wrote in message
...
According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he
was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001.

Class A starts at 18000, but the buffer is 500 feet.

Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

Bust an altitude by 500 feet and see how much benefit of the doubt they give
you.