Under the radar
Jan 27, 2015, 7:54 AM | Updated: 8:59 am
Drones are selling at the rate of 200,000 a month and based on the drone videos I've seen (as of today there are there at least 1.9 million of them on YouTube) every one of them will crash somewhere. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
How is it possible that one of those little quadcopters could get past the Secret Service and crash on the South Lawn of the White House?
Because it was only a matter of time.
Drones are selling at the rate of 200,000 a month and based on the drone videos I’ve seen (as of today there are there at least 1.9 million of them on YouTube) every one of them will crash somewhere.
‘But Dave!’ you say. ‘Why would anyone fly a drone anywhere near the White House?’
Well I’ll tell you why: these drone pilots have no fear.
They are consumed by their hobby. They tend to be a little self-righteous, like those open-carry guys who wear their guns into coffee shops.
In one YouTube video a guy flies his drone over a beach on Oahu, and what do you know – some of the bathers are naked, and one of them throws his sandals at it, then follows the drone pilot back to his truck demanding he pull out the video card.
Then there’s the video of a guy who did a fly-over as a girl was tanning and she makes a run at him.
“You shouldn’t be taking pictures of someone on the beach!” she screams.
That’s why someone would have the nerve to fly a drone near the White House. Compared to being confronted by a rampaging bather, the Secret Service is nothing.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.
