Originally Posted by
Sunfish
I keep wondering why all those "spotters' vantage points at/near airports aren't closed.
Aircraft have always attracted people and I expect they always will.
It would be a grossly ineffective use of police / security manpower to try to move on all and sundry from the perimeter of airports and beyond.
Approved viewing locations are a positive step towards bringing this this task within managable proportions through concentrating the spectators within limited areas. As "No One" points out the "rubber neck" brigade (of which I am one) are a good source for reporting any out of place activity. This is recognised by several police authorities within the UK who maintain formal programmes with the "spotter / photographer etc" communities to this end.