https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=2001%3A9B1%3A40D0%3AC300%3A6199%3AA23A%3A4751%3A604Cexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-05-23T07:36:32ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3108:_Laser_Danger&diff=3805733108: Laser Danger2025-06-28T08:43:22Z<p>2001:9B1:40D0:C300:6199:A23A:4751:604C: Cat. color</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 3108<br />
| date = June 27, 2025<br />
| title = Laser Danger<br />
| image = laser_danger_2x.png<br />
| imagesize = 684x272px<br />
| noexpand = true<br />
| titletext = To combat the threat, many airlines are installing wing-mounted spray bottles.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|This page was created recently. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}<br />
Shining a laser at a plane is a federal crime in the United States. A powerful laser can disorient and/or blind the pilot operating the aircraft. This can prove dangerous to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants during takeoff and landing, which in themselves are hazardous periods of flight. This was previously discussed in [[3030: Lasering Incidents]].<br />
<br />
Megan humorously claims that there's another reason why lasering a plane is illegal: to avoid provoking cats into leaping at them. Cats are known to jump onto and chase laser pointers. Cats also prey on birds, with estimates of 1.3 to 3.7 billion birds killed each year. Of course, if a cat ''did'' try to attack a plane, it would find itself hilariously outsized and pose minimal threat (unless it managed to get on the windshield, which would limit the pilot's visibility).<br />
<br />
For the title text: Cats do not like spray bottles, the spray bottle wets their furs, whereas cats do not like having their fur be wet; the spray bottle also emits a hissing sound, which cats associate with other cats threatening them. The "wing mounted spray bottles" on aircraft could be a reference to fuel dump tubes, which spray out fuel to lighten the aircraft, also commonly used during takeoff emergencies or before landing. To combat against actual land-based threats to aircraft in real life, El Al (The Israeli national airline) and government aircraft used by heads of state have missile defense systems installed.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}<br />
<br />
Megan: Shining laser pointers at planes is a federal crime. It's incredibly dangerous.<br />
<br />
Cueball: Oh, because it can blind the pilot?<br />
<br />
Megan: That's one reason...<br />
<br />
[A plane is shown, with a green laser pointer aimed at it.]<br />
<br />
[The laser disappears. A cat, approximately the same size as the plane, pounces the plane and sends it tumbling.] <br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude><br />
<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Aviation]]<br />
[[Category:Cats]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>2001:9B1:40D0:C300:6199:A23A:4751:604C