# El Paso Airport closed for 10 days for "security reasons" (reopened on February 11, 2026) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 11, 2026, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575 "2026-02-11T10:18:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/101 "2026-02-12T17:22:31Z")
Ich denke an trump und Ich schieße es ab. (google translate. no speckenze german) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/102 "2026-02-12T20:18:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > ISTM if they really were shooting at drug-mule drones of whatever nature, it ought to have been the DEA who was doing the shooting. The DEA has already surrendered that authority to the DoD in the Caribbean. Eventually the Pentagon will be in charge of everything from the post office to sending out social security checks. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/103 "2026-02-13T05:03:19Z")
Just like the felon’s loverboy’s country. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/104 "2026-02-13T05:34:59Z")
I keep hearing about how balloon releases are bad for the environment.‘it’s good to see the government doing something about it. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/105 "2026-02-13T05:48:15Z")
I believe you are a conservative poster so I don’t really know how you intended your post. I suggest that if you are intending sarcasm, make it blatant when you are outside the pit. If it isn’t sarcasm, please explain how the Trump admin is doing something about it. From my perspective, the Trump admin did a lot of disruptive bad shit for no reason. Ergo, executive branch = dumbshits. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/106 "2026-02-13T05:58:53Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I believe you are a conservative poster so I don’t really know how you intended your post. I suggest that if you are intending sarcasm, make it blatant when you are outside the pit. If it isn’t sarcasm, please explain how the Trump admin is doing something about it. From my perspective, the Trump admin did a lot of disruptive bad shit for no reason. Ergo, executive branch = dumbshits. I say it’s a good thing for the environment that they are using lasers to shoot down party balloons and you can’t tell if I’m being sarcastic? I don’t think that’s a me problem. And no I’m not particularly conservative and I’m certainly not a Trump supporter. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/107 "2026-02-13T06:21:00Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I say it’s a good thing for the environment that they are using lasers to shoot down party balloons and you can’t tell if I’m being sarcastic? I don’t think that’s a me problem. And no I’m not particularly conservative and I’m certainly not a Trump supporter. If people can’t understand what you are saying, it’s a them problem? I disagree. It’s a you problem. Clearly state what you are saying. It cannot be that hard. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/108 "2026-02-13T06:22:27Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > If people can’t understand what you are saying, it’s a them problem? In this case, yes. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/109 "2026-02-13T06:23:36Z")
I know! But I want “them” to explain it. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/110 "2026-02-13T12:56:03Z")
You is tbe them, so start 'splanin ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/111 "2026-02-13T13:06:43Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I know! But I want “them” to explain it. Dude, EVERYONE ELSE here knew what **Loach** meant. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/112 "2026-02-13T13:09:21Z")
Representing the contingent of “everyone else,” I concur. I was clearly and obviously sarcasm. We don’t need “/s” tags everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/113 "2026-02-13T13:11:14Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Ich denke an trump und Ich schieße es ab. The original German lyrics for that part were: > Denk’ an dich und lass’ ihn fliegen “I think of you and let them fly”, so: > Denk’ an Trump und lass’ ihn fliegen ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/114 "2026-02-13T13:14:30Z")
+1 ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/115 "2026-02-13T13:38:08Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Representing the contingent of “everyone else,” I concur. I was clearly and obviously sarcasm. We don’t need “/s” tags everywhere. Agree. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/116 "2026-02-13T14:26:27Z")
This is a natural progression from the recent drone panics in New Jersey and in Copenhagen, as well as older panics in Colorado and at London Gatwick. Judging from the video clips that have appeared on the internet associated with these panics, maybe 75% of these apparent ‘drones’ were distant aircraft misidentified by the observers, aircraft that were more than ten times further away than the observers thought they were. A number of observers in Copenhagen and Europe have attempted to shoot these ‘drones’ down, with no result, because they were using rifles and other kinds of ballistic weapon. If you fire a gun at a target that is ten times further away than you think it is, you will miss because the bullet follows a ballistic curve. However, a laser beam follows a straight line geodesic, so you **will hit it** , whether it is a hundred yards away or ten miles away. I expect the FAA are not keen on drone defence systems that can shoot down balloons (or drones) being targeted in error at civilian aircraft. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/117 "2026-02-13T14:34:13Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > “I think of you and let them fly”, so: “I think of trump and shoot it down.” ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/118 "2026-02-13T14:41:31Z")
> [@eburacum45](#): > > However, a laser beam follows a straight line geodesic, so you **will hit it** , whether it is a hundred yards away or ten miles away. I expect the FAA are not keen on drone defence systems that can shoot down balloons (or drones) being targeted in error at civilian aircraft. And it’s not even a matter of them _targeting_ the civilian aircraft. Even if they hit it, the “drone” won’t stop all of the laser energy, and so it keeps going. Imagine flying a plane through an airspace with a laser beam you can’t even seen beaming across your flightpath. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/119 "2026-02-13T14:43:57Z")
Even lasers with no kinetic energy are the bane of civilian aviation. Maybe more so than drones. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575/120 "2026-02-13T18:13:14Z")
Moderating: > [@wguy123](#): > > I disagree. It’s a you problem. Clearly state what you are saying. It cannot be that hard. This is attacking the poster outside the pit. If a post confuses you, just ask. Don’t make snide assertions like: > [@wguy123](#): > > I believe you are a conservative poster so I don’t really know how you intended your post. I suggest that if you are intending sarcasm, make it blatant when you are outside the pit. If it isn’t sarcasm, please explain how the Trump admin is doing something about it. Also, I’m glad to see the thread has moved past this hijack, but please, everyone, don’t bring it up again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-paso-airport-closed-for-10-days-for-security-reasons-reopened-on-february-11-2026/1027575.md?page=7)