Big Brother is watching and listening....
It takes about 65 departments to get an airliner airborne, but there's a ton of other organizations working and lurking behind the scenes. To borrow a phrase and concept from George Orwell's book, Nineteen Eighty-Four, "big brother is watching," there proves to be many 'behind the scene' organizations ensuring a safe airport environment. One such inconspicuous group located at Toronto's Lester Pearson is "Airport Watch." This group goes beyond the "tail spotting" groups. You'll see them wearing, "issued photo ID cards which is to be carried with them while at YYZ." The members have also received 'Airport Watch'caps and jackets which helps identify them to authorities. Many will also be sporting a camera and probably a scanner.
Follower Ryan C explains:
YYZ Airport Watch is an organization that works in cooperation with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, Peel Regional Police and the RCMP. We have all had detailed criminal background checks and are registered with photo ID cards as proof of membership. Basically, we are a group (about 130 active members) of aviation enthusiasts who have taken on some extra responsibility around the airport, and in return we get some additional access, organized tours and events, and less trouble when spotting and photographing. Members are expected to record and report anything dangerous, suspicious or problematic as we travel the perimeter. This includes things like reporting FOD or wildlife in dangerous areas, questionable behaviour by people in the vicinity of the airport, etc... We have built an excellent relationship with the GTAA, and in fact we had a member recognized with an award from the GTAA after he reported people feeding geese directly in line with the approach for a runway. Anyway, rather than trying to explain it in an email, feel free to have a look at our website. There is much more detail there (www.airportwatchcanada.com). There are also several other chapters in Canada, and a few in other countries as well.
Below are a few pictures of departments and events Ryan and his group have visited and photographed. Maybe this group is for you or maybe you'd like to set up a similar group at your airport.
I'm glad to hear Ryan and his group, Airport Watch, are part of a network keeping an eye and listening watch on things at CYYZ.
Captain Doug
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4 comments:
Very cool post. Speaking of plane spotting, I will be outside looking up at the heavens today at about 4pm to try and catch the A380 coming into Pearson. My shop is under Rwy 24L (or R) approach, where, I think, the glide-slope tracks to final approach. The gears get lowered usually right after it passes over my shop. Good times!
Great article Doug.
I am one of the main organizers of a similar group in YYC, there are several in Canada (including new charters in YVR, YEG) as well as existing charters in YYZ, YOW and YYC. These chapters have a very clear mandate of Observe, Record and Report and are not to become involved directly in any security issues.
The YYC group has a diverse membership, including people involved in the industry (WS pilots, operations people, dispatchers, etc) and some who are just involved because of their love for airplanes.
If you have any further questions about the program in YYC, or any other locations, please do not hesitate to ask.
Brgds,
YYC Dispatcher
Lavi. I taxied by the A380 this evening. It was parked at or near gate 172. Our gate was 136. Did three legs today. Started off in YYC (Calgary) to YVR (Vancouver), over to YEG (Edmonton) and touched down tonight in YYZ at 7:40 p.m. They were landing on 05 and 06R so you may have missed it.
I see Air Canada was in the news today contesting Emirate's invasion into Canada. Stay tuned on that front.
Doug
YYC Dispatcher. I over-nighted in YYC last night. Thanks for your input. I didn't realize there were so many similar groups. Good for you guys!
Again, thanks for the post.
Captain Doug
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