Planespotting at O'Hare: The Security Aspect
August 3, 2009 1:01 PM Subscribe
What should we be prepared with if a friend and I want to go plane spotting at O'Hare?
I've got ideas on where we can watch planes from. As we check these locations out, it may arouse the suspicion of authorities who may come pay us a visit.
I plan on us taking our IDs, a camera and being honest about our motives with any security personnel we may encounter. Is this a good strategy? Does anyone have experience with plane spotting at O'Hare?
I've got ideas on where we can watch planes from. As we check these locations out, it may arouse the suspicion of authorities who may come pay us a visit.
I plan on us taking our IDs, a camera and being honest about our motives with any security personnel we may encounter. Is this a good strategy? Does anyone have experience with plane spotting at O'Hare?
Sorry for the stupid question, but do you need to be on the airport grounds for good planespotting? Because if you just sit in rush hour traffic on 294, you will have any number of planes fly directly over your heads during the interminably-long time it takes to get from Touhy to Irving. And you could probably see what magazines the passengers are reading.
Also, the strip on River Road, south of 90, is right under a flight path (inbound). Lots of hotels, and the convention center. Try and get into the parking lot of the Rosemont Theater (there is a big movie theater there too). You could probably sit for days in that lot.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:31 PM on August 3, 2009
Also, the strip on River Road, south of 90, is right under a flight path (inbound). Lots of hotels, and the convention center. Try and get into the parking lot of the Rosemont Theater (there is a big movie theater there too). You could probably sit for days in that lot.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:31 PM on August 3, 2009
Just FYI, there is a new runway where points C and D on your map are. So you probably can't watch from there anymore.
Also FYI, it seems the usual approach into ORD is from the right-hand side on your maps, to runways 27L/R (and the new one, I think it is just "28", but I could be wrong). I can actually get a pretty good view of arriving aircraft from the lakefront up between Belmont and Montrose. But obviously you will want to be closer :)
posted by jrockway at 1:39 PM on August 3, 2009
Also FYI, it seems the usual approach into ORD is from the right-hand side on your maps, to runways 27L/R (and the new one, I think it is just "28", but I could be wrong). I can actually get a pretty good view of arriving aircraft from the lakefront up between Belmont and Montrose. But obviously you will want to be closer :)
posted by jrockway at 1:39 PM on August 3, 2009
Irving Park Road south of the airport is a great place. Just pull off the road here. They go right over your head.
posted by goethean at 2:24 PM on August 3, 2009
posted by goethean at 2:24 PM on August 3, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
More advice here and here.
posted by mdonley at 1:26 PM on August 3, 2009