bigblockz8
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2011
- Messages
- 429
- Display Name
Display name:
Gore
I was at Freeway Airport as usual today. I decided that before I head home I'd get some pics for my aviation management class project. I'm focusing on Cessna's role in aviation. I', taking the pics and then an older gentleman walks up and asks "can I help you?" (This is a small airport, I am in the grass tie down area.) I introduce myself and tell him what I'm doing and why. He asks, "Do you own an aircraft? You aren't allowed here." I told him no but I am not touching the aircraft nor am I near the taxiway or runway. He immediately says "why are you even at an airport you have no business here." I was offended but gave him the benefit of the doubt. I just hope he didn't intend to seem racist but whatever.
He then asks why I'm taking pictures of "all of the planes." I explain that I'm working on a paper about Cessna yada yada. He asks about the Piper's. I explain that I need to have pictures of comparable aircraft. He isn't "buying" my story and claims that it's fishy. He asks if I have permission. Here's the fun part!
I say, "Yes sir on multiple occassions the desk staff as well as the owner of the airport has given me permission. I also have a valid TSA endorsement, valid driver's license, valid student ID, valid amtrak ID, and valid 1st class medical and SPC." He asks," What date did you get this so called permission?" I reply with, "many times and from Stan, during the pig roast this past June." He then says, "Okay whatever pal let's go inside and find Stan (the owner). You don't belong here period." Again I take that as in this area, not in aviation or the airport. Stuff can get confused and I'm not one to how do they say, bust a cap in yo arse or the like. I tell him that I have a pocket knife so fyi (don't need trouble) as we walk into the FBO. Inside he tells the gentleman at the desk to "keep on eye on him" and then looks for Stan. Stan has left already but he finds four mechanics and looks for the maintenance manager. The CFI there (a friend) tells him I'm cool, the mechanics say the same, and the desk guy says, once again, I am well known and have permission! Then comes the best part. One mechanic says "he's actually an apprentice here."
I find out that he told them he has a shady black teen casing aircraft. I know that we have a radio theft problem but why did he single me out? I'm not implying that it was over skin color but if you see a white gentleman taking pictures with a nice $3,000 Nikon DSLR (actually asked me who's camera it was
) you don't think anything of it. Oh he's a pro photographer or something. However I don't mind if that was his reasoning. If I owned one I'd be glad he's looking out for all of us. I understand that airplanes and avionics are not cheap but he did not have to be so rude and nasty. He did call the police however.
I was done there for the day and was on my way out anyway. I went inside and we all had a laugh over what just happened and how ****ed the guy was that I got off. I believe it was the same guy that called the police last winter when I was there moving planes at 7am (dark) with another "black" gentleman (Same exact car). As I left the airport three PGPD squads passed me on the opposite side of the street. They sure did turn into the airport.
This is the one rude,nasty, unwelcoming pilot that I have met. For that matter one of the few potentially racially motivated watchdogs as well. I think he was racist because he assumed that I was the one that has been stealing the comm's and gps's. This is a diverse airport. You can see all the colors of the rainbow here. I hear this has happened before but regardless, racists are racists. His color doesn't mean a thing. Neither does mine.
I'm starting my apprenticeship on Wednesday and I am excited. Might service his airplane since I've seen it in the shop there before. I'm not going to be any less professional because of this though.
I honestly find it amusing. Especially how ****ed he got when they asked what's wrong and said "oh yeah that's Greg. He's here, he takes pictures, he flies here, going to work here." Never seen a guy so red
Have a great long weekend! Get in some safe and fun flying!
(On a side note the pictures won't be commercially used, only kept for the project and personal archives, and I generally ask owners (when the bird is at its tie down) if they want me to blur out the N#. In the air it's free game! 99.9% that I've met LOVE to have additional pics of their baby.)
He then asks why I'm taking pictures of "all of the planes." I explain that I'm working on a paper about Cessna yada yada. He asks about the Piper's. I explain that I need to have pictures of comparable aircraft. He isn't "buying" my story and claims that it's fishy. He asks if I have permission. Here's the fun part!
I say, "Yes sir on multiple occassions the desk staff as well as the owner of the airport has given me permission. I also have a valid TSA endorsement, valid driver's license, valid student ID, valid amtrak ID, and valid 1st class medical and SPC." He asks," What date did you get this so called permission?" I reply with, "many times and from Stan, during the pig roast this past June." He then says, "Okay whatever pal let's go inside and find Stan (the owner). You don't belong here period." Again I take that as in this area, not in aviation or the airport. Stuff can get confused and I'm not one to how do they say, bust a cap in yo arse or the like. I tell him that I have a pocket knife so fyi (don't need trouble) as we walk into the FBO. Inside he tells the gentleman at the desk to "keep on eye on him" and then looks for Stan. Stan has left already but he finds four mechanics and looks for the maintenance manager. The CFI there (a friend) tells him I'm cool, the mechanics say the same, and the desk guy says, once again, I am well known and have permission! Then comes the best part. One mechanic says "he's actually an apprentice here."
I find out that he told them he has a shady black teen casing aircraft. I know that we have a radio theft problem but why did he single me out? I'm not implying that it was over skin color but if you see a white gentleman taking pictures with a nice $3,000 Nikon DSLR (actually asked me who's camera it was
) you don't think anything of it. Oh he's a pro photographer or something. However I don't mind if that was his reasoning. If I owned one I'd be glad he's looking out for all of us. I understand that airplanes and avionics are not cheap but he did not have to be so rude and nasty. He did call the police however.I was done there for the day and was on my way out anyway. I went inside and we all had a laugh over what just happened and how ****ed the guy was that I got off. I believe it was the same guy that called the police last winter when I was there moving planes at 7am (dark) with another "black" gentleman (Same exact car). As I left the airport three PGPD squads passed me on the opposite side of the street. They sure did turn into the airport.
This is the one rude,nasty, unwelcoming pilot that I have met. For that matter one of the few potentially racially motivated watchdogs as well. I think he was racist because he assumed that I was the one that has been stealing the comm's and gps's. This is a diverse airport. You can see all the colors of the rainbow here. I hear this has happened before but regardless, racists are racists. His color doesn't mean a thing. Neither does mine.
I'm starting my apprenticeship on Wednesday and I am excited. Might service his airplane since I've seen it in the shop there before. I'm not going to be any less professional because of this though.
I honestly find it amusing. Especially how ****ed he got when they asked what's wrong and said "oh yeah that's Greg. He's here, he takes pictures, he flies here, going to work here." Never seen a guy so red
Have a great long weekend! Get in some safe and fun flying!
(On a side note the pictures won't be commercially used, only kept for the project and personal archives, and I generally ask owners (when the bird is at its tie down) if they want me to blur out the N#. In the air it's free game! 99.9% that I've met LOVE to have additional pics of their baby.)
what can ya do about it though. In the end what should have come of it did, and that's what counts.
