Trivial things you don't understand/mildly annoy you

[Batch]

This drone that's closed Gatwick. Why don't they just shoot the fucking thing?

Three reasons
   1. Its a small target to hit, risk of collateral damage from bullets
   2. It'll run out of battery quickly anyway.
   3. It doesn't stop someone putting another one  later - need to catch the fuckwits and hope its idiot kids and not organised disruption

Or just use a radio frequency jammer.

Possibly, but it may be operating autonomously on a route off GPS. Yeah, you could block that too. But....

Amazing that something so relatively cheap can bring an entire airport to a standstill.

EDIT: Solution Found! Those crazy sexy Dutch bastards

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-35750816/eagles-trained-to-take-down-drones

[pauld]

Three reasons
   1. Its a small target to hit, risk of collateral damage from bullets

Hmm, the first one might be reasonable but if you're firing in the air, in a closed airport, you're pretty much OK surely?

  2. It'll run out of battery quickly anyway.

Apparently not. 9 or so hours and still going strong. And costing millions every hour

  3. It doesn't stop someone putting another one  later - need to catch the fuckwits and hope its idiot kids and not organised disruption

Well no it doesn't, but then shoot that one too. Seems ridiculous to allow something as small as this to cause such massive disruption.

[Samdy Gray]

I'm going full conspiracy mode and reckon this is all just a ruse to cover up some other goings on at Gatwick.

[Batch]

Hmm, the first one might be reasonable but if you're firing in the air, in a closed airport, you're pretty much OK surely?

Ask the police
http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=39090.29520;topicseen#quickreply

Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said: "The police are looking for the operator and that is the way to disable the drone."

He said police had not wanted to shoot the devices down because of the risk from stray bullets.

Apparently not. 9 or so hours and still going strong. And costing millions every hour

No way that's been constantly in the air. You'd be lucky to get 30 minutes out of top drone, a custom one isn't going to extend that much.

Its the threat of its return that's closed the airport. They need to be sure the threat is gone.

Well no it doesn't, but then shoot that one too. Seems ridiculous to allow something as small as this to cause such massive disruption.

I'm assuming there is potential for a drone to cause engine damage akin to a bird strike (don't know for sure, but you don't close an airport for fun).

With a 747 closing at 180MPH+ you have to be pretty sure you can spot and take out the drone/operator quickly.

[Batch]

I'm going full conspiracy mode and reckon this is all just a ruse to cover up some other goings on at Gatwick.

Oooh, like what...

Aliens?
Terrorists?
Costa has run out of coffee?
Ted Striker is imminently landing a plane ?

[pauld]

I'm assuming there is potential for a drone to cause engine damage akin to a bird strike (don't know for sure, but you don't close an airport for fun).

With a 747 closing at 180MPH+ you have to be pretty sure you can spot and take out the drone/operator quickly.

Yeah I get that, understand they can't take the risk if the thing's buzzing around, just don't see why they can't just take the damn thing out. I suppose, as you say, until they've found the culprit, they can't be sure it (or others) won't come back. But blimey!

[Batch]

I know!

I agree its crazy how something so small and readily available* can cause so much hassle with no clear way to remedy it.

* have read its commercial sized drone(s) though. If so its more sinister than just kids being dicks.

 wonder if we are in "volcano" territory regarding the effects of a drone strike at landing speeds - i.e. they aren't 100% sure but are airing on caution based on videos like this (some comments make the case it looks worse than it is/unrealistic test)..

[pauld]

I know!

I agree its crazy how something so small and readily available* can cause so much hassle with no clear way to remedy it.

* have read its commercial sized drone(s) though. If so its more sinister than just kids being dicks.

I think the fact it's been going on so long tells us that. Kids dicking about would have given up by now. Probably aliens then.

[Ardiles]

I'm surprised that no-one else has commented that this discussion has reached it's 1,969th page.  Congrats, all!

[horlock07]

Looking at the quotes from people affected, there are some right numbnuts out there!

[horlock07]

I think the fact it's been going on so long tells us that. Kids dicking about would have given up by now. Probably aliens then.

Or remainers of Jeremy Corbyn! 

[Reg Smeeton]

I'm surprised that no-one else has commented that this discussion has reached it's 1,969th page.  Congrats, all!

As opposed to the 1445 for the positive thread....

[Ardiles]

Drone still flying after 16 hrs.  Incredible...and rather worrying.

[Bewster]

Drone still flying after 16 hrs.  Incredible...and rather worrying.

Where do they get their batteries from ??

[Bewster]

I think there is more to this that we first thought and it is more than just a prank.