Spotting in Florida & Texas

Have recently returned from Florida and Texas and would like to give some info on spotting locations at a few places.

FORT LAUDERDALE

There is a dedicated and signposted Viewing Park off the perimeter road by the threshold of 09L. It is open from dawn to dusk and ATC transimissions are given via loudspeaker. You just have to keep an eye 09R behind you as the occasional planes land on it. There are no toilet facilities,
refreshments or shelter from the weather here. You can get everything that lands or takes off and the occasional trip along the perimeter road for
anything already in will ensure you miss nothing. Good for photos too. No problems were experienced during various visits over two weeks, although a spotter there one day advised that some people had been asked to leave by the Sheriff's Department as they had no I/D. We never saw any law
enforcement officers, but make sure you have some photo I/D just in case. This is a great place with many US Airlines visiting and good Biz too. We managed to clear the Spirit Airbus fleet whilst there.

FORT LAUDERDALE EXECUTIVE

This has been covered before, but to update, a drive around the perimeter road will reveal loads and it's worth keeping a constant eye open as you pass rear hangar doors that are slightly open. Number 2 son spied a Nigerian
125 that we almost missed. There is also a dedicated viewing area here with piped ATC, but again there are no other facilities.

MIAMI

The days when you could park opposite the main freight area by 09 have gone,
but we found a great place. Just alongside the perimeter road not far from the intersection of runway 09 and 12, there is a Restaurant called '94th Aero Squadron'. The specific directions are to leave the perimeter road at the traffic lights at '1395 N.W. 57th Avenue' and make a 'U' turn at the traffic lights a few hundred yards along by the Burger King offices. There is a large car park where you can see across to 08L & R too. The big bonus here is that it is a restaurant. The menu and quality of the food is superb
and you can carry on spotting with a window table which also has headphones with live ATC broadcasts. An excellent meal and a couple of beers will set you back about £15 and they do not load the usual 15 or 18% service charge.
I promise you that you will be happy to pay it after a visit here. You could
just go in the bar there and have the same view.Over the other side we
parked opposite the UPS entrance near the intersection of 08L/R and 12. Do not park in the bays for government employees. We parked there for some time
and had no problems.

DALLAS

Can only advise when you are airside. Ride the Airlink train which takes you
past all of the gates and you'll get everything that's on the gates. Jump off occasionally to catch your breath and try to read the freight that's parked and stuff at the AA hangars.

HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL

The place to go is the roof of Terminal B car park. Pick up a courtesy phone
and dial 301300 and tell them that you are going onto the roof to spot tail numbers. They'll ask you your name, what you are wearing (don't worry you can look) and how long you will be there. Provide this information and you will be left alone no matter how many people think you're acting
suspiciously. From here you'll see everything that moves eventually. As a courtesy I suggest that you pick up the phone when you leave and thank them
for their help.

Our hobby seems to be more acceptable in the US these days, but I suggest that you act discreetly at all times and life for all spotters should be hassle free.

Best wishes, Brian

I got a wonderful experience with Florida.. Anyways thanks for sharing ..