Mineta announces laser guidelines for pilots (31 incidents in past 12 days)

CNN ^ | Jan. 12, 2004 | CNN

[FairOpinion]

Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta announced new guidelines on Wednesday for pilots to report incidents in which laser beams are shone in their cockpits during flight, saying there have been 31 such incidents since December 31.

In his announcement in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mineta said there is no "credible or specific intelligence that would indicate that these laser incidents are connected to terrorists."

He said the incidents seemed to be the work of pranksters.

[FairOpinion]

Neat! Thanks.

But just think, we may harm those "poor" perps, when their laser gets reflected back at them and they would probably sue the arilines.

[thoughtomator]

I wonder, is it possible to put a filter on the windows to block a laser?

[RandallFlagg]

I had a feeling that those things existed.

Would there be any way that these planes would be willing to mount a couple of small sidewinders that would follow the beams back to their sources?

I mean, there's a REASON that gun shops are rarely robbed.

[FreeKeys]

Would there be any way that these planes would be willing to mount a couple of small sidewinders that would follow the beams back to their sources?

LOL! Well YOU AND I might do that, but the airlines are wusses.

BTW, I made some magnetic bumper stickers on my inkjet printer and the reddish colors all faded in a week.

[RandallFlagg]

BTW, I made some magnetic bumper stickers on my inkjet printer and the reddish colors all faded in a week.

??!!Did you set it to the "Glossy Film" setting? I still have mine and they're as bold as they were when I made 'em.

[FreeKeys]

Dunno. I'll have to try again and do it right this time.

[RandallFlagg]

You'll remember if it was or not. It takes FOREVER to print due to the larger amount of ink used.

[FreeKeys]

Aha! nOT.

duuuUUuuuHhhh

[endthematrix]

"And weapons guidance lasers are not visible to the human eye. "

Blinding nonetheless.

[broadsword]

But, but, but... ALL the Muslims in America are good and peaceful and moderate and the very best of citizens and patriotic and better than you and I and are only silent because they are quiet folks who mostly keep to themselves.

I am absolutely sure that any destructive moves against air traffic or any part of America's infrastructure or innocent unarmed Americans would have absolutely NOTHING to do with our dear, sweet Muslim neighbors or the Religion of bloodthirsty Peace!

Can't we all just wait until the last infidel throat is slit before we start getting so suspicious?




"Heh, heh! That's right, stupid infidel."
"You just keep thinking like that!"

[Robert_Paulson2]

because it's muslims.
they know it.
they don't want us taking 'matters' into our own hands.

so they lie, misdirect and obfiscate.

[Robert_Paulson2]

He's a liar.
As are all politicians.

Their agendas are so perverse and complicated, we can't get a clue no matter what we do.

that goes for all of them.

[blogbat]

"I am absolutely sure that any destructive moves against air traffic or any part of America's infrastructure or innocent unarmed Americans would have absolutely NOTHING to do with our dear, sweet Muslim neighbors or the Religion of bloodthirsty Peace!"

And if anything does happen, I'm sure it won't be caused by anyone who happened to get in by slipping across our porous border (probably in the back of a Marijuana truck)

[blogbat]

"I wonder if Dr. Evil's sharks with lasers are involved?"

LOL

[Rokke]

Oops. Right you are. Change my statement to read "The fact only one of these incidents has resulted in any injuries to pilots or passengers viewing the lasers indicates they aren't powerful."

[Happy2BMe]

The only ones that have been caught playing with lasers pointed at jetliners have not been Muslims.

FYI.

[Rokke]

"Blinding nonetheless."

True, but if they were being used, we'd be reading about multiple incidents of pilots and passengers being blinded from an unknown source, instead of multiple reports of a visible green laser being pointed at aircraft.

[FairOpinion]

It's easier to issue goggles to the pilots. Those goggles exist, and considering the potential consequence, I think they should be issued to the pilots NOW, rather than wait until a plane does crash or some pilots do suffer permanent damage from the laser.

[Rokke]

"It's easier to issue goggles to the pilots."

As a pilot, I'd just as soon not spend all my time in the cockpit wearing expensive laser proof goggles on the off chance that some jackass with a laser pointer wants to see how hard it is to do what he keeps hearing about on CNN.

[FairOpinion]

I think they should crack down on the people who do it, whether they are terrorists or idiot pranksters. But in the meantime, an ounce of prevention and all that.

Pilots would only have to wear the goggles upon takeoff and landing.

Goggles may not be convenient, but how much is your eyesight worth?