The main terminal at MSP is divided into four concourses and sandwiched between the parallel 12/30 runways and the 4/22 to the north. Regular international flights are limited to KLM and JAL, although MSP provides plenty of Northwest’s 747’s and DC-10’s. Traffic throughout the day is heavy, and often planes are backed up a dozen at a time waiting in line for takeoff.

American F-100 departing on 30R. View from the Parking Garage.

INDOORS:
-Green Concourse Observation Deck: Although I've never actually been there, there is an observation deck in the Green Concourse near Gate 63. Given its location, the view of 12L/30R must be awesome.

JAL 747 turning off 30R after landing. View from the Parking Garage.

OUTDOORS:
-Central parking garage: The central parking garage at MSP is a great spot to catch all the action from around the airport, especially from the upper floors. Most of the action happens on 30R, so head to the northeast side of the garage. A great elevated view of everything on every runway and taxiway.
-Post Rd. Spotter's Lot: Post Rd. runs along the southeast edge of the airport adjacent to 12R/30L. Near the eastern end of the runway sits a small parking lot on the opposite side of the street from the long-term parking lot, and although it is tough to see over the fence, you are very close to the planes and to the touchdown zone. This place gets better as the day goes, as it seems that this runway is used more and more as the day progresses.

Northwest 757 touching down on 30L. View from the Post Rd. Spotter's Lot.

PRE-9/11 SECURITY REPORT:
-Security at MSP is relaxed and very tolerant of spotters. I spent almost an entire day in the parking garage and never saw a single police or security figure. Doesn’t seem to be much of a problem there. I saw a policeman drive by while I stood on the side of Post Rd. with my camera out in the open, and he either did not notice me or did not care.