neat....glad they added an American's response. Walter DCA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hough" <psa188@juno.com> To: <AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> > Tuesday, 20 November, 2001, 16:58 GMT > Greece's strict reputation 'known' > > The 12 Britons are facing fresh spying charges > > Greece's reputation for taking a dim view of plane spotting is well known among aviation enthusiasts. > The editor of Pilot magazine has told BBC News Online that Greece was a known trouble spot for this kind of hobby. > > And even on the website for Touchdown Tours, which organised the holiday, there was a hint at the kind of strict regime facing those who came on the trip. > > In an ironic preview of the Greek expedition, the website said: "The last trip of 2000 was the group's second to Greece, building on the expertise from the first trip in November 1998. > > "We managed to visit 18 bases in 5 days, log over 700 Greek military aircraft without any problems and have a thoroughly enjoyable time. > > The spotters face 20 years in jail > > > "I would warn that spotting in Greece is still not particularly liked by the authorities and without our contacts at the Greek Ministry of Defence, which helped on a number of occasions, the trip might have been a little longer than anticipated!" > > But, as the BBC correspondent Paul Wood, speaking from Greece, said, what started out as complete joke is now a very serious incident, with the possibility of 20 years imprisonment for the 12 Britons and two Dutch. > > Philip Whiteman, editor of Pilot magazine, said: "I've heard of people getting into trouble in Greece before. > > "It was always sensitive, like Turkey and the old Eastern bloc countries." > > Mr Whiteman disagreed that the group should have taken more care. > > Outrageous > > He said: "They were doing the sort of thing they would be completely free to do in any other European country. > > "It's absolutely outrageous that they've been arrested and treated like that." > > There is some sympathy over here (in the US) for their situation, but you have to use common sense > > Meanwhile, news of the Britons' plight has reached plane spotters in the States. > > Kevin Cook, 42, from the South Florida Historical Aviation Society, said: "There is some sympathy over here for their situation, but you have to use common sense." > > Since 11 September, Mr Cook can no longer spot at Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports because of increased security. > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > Get your free email from http://mymail.juno.com >