Heathrow

[cdiver2]

I find it amazing one person doe's this at the St Petersburg/Clearwater airport and is surrounded by police. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19045365

[JohnB57]

Heathrow is a commercial airport and sees very little, if any, military traffic. St Pete's is joint civil/military, hence the increased sensitivity.

[cdiver2]

Originally Posted by JohnB57

Heathrow is a commercial airport and sees very little, if any, military traffic. St Pete's is joint civil/military, hence the increased sensitivity.

Hi John I realize it is a joint civil/military airport, they fly over my home a number of times a day. I am on the north-south take off/landing approach.
I dont think a major civilan airport is any less of a target than a military one.

Looking at this from a terrorist view I think a 747 with 524 passengers on final approach to Heathrow would be more desirable to them than a C130 with crew of 6 at Clearwater.
I think we (the general public) underestimate just how smart these terrorist are. its not just the number of killed but other affects as well. Can you imagine the turmoil if Heathrow was shut down for say a week after a liner was shot down on approach, it would be remembered for a life time by most of the world just like 9/11. Clearwatwater would be forgotten by most in time, except for family and those living in the area.

[JohnB57]

Hi - sorry, don't know your name!

Things have changed somewhat in this country and most major airports have viewing areas for keen aviationists and photographers. The view is that the overwhelming majority of people are honest hobbyists and far from being a risk, provide additional security through "eyes and ears", which is sensible and practical, as formally policing the peripheries of large airports etc is well nigh impossible. Even certain military airbases here have viewing areas, however these are usually secured during high alert periods.

A more recent problem here in the UK, has been railway (railroad) station staff getting snotty with photographers, often denying them access on "Prevention of Terrorism" grounds, but again things have changed and with certain safety conditions, people are usually allowed to enjoy their hobby pretty freely and encouraged to keep their eye on things.

It's eleven years since we were in St Petes, the week before 9/11 and I think that would probably have been the last few days that security was a little more relaxed.

[cdiver2]

Originally Posted by JohnB57

Hi - sorry, don't know your name!

Things have changed somewhat in this country and most major airports have viewing areas for keen aviationists and photographers. The view is that the overwhelming majority of people are honest hobbyists and far from being a risk, provide additional security through "eyes and ears", which is sensible and practical, as formally policing the peripheries of large airports etc is well nigh impossible. Even certain military airbases here have viewing areas, however these are usually secured during high alert periods.

A more recent problem here in the UK, has been railway (railroad) station staff getting snotty with photographers, often denying them access on "Prevention of Terrorism" grounds, but again things have changed and with certain safety conditions, people are usually allowed to enjoy their hobby pretty freely and encouraged to keep their eye on things.

It's eleven years since we were in St Petes, the week before 9/11 and I think that would probably have been the last few days that security was a little more relaxed.

John I could not agree with you more on this

The view is that the overwhelming majority of people are honest hobbyists and far from being a risk, provide additional security through "eyes and ears", which is sensible and practical, as formally policing the peripheries of large airports etc is well nigh impossible.

I do not know of any US airports that promote a public viewing area and as you said if they did a lot more eyes/ears on the ground.
In my case I was the only person on a large plot of open public ground next to a public x road at the end of the runway, me on top of a six foot ladder with a big white lens in full view of the tower. They used the C103 as bait to keep me there, running it up to the end of the runway and holding there until the police arrived. Now if I had some dastardly plan in mind I think that would have been my golden opportunity.
I honestly dont even think they know there are hobbyist photographers interested in aircraft/trains etc whereas in the UK it is known and understood.

My name is David and you are not going to believe this.....from Burley-in-Wharfdale

[JohnB57]

Originally Posted by cdiver2

My name is David and you are not going to believe this.....from Burley-in-Wharfdale

It never ceases to amaze me what a small world it is David - smashing to meet you!

I know Burley very well. My family are from Bradford so as a kid it was a regular Sunday afternoon route for us from the Dales, via Harry Ramsden's of course! Harry's closed quite recently. End of an era. Also, I spent a long period post music college trunking cheese down from Settle to Normanton, prior to the by-pass so right through the centre of the village.

One of the military fields with a viewing area is RAF Leeming - well worth a ride out if you're over here. You'll know the "viewing area" at LBA of course, still well used and still as smooth...

I wonder what took you over there. Missionary work maybe?

Have a great weekend!

[cdiver2]

Originally Posted by JohnB57

It never ceases to amaze me what a small world it is David - smashing to meet you!

I know Burley very well. My family are from Bradford so as a kid it was a regular Sunday afternoon route for us from the Dales, via Harry Ramsden's of course! Harry's closed quite recently. End of an era. Also, I spent a long period post music college trunking cheese down from Settle to Normanton, prior to the by-pass so right through the centre of the village.

One of the military fields with a viewing area is RAF Leeming - well worth a ride out if you're over here. You'll know the "viewing area" at LBA of course, still well used and still as smooth...

I wonder what took you over there. Missionary work maybe?

Have a great weekend!

John a very small world in deed I was born in Shipley, lived in Shipley and Bradford (Heaton) for a few years before moving to Burley. My x worked at Harrys in the 60s era. Those were the days she would bring me home specials that were left at the end of the day.
I certainly do remember LBA but I think it has grown a lot from my days, I sometimes get lost when I come back for a visit.
I would love to do the Mach loop but I think these old bones would not make it up the hill. I remember when I was in the army doing a map reading exercise when we got temporarily misplaced, we stopped at a farm house to get our bearings and asked where xxx mountain was pointing to the map the old guy said that's not a mountain that's a hill
I am in the States on Her Majesty's Secret Service, keeping an eye on the colonials
(its a joke keep your hair on guys).
I take it you were in St Pete on holiday, what did you think of it?

[JohnB57]

Hi David. Surname "Bond" I presume?

The world gets smaller. My grandparents lived just up Haworth Road, technically Heaton. Grandma worked as a cleaner at the nursery school. Cousins all went to Belle Vue, but would be seven or so years your junior.

We enjoyed our holidays in Florida. Last time, in 2001, we had a week in Key West followed by two weeks in timeshare just south of Crystal Beach. Took a couple of rides down to your part of the world including a look round The Pier, which didn't take long I recall!

Anyhoo, keep up the good work representing the Motherland and hope our paths cross again!

ATB - John.