Originally Posted by
uncle peter
The BALPA forum has a post eluding to a "serious incident involving a powerful laser" that occurred at Heathrow recently. It doesn't go into details as it states a police investigation is ongoing, but it would seem the problem is getting worse. Hope the 2 Americans make a full recovery.
Unfortunately, this is one of those occasions where publicity attracts those who want to actually do harm as opposed to the mindless drunk with a pointer. As soon as it is published that the pilots were sufficiently badly affected to need hospital treatment expect these attacks to escalate. Ideally, severe police action should be taken with no media sensationalism. As soon as the media starts sensational coverage which is only geared to sell their papers/advertising there will be a rash of these attacks.