What on earth possesses anyone to shine a laser at an aircraft?

Losers trying to feel powerful. I'd be inclined to fit all aircraft with a high power laser that automatically fires back down the same beam permanently removing the source.

Even though most of us are decent people, a minority are basically uneducated idiots and it's been like this for years.

You know what? A 10 year prison sentence would stop it immediately! Harsh? But they could cause the deaths of hundreds of people.

I really wish our government would crack down on yobs and let us decent people have our lives back.

I can find no legitimate reason for the average person to own one of these things, they should be classed as a weapon and banned. Plus anyone found pointing one at an aircraft should be jailed.

@ Paine these things were banned in Australia because the same morons were at airports shining them as the planes landed and also at sporting matches including the cricket .

They are idiots who have not thought (or have the ability to think) it through.

The aftermath of such actions could be horrendous with the loss of hundreds of lives.

simple...they are morons.

anybody who does that should be locked away for 100 years. that is an act of terrorism and cannot be tolerated.

If we hadn't thought about doing previously any idiot watching the BBC in London would think it a good idea!!

It's just a bright light what's the problem! At typical distances the divergence means it'll be no more than a niggling annoyance, and unlikely to cause any damage - not unless you are firing at the pilot whilst landing or taking off. Are there any known incidents of it causing anything more than aggravation?

Just think, if these morons had brains they would be dangerous!

cops should fit a chaingun to there helicopters problem solved