Spotters - Disgusting creatures
Remember 'spotters' where once kids just like you & I:-) Their interest didn't go as far as some of us, IE pilots. Probably over the years as security has gone nuts they have become somwehat alienated towards the way we pilots tend to be sceptical as to their intetions etc.
I can't recall many years ago 'spotters' being as pushy as they at times appear to be now. Spotters had the ability to wonder around an most airports once & mostly they where harmless with that 'kid' excitment. Like all forms of transport there are those that do & those that like to 'watch', voyeurism perhaps. Lets face it most humans like to 'watch' something or other, some just take it a little more seriously than others that's all
I'm of the opinion that if I come across someone whom appears to be keen about aviation I promote it even in a small way by waving to them thru the fence
'Deaf' if the person/s have yr 'qualifications' as stated then do you really think talking aviation is gunna happen?
Wmk2
I can't recall many years ago 'spotters' being as pushy as they at times appear to be now. Spotters had the ability to wonder around an most airports once & mostly they where harmless with that 'kid' excitment. Like all forms of transport there are those that do & those that like to 'watch', voyeurism perhaps. Lets face it most humans like to 'watch' something or other, some just take it a little more seriously than others that's all
I'm of the opinion that if I come across someone whom appears to be keen about aviation I promote it even in a small way by waving to them thru the fence
'Deaf' if the person/s have yr 'qualifications' as stated then do you really think talking aviation is gunna happen?
Wmk2
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Wally,
I've not lost that point, but when it comes to abusing somebody because they didn't get their shot, or wandering out onto the operating areas, there's clearly something going wrong.
At least we haven't heard of any of the low end of the gene pool jumping in something and thinking, "I wonder what happens when I push this button" or "What if I flick that big red switch". I'm sure there's been a few flat batteries, but it seems nobody (yet) has a story of "one of these clowns managed to get it started and then pi55ed off and left it".
And don't get me started on the DOTARS rubbish for immobilising your aircraft.....
I've not lost that point, but when it comes to abusing somebody because they didn't get their shot, or wandering out onto the operating areas, there's clearly something going wrong.
At least we haven't heard of any of the low end of the gene pool jumping in something and thinking, "I wonder what happens when I push this button" or "What if I flick that big red switch". I'm sure there's been a few flat batteries, but it seems nobody (yet) has a story of "one of these clowns managed to get it started and then pi55ed off and left it".
And don't get me started on the DOTARS rubbish for immobilising your aircraft.....
I hear what yr saying 'Freewheel' & I understand but we (pilots & the likes) are for more professional than some (arrogant spotters) are so hence we act accordingly, or should do even in the face of stupidity.
Agree about DOTARS though, immobilising an A/C, like locking the front door of yr house, that action is stop the 'honest' thieves out there, if they want to get in they will.
Wmk2
Agree about DOTARS though, immobilising an A/C, like locking the front door of yr house, that action is stop the 'honest' thieves out there, if they want to get in they will.
Wmk2
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Its the train spotters you have to watch your back with, they like to pelt things at you if you dare get in there way!
I'm lucky to be in the industry and get to spot all day long & take the odd photo or heaps. I have spotted at a lot of airports also and haven't come across any bad ones yet and most go out of there way to show me the good photo spots. I always wear my ASIC (even land side) so everyone knows who I am and that i pose no risk. I am sure there are some freaks out there, but i haven't seem them as yet luckily. Have seen and delt with some rude pilots in my time though.
True, but if they are not doing any harm whats the problem? If they were airside and starting giving you grief then thats another story of course.
I'm lucky to be in the industry and get to spot all day long & take the odd photo or heaps. I have spotted at a lot of airports also and haven't come across any bad ones yet and most go out of there way to show me the good photo spots. I always wear my ASIC (even land side) so everyone knows who I am and that i pose no risk.
I am sure there are some freaks out there, but i haven't seem them as yet luckily. Have seen and delt with some rude pilots in my time though.
Aerodromes are for aircraft, not fecking spotters.
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I guess one way of evening up the score a little if afflicted by ‘Spottus Obnixious Maximus’ (the greater or spotted spotter) is to wander out to the car park, take a few snaps of his 1993 Camry (be sure to include a clear number plate shot for posting and details of all the aerials that are screwed and clamped all over it), stick your head in the window of his car to check out the selection of VHF band scanners, needlessly point out that you can’t see his VHF radio telephone installation certification clearly displayed, complain that you can’t get a decent clear shot of the nodding dog on the hat shelf with his big fat momma’s head in the way and will he tell her to get out so that you can, ask him if he works for Al Kayda, point out that his tyres need rotating and when he bores you with the fact that he only just had it on jacks in the driveway rotating all the tyres like he does every 60 days tell him that is not what you meant,…. He should be in the car and rotating all the tyres so that he is moving further away from you at every moment……..bloody Muppets
Mind you they’re not all like that at all, there are some really great blokes that are spotters, it’s just the 98% of morons that stuff it up for the rest of them!!!
HD
What sort of spotters will there be next? - Taxi spotters, that would be just right up the alley of some twits....."look there's yellow falcon on LPG with a boot ad".....pause..."I better get a picture of the number on the side and put it on the Interweb"
Mind you they’re not all like that at all, there are some really great blokes that are spotters, it’s just the 98% of morons that stuff it up for the rest of them!!!
HD
What sort of spotters will there be next? - Taxi spotters, that would be just right up the alley of some twits....."look there's yellow falcon on LPG with a boot ad".....pause..."I better get a picture of the number on the side and put it on the Interweb"
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It takes all sorts.
I've met some good blokes who share my love of aeroplanes and I've met some real roosters (Can't fly but scream abuse at the world from the safety of the chook yard (or computer))
I think what gives pilots the the you know whats, is the w*nkers who want to talk to them as equals on flying and aeroplanes, as well as the ones who think their photos are so sacred and have to be paid for.
I always have the pleasure of walking up to a good spot wearing my red card to get the exact right angle without the need of a zoom lens, when I see some supercilious twit up his ladder, trying not to overballance with the weight of the shotgun on his camera, specially when I know he is a real champion rooster.
Roosters make it easy to spot... they post photos of themselves on the net.
I've met some good blokes who share my love of aeroplanes and I've met some real roosters (Can't fly but scream abuse at the world from the safety of the chook yard (or computer))
I think what gives pilots the the you know whats, is the w*nkers who want to talk to them as equals on flying and aeroplanes, as well as the ones who think their photos are so sacred and have to be paid for.
I always have the pleasure of walking up to a good spot wearing my red card to get the exact right angle without the need of a zoom lens, when I see some supercilious twit up his ladder, trying not to overballance with the weight of the shotgun on his camera, specially when I know he is a real champion rooster.
Roosters make it easy to spot... they post photos of themselves on the net.
I have an enduring image as a student PPL at YMMB looking at a flock of spotters under the North West windsock, taking photos including me in the little C150.
I just don't understand the attraction.
I just don't understand the attraction.
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I always have the pleasure of walking up to a good spot wearing my red card to get the exact right angle without the need of a zoom lens, when I see some supercilious twit up his ladder, trying not to overballance with the weight of the shotgun on his camera,
The best bit is when they fall off the ladder right as an aircraft taxi's by.
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Such unusual creatures and very annoying at the best of times. I'm yet to meet a polite one!
This'll never happen in Australia!
A little to keen maybe?
Manchester Airport knows how to put spotters at a safe distance to aircraft
Damn it where's my rifle!
An all to common site near where I work.
The "Sniper" spotter
Umm....do you have your ASIC card?
Holy crap, they've made a computer game out of it now!!! "The Aerosexual"
This is very interesting though
After 9/11, plane-spotter hobbyists are being watched themselves — JSCMS
This'll never happen in Australia!
A little to keen maybe?
Manchester Airport knows how to put spotters at a safe distance to aircraft
Damn it where's my rifle!
An all to common site near where I work.
The "Sniper" spotter
Umm....do you have your ASIC card?
Holy crap, they've made a computer game out of it now!!! "The Aerosexual"
This is very interesting though
After 9/11, plane-spotter hobbyists are being watched themselves — JSCMS
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I've only met two spotters, one I worked with and the other I had to arrest for pleasuring himself right under final in the full monty. Made for an interesting brief (get it) when the charge was heard. (That was in Canberra just under those trees offset from final right near the road)
Cheers
FGS
Cheers
FGS
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I have an enduring image as a student PPL at YMMB looking at a flock of spotters under the North West windsock, taking photos including me in the little C150.
I just don't understand the attraction.
I just don't understand the attraction.
Cummonnnn, who hasn't pestered their parents to take them to the aerodrome to look at the aeroplanes. Some kids just don't grow up
.
Collecting photoes of various airframes and getting them on the web really is no different to any collection type of hobby. Mind you, if they do turn out to be numpties, just smile and turn around and go your merry way. just leave them to whatever planet they are on.
Have come across some interesting characters but most all of them are quite polite...they ARE after information on whatever you are driving. It helps them with their collection. for example, who here hasn't checked the records of RAAF A-numbers for a bit of history on something they may have discovered at an aerodrome. All compliments of "plane-spotters" It's is all history, if it isn't recorded, it may as well not have happened.
. Collecting photoes of various airframes and getting them on the web really is no different to any collection type of hobby. Mind you, if they do turn out to be numpties, just smile and turn around and go your merry way. just leave them to whatever planet they are on.
Have come across some interesting characters but most all of them are quite polite...they ARE after information on whatever you are driving. It helps them with their collection. for example, who here hasn't checked the records of RAAF A-numbers for a bit of history on something they may have discovered at an aerodrome. All compliments of "plane-spotters" It's is all history, if it isn't recorded, it may as well not have happened.
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Critical Reynolds No
"Disgusting creatures"?
No I don't buy that for one second. Sorry but you are displaying the classic symptoms of a closet spotter in denial. Your protestations are much too "loud" to fool us.
I recon you have an anorak at home somewhere. You were going out spotting yourself when you came across other spotters and one had taken your usual spot! Come on, admit it!.
I am NOT a spotter, ya hear!!
"Disgusting creatures"?
No I don't buy that for one second. Sorry but you are displaying the classic symptoms of a closet spotter in denial. Your protestations are much too "loud" to fool us.
I recon you have an anorak at home somewhere. You were going out spotting yourself when you came across other spotters and one had taken your usual spot! Come on, admit it!.
I am NOT a spotter, ya hear!!
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I may be wrong with this, but I seem to remember that it was 'spotters' that rumbled that august organisation, the CIA and worked out the movements of the 'Rendition' flights.
I enjoy flying aircraft, the spotters enjoy photographing them.
To each His own.
tipsy
I enjoy flying aircraft, the spotters enjoy photographing them.
To each His own.
tipsy
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... ah dear O dear .... HarleyD ....
.... great post!! Many moons ago at a far away distant Regional Airport ... a shallow gene'd nob and his equally shallow ol' man pulled up across the road from the A/D in the Bongo van (4 wheeled version) for a gork (nothing highly techical in tow like a camera ... soooo no not a 'spottur')....
Little ol' me did not see 'Jimbob' jump the fence, wander across the active, through a then unlocked gate, into the terminal, buy a packet of chips and a drink, then wander back through the gate, pausing briefly at the very edge of the big long black drag strip, just adjacent the big white square boxes painted on said drag strip, waiting to watch a big ol' plane to do a howley and smoke up da wheels goin past ...
Suffice to say the local law enforcement were none to impressed with Jimbob and his ol' man Jethro Metho!
Not too many Bongo vans got a police escort outa town ... they did .... after some hours of errrm 'safety signage' and 'you dam'd fool hick' education !!!