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Two years in jail for pointing a laser at a plane

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Nov 3rd 2009 at 3:30PM

The "sport" of pointing a laser pointer at a plane is not new - many people have been arrested for the stupid stunt.

Last week was a first though - someone caught pointing their laser at two planes was arrested, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail.

His first target was a United Airlines plane carrying 180 passengers. When the beam hit the cockpit window, the pilot caught it right in the eye, causing "flash blindness". The second target was an Alaska Airlines jet, this time the pilot was able to duck below a glare shield, but did have to abort a critical turn.

There appears to be no shortage of stupidity in the world, and shining a laser pointer at a jet just reinforces that. I'm not even sure what is going through the mind of someone who thinks this is a fun game.

These planes are carrying a lot of people, and in many cases they are on their final approach, one of the most critical parts of the entire flight. To me, two and a half year is on the short side - but hopefully it'll still send a message to anyone else who was thinking of messing around with their laser pointer.

Gallery: Ten pilots you don't want in your cockpit

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nick Nov 3rd 2009 8:28PM

Gadling needs to urgently stop these blanket spam advertising comments being posted under all articles these days. It really takes away from the website's appearance and appeal.

Sean McLachlan Nov 4th 2009 7:50AM

We're trying, but they come in thick and fast. Only a small percentage end up appearing on the site and we try to take those down as quickly as possible. It's annoying for us too, because we have to waste our time deleting them and blocking these idiots when we could be bringing you more content.

Steve Nov 6th 2009 1:45PM

"We're trying, but they come in thick and fast."

That's what she said.

Luminist Nov 3rd 2009 10:42PM

"...two and a half year is on the short side...". Scott, you get the understatement of the year award for that one. Some moron did something that could potentially have brought down an aircraft! This jackass should be treated as a terrorist.

Tony Nov 4th 2009 3:11PM

I have a business that uses a 60mW green laser for doing graffiti on buildings. I always stand right next to people. I grab their arm or laser when a plane goes overhead and if they start even looking like they are about to point it in the direction of a plane; the fun is over. My laser will easily go 15 miles and at distance the beam will increase in size. Just plain stupidity.

tim Nov 6th 2009 5:18PM

the laser would only briefly do ANYTHING especially since it was not directly pointed into anyone's eyes- and how could they catch anybody unless it was a pipe laser or some powerful commercial style and the hit was prolonged otherwise the pilot is a pussy I look at lasers all the time never hurt me yet- seeing as how I am factory certified to repair and calibrate them I should know this is BULLSHIT the pilot is a PUSSY and this is either made up or else the judge is a MORON

jameswest Nov 6th 2009 6:36PM

Tim is 100% right!

JBONE Nov 12th 2009 9:25PM

Tim: the laser would only briefly do ANYTHING especially since it was not directly pointed into anyone's eyes

"When the beam hit the cockpit window, the pilot caught it right in the eye, causing "flash blindness"."

hmmmm....read much?

Tim: I look at lasers all the time never hurt me yet

Do you look at them while you are trying to taxi a 250 ton plane with 180 passengers on board??? Yah it kinda makes a difference.

And btw if you look directly into laser beams all the time you must be retarded because it has been proven that prolonged exposure to such intense light can cause eye damage. There is a reason they put those warning labels on laser pointers......

tim Nov 16th 2009 9:14AM

HEY MORON JBONE -jbone says I'm a retard, listen you toothless inbred I have enough brain cells to know you are a moron if you believe a toy laser pointer could damage your eyes...maybe if you took it out of your butthole long enough to try you'd see the label is there to make morons like you think it has any power to speak of- and this plane is not taxiing moron you read the post then talk shit about taxiing or how many on board like that affects power of POS toy pointer- you work on transmitters all day without catching beam in the eye a dozen or so times (of really powerful commercial laser) then speak like you know what the hell you are talking about MORON