RUDAS,
It seems there is a lot of disdain amongst pilots for spotters,they seem to see them as kind of sad geeks
I don't know where you got the above impression, but I think you are wrong. I have always been a 'spotter', I am proud to have been one now, and always will be. I fly 747-400s now, and always felt a bond to spotters! I don't bother with regs.
Now as for train spotters.....no mercy!