Air Tankers at Longview Regional

[Grummpy1]

First photos I have posted in years. I took a few pics of the fire fighter planes at our airport last week, Longview Regional Airport. Now remember I sold all my photo equipment a few years ago to pay medical bills and all I had to take these photos was a $40 pocket camera, a Fujifilm. The color is a little off along with the contrast but for such a cheap camera I guess it did ok. I'll try to post some more later. Also remember I was on an active taxiway so I didn't have a lot of choice on my positioning.

[Grummpy1]

Heres a few more.

[Grummpy1]

Just notice I posted as an NC but feel free to give any advice you want. The little camera I was using had two settings, On and Off. So there wasn't much I could do other than put more distance between me and the planes and that could have meant being hit buy another plane.

[snydersnapshots]

Hey...it's the photographer, not the camera. Just because my wife has nice pots and pans doesn't mean she can cook! (Just kidding Honey!!) I see nothing wrong with these at all--I like the compositions.

How did you talk them into letting you get the cockpit shot?

[Grummpy1]

Originally Posted by snydersnapshots

Hey...it's the photographer, not the camera. Just because my wife has nice pots and pans doesn't mean she can cook! (Just kidding Honey!!) I see nothing wrong with these at all--I like the compositions.

How did you talk them into letting you get the cockpit shot?

It doesn't look like the color is off to you? Maybe I'm just blind. I am partially color blind though.

I work for TSA (let the flaming begin) and we pretty much get free run of the airport. The pilots are more than happy to show off their planes but getting out to the area where that are is what prevents most people. You have to have an airport security badge to get out where they are loading and refueling. Plus we're such a small airport that everone knows everyone here.

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by Grummpy1

It doesn't look like the color is off to you? Maybe I'm just blind. I am partially color blind though.

I work for TSA (let the flaming begin) and we pretty much get free run of the airport. The pilots are more than happy to show off their planes but getting out to the area where that are is what prevents most people. You have to have an airport security badge to get out where they are loading and refueling. Plus we're such a small airport that everone knows everyone here.

I have to agree that the color is off a little bit.

Having a SIDA badge is a great way to get out and see the airplanes. I've often thought getting a job working with airport operations would be a great deal. You get to drive the ops vehicle around, do runway inspections, and generally have the run of the airport. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

I go through security several times a month and I have to say that 99.99% of the TSA folks I deal with are completely professional. I've had VERY few problems with any of them. Plus...any TSA agent who wants to get out on the airport and look at airplanes is a notch up in my book!

[Grummpy1]

Originally Posted by snydersnapshots

I have to agree that the color is off a little bit.

Having a SIDA badge is a great way to get out and see the airplanes. I've often thought getting a job working with airport operations would be a great deal. You get to drive the ops vehicle around, do runway inspections, and generally have the run of the airport. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

I go through security several times a month and I have to say that 99.99% of the TSA folks I deal with are completely professional. I've had VERY few problems with any of them. Plus...any TSA agent who wants to get out on the airport and look at airplanes is a notch up in my book!

I apprciate that! But I have to confess there are some TSA officers that have no need dealing with the public. Working with passengers will teach you to be thick skinned and let insults roll off your back like water off a ducks back. One thing I have learned is when a passenger is all pissed off and trying to start an arguement all I have to do is smile and be as polite as possible. They can't argue with someone who won't argue. Plus most of the time as long as I am polite and respectful to them they do the same in return.

Yes, getting to walk anywhere on the airport grounds is fun, I get to work earley and walk around for the exercise. We're a small Cat III airport so we don't get as many big planes as Love Field or DFW but we do get some unusual planes like the Antonov, C-130, Blackhawks and even the space shuttle once. We have a 10,500ft runway so we were an aternate landing area for the space shuttle. I just posted some more photos in Open Talk under Wildfires thread if your interested.

The color is off. The red and the yellow is way to strong in the photos.

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by Grummpy1

One thing I have learned is when a passenger is all pissed off and trying to start an arguement all I have to do is smile and be as polite as possible. They can't argue with someone who won't argue. Plus most of the time as long as I am polite and respectful to them they do the same in return.

We've got some flight attendants that could stand to learn that lesson!