Ask nicely guys!
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Politeness PAYS...
Got to sit in the T33,C47 and B17 cockpits at Duxford....with an apology...that the drew of the B29 had gone to lunch...so unfortunately couldnt get inside.
Also asked nicely at Llanberis, to look around the Loco sheds. The look on the [train] Spotters faces was a joy. The chappie showing us round said...
"All they have to do, is what you did.Ask [politely]"
Got to sit in the T33,C47 and B17 cockpits at Duxford....with an apology...that the drew of the B29 had gone to lunch...so unfortunately couldnt get inside.
Also asked nicely at Llanberis, to look around the Loco sheds. The look on the [train] Spotters faces was a joy. The chappie showing us round said...
"All they have to do, is what you did.Ask [politely]"
Join Date: Jan 2009
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As others have said being polite and friendly works wonders. A couple of my own experiences are as follows. Many years ago early morning fog across the south of England had lots of the early morning arrivals diverting North and Teesside (now DTV) received a couple of BA 747's. Trying to take pictures through the fence into a bright morning sun was impossible. I was having a chat with one of the Security Chaps and explained my problem. "Walk round to the Departures Gate in the Terminal" and meet me there he said. Minutes later I was escorted through Departures and out onto the Apron, underneath BA747 Sir Francis Drake and allowed to take my Pictures with the Sun in my back !!.
Another time my Wife and I where at the Canadian Warplane Heritage at Hamilton, Canada. It was a quiet time, mid week and off season. The Lancaster was in the hangar on Jacks with a couple of Engines removed. We where behind the Rope Barrier taking pictures when one of the Mechanics heard our English voices and asked where we were from. When we told him we had stared our journey from RAF Middleton St George (Teesside Airport) the barriers where lifted and minutes later we where in the Lancaster Cockpit. (bit of a struggle) Brilliant Experience. Later we where treated to Lunch and Coffee in the Canteen.
It pays to be nice, friendly and courteous.
Another time my Wife and I where at the Canadian Warplane Heritage at Hamilton, Canada. It was a quiet time, mid week and off season. The Lancaster was in the hangar on Jacks with a couple of Engines removed. We where behind the Rope Barrier taking pictures when one of the Mechanics heard our English voices and asked where we were from. When we told him we had stared our journey from RAF Middleton St George (Teesside Airport) the barriers where lifted and minutes later we where in the Lancaster Cockpit. (bit of a struggle) Brilliant Experience. Later we where treated to Lunch and Coffee in the Canteen.
It pays to be nice, friendly and courteous.
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Amother time at Gatwick, using politeness and good manners, I was let onto a Lear Jet and sat in the pilots seat! That was awesome for a 14 year old!
Sad to say in these days of (rightly) enhanced security this is unlikely to be the norm...
Sad to say in these days of (rightly) enhanced security this is unlikely to be the norm...
So, it isn't impossible, fortunately.
Many years ago asked the air mechs at Portland open day could we have a look at their Lynx in the main hangar, they said sorry not allowed. OK sez we, thanks any way.
We turned to go and a shout said, ok come on in. Saw every one in there,
thanks again Senior Service.
Be polite, you never know
We turned to go and a shout said, ok come on in. Saw every one in there,
thanks again Senior Service.
Be polite, you never know
Last edited by scarecrow450; 26th Mar 2010 at 22:19. Reason: missed something out
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Dead right.
As a pilot I'm appalled at the behaviour of some visitors. Most are good guys, but there are a few that don't seem to understand that my aircraft is owned by me and my group.
It costs nothing to be polite, yet some are amongst the rudest and pushiest people I've ever met.
Still, the worst I've ever met was the 'spotter from hell' at Kemble who threatened a 6-year old.
As a pilot I'm appalled at the behaviour of some visitors. Most are good guys, but there are a few that don't seem to understand that my aircraft is owned by me and my group.
It costs nothing to be polite, yet some are amongst the rudest and pushiest people I've ever met.
Still, the worst I've ever met was the 'spotter from hell' at Kemble who threatened a 6-year old.
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Join Date: Feb 2002
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Most of the replies to this thread have indicated an interest in actual aircraft and flying. Spotters who I have shown round our glider fleet didn't seem to care remotely what the reg was painted on as long as they saw the letters.
Am I missing something? They're welcome to see the registrations (if they ask politely) but I've been willing to tell them the glider type, its history, tell them how gliding works (ok I'm a fanatic too) but they seemed completely uninterested.
Each to his own, but could anyone enlighten me?
Am I missing something? They're welcome to see the registrations (if they ask politely) but I've been willing to tell them the glider type, its history, tell them how gliding works (ok I'm a fanatic too) but they seemed completely uninterested.
Each to his own, but could anyone enlighten me?
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As a spotter / aviation enthusiast of many years I have a keen interest in aviation generally, and would have thought that "plane spotting" went hand in hand with an interest in aviation.
However it seems there are "box tickers" who just collect regs for the sake of collecting?
However it seems there are "box tickers" who just collect regs for the sake of collecting?
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Mystery to me Astir 8, I would have thought that an interest in the registrations would have indicated an interest in aviation overall, but I certainly came across a few fellow spotters who had no real interest other than crossing the number off. They were in the minority though.
I can still remember my first visit to Lasham in 1978 - think it happened to be the Nationals - I spent quite a lot of time peering into cockpits trying to spot the BGA cert! My glider identification has never been that brilliant though...
Despite a very early gliding background, it was also the first time I became aware of the speed of the final glide and water dumping - happy memories of several sailplanes whistling across the peri track at not many feet, apparently under steam!
I can still remember my first visit to Lasham in 1978 - think it happened to be the Nationals - I spent quite a lot of time peering into cockpits trying to spot the BGA cert! My glider identification has never been that brilliant though...
Despite a very early gliding background, it was also the first time I became aware of the speed of the final glide and water dumping - happy memories of several sailplanes whistling across the peri track at not many feet, apparently under steam!
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Thinking about it, anyone involved in PPrune is going to have a bit more interest in aviation than lists of reg numbers. Still puzzles me.
But then my wife & I pass the time on road trips to & from Scotland by counting Eddie Stobard lorries!
But then my wife & I pass the time on road trips to & from Scotland by counting Eddie Stobard lorries!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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counting Eddie Stobard lorries!
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Yup, I've found myself doing checking names too from a few months back. Aren't they supposed to be the cleanest trucks on the roads?
(Official disclaimer: Other operators are available with clean vehicles for hire..
)
(Official disclaimer: Other operators are available with clean vehicles for hire..
)
Beacon Outbound
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We play a game I call 'spot the spotter'. I can usually identify a spotter when they turn up in the car park, long before they have identified themselves as such (assuming they intended to do so in the first place).
Any other 'spotter spotters' out here who can identify the distinguishing features of a spotter?
Any other 'spotter spotters' out here who can identify the distinguishing features of a spotter?
Large man with handlebar moustache to small (spotter) boy:
"What are you doing there?"
Nervous spotty spotter:
"Everyone's got to be somewhere!"
With apologies to messrs Seagoon & Eccles
"What are you doing there?"
Nervous spotty spotter:
"Everyone's got to be somewhere!"
With apologies to messrs Seagoon & Eccles
