If you call the observatory and ask about becoming an 'airplane spotter' they will tell you how to apply... the pay and the hours suck, but you are still being paid to see the laser and help astronomy...

I am amazed we are able to hire spotters to stand outside at 14,000 feet and watch for planes- (And it gets damn cold out there) - but they honestly seem to find the job fun and cool... They told me that they get respect when they tell their friends what they do...

Most of our spotters are students at UH Hilo... When I was at Mount Hamilton the spotters were older, but they loved astronomy... one of them brought an 8 inch telescope to use during the night... he let me see the guide star through it- it was the only time I have ever seen it with my eye-

(I have a GREAT story from that night, but I can't tell it in public)