I’m going to be in the Metroplex soon, and that means it’s time for a little Crankyspotting while I’m in town. With all the Southwest and American folks around, I figure we should be able to get a nice turnout. 
So here are the details. Hope to see you all there.
Date: Saturday, January 19
Time: 10am to noon
Location: Founders Plaza on the northwest side of DFW (map)
As an added bonus, we’ll have a couple of Cranky Concierges there as well. So if you’re a client, come on down and say hello. There will be plenty of bare metal airplanes to stare at. (Sorry, Southwest people, but maybe next time we’ll do Love Field.)
23 comments on “Crankyspotting at DFW on January 19 at 10am”
Too bad, already have plans on the 19th…and I am in Texas next week, but alas, not the 19th. Here’s to Crankyspotting at more airports around the US. Sooner or later it’ll work out for me.
I’ll be road tripping myself the 19th. But a trip to DFW must now include a stop to a Metroplex In-N-Out to be a comprehensive review. :)
I think the closest In-N-Out to DFW is the one on MacArthur in Irving.
Looking forward to it!!!
With any luck, you’ll have something other than bare metal planes to look at. Maybe a freshly painted, new-liveried 777-300!
I’m flying through DFW that day, though unfortunately I doubt I’ll have the time to leave the terminal to join the group. Happy spotting and I’ll be sure to wave!
I was tempted to take a trip out to DFW for this…but I’m going to be in Singapore on that day! :) However, enjoy!
Spotting at DAL would be a bit dull. Look, another WN 737!
Yeah…but a lot of the time at DFW it is “Look, another AA MD-80”. It is getting better though, thank you Qantas and Emirates.
Thanks for pointing out this plane-spotting area. I look forward to checking it out the next time I’m at DFW.
I live in DFW, but I’ll be flying back that day and won’t be back til around 2 PM, so I can’t make it.
The Founders Plaza is a pretty good place to observe the planes. It’s on the west side, and close to the arrivals runway on that side. It seems most of the cargo planes (most of the 747s that operate at DFW), and much of the international traffic.
One suggestion – come up with a backup plan, in case it is too cold to go out there. It could be 65 degrees…or 20.
John – Good point. But if the weather is terrible, where is a good backup spot?
Hopefully, they will be landing to the south and you can get good landing shots on 18L and 18R. If the flow is to the north, landing traffic uses the other end 36L and 36R, and you have a very long telephoto shot. I’ve noticed that departing traffic in a north flow uses 31L out of camera range.
Not a lot of good options for indoor plane spotting at DFW. Here are a few random ideas:
1. Got any friends at AA that could arrange use of a conference room and passes to get thru security? I would think that the Admirals Club in Terminal D would not be too busy on a Saturday morning.
2. Get a day room at the Hyatt for a couple hours – preferably the Grand Hyatt as it is closer to west side runways and has unobstructed views.
3. There is a cluster of fast food joints on Hwy 114/121 in Grapevine just west of the airport. There is a small amount of elevation over that way, won’t have a clear view of the runway, but can see north end of the west side runways with minimal obstruction. The approach to west side crosswind runway would be just across the hwy. I think there is a Grandys that might work.
4. If the weather is just nasty, go to the AA museum as it is worth a visit in itself. Plus you are guaranteed to spot a beautifully restored DC3. The movie, while dated is still pretty cool as well. It’s on Hwy 360 near the AA HQ.
5. Go to one of the sporting goods stores at Grapevine Mills (just north of DFW) and buy long underwear! Founders Plaza is one of the best plane spotting places anywhere, even in cold weather.
Good luck, I am scheduled to be visiting my daughter in Fayetteville that weekend. Sorry I will likely miss you.
Seems like I’ve lost the exclusive on having CrankySpotting next door…
Cool! The planespotting is not as great as the In-N-Out on Sepulveda but it’s not bad. See y’all next weekend!
=M=
The Hyatt is the best option, if you can score a conference room.
I’m also a weather geek (shocker). The long-range forecast model for that day shows no precip, a high of 49 and a low of 32. If (when) that changes, I’ll let you guys know.
Well, I don’t think the folks at American are likely to be opening up to help with this event. So my plan is just to stick with Founders Plaza even if it’s cold. If it’s a blizzard or something, then we’ll just cancel because nobody is going to want to drive in that anyway.
Ok..I had to laugh at that. Have you seen a Dallas blizzard? It does happen once in a while..but usually it looks like this.
Xnuiem – That’s one heck of a big blizzard compared to what we get here in Long Beach!
Heh. Touche!
See you the 19th.
We get more snow and ice than a lot of people think. This was Christmas Day at my house.
http://s1166.beta.photobucket.com/user/gaengconsultants/media/snow_zps1f575065.jpg.html
But that said, so far the weather looks good for Saturday. Now it shows sunny with a high of 60.
Looking forward to it!