New Jersey Commuter Accidentally Jams Newark Airport System with GPS Jammer

Both the folks at Newark airport and a New Jersey commuter learned the hard way last week of what sort of impact a GPS jammer can have. The story goes: an employee of an engineering company drove past Newark airport as normal, but thanks to a GPS jammer sitting inside of the vehicle, managed to completely take down the airport’s “Smartpath” system, one that’s meant to “increase airport capacity, decrease air traffic noise, and reduce weather-related delays“.

Clearly, the system relies on geo-positioning, and if its GPS gets blocked, that’s a problem. The reason the employee, Gary Bojczak, had a GPS jammer in his vehicle should be obvious: he didn’t want to be tracked. And who can blame him? Even if you have nothing to hide, no one likes to be tracked (though I’m sure there’s a fetish out there somewhere). I’m sure it’s of no surprise to anyone that devices like these are illegal, and carry harsh fines.

In Bojczak’s case, he was fined a staggering $31,875 for what I’m sure was a combination of things (both owning and operating a GPS jammer, and causing the airport’s trouble). Yes, his employer was quick to cut him loose.

So, before you leave your house with that GPS jammer… think twice.