The RMT union announced the walkouts in a dispute with the firms over plans to remove guards from trains, which would become driver-only-operated (DOO).
Union officials, who confirmed the 24-hour strike on 13 March, say the move will make trains potentially dangerous.
There were 55 laser pen attacks on aircraft at Gatwick last year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
The West Sussex airport is in the top ten most targeted in the UK.
Earlier this month, the Department for Transport announced plans to introduce new legislation meaning people who shine lasers at pilots could be jailed or face hefty fines.
Footballers come together over cancer patient
Amanda Akass
BBC Live reporter
Alex Stedman was diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this month.
The 22-year-old works for Crawley Town FC and footballers across the country have been helping him raise money for charity.
Video content
Video caption: Footballers join together to raise money for cancer patientFootballers join together to raise money for cancer patient
Monkeys go bananas over pancake treat
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
Drusillas ParkCopyright: Drusillas Park
These squirrel monkeys at Drusillas have had a Shrove Tuesday treat after pancakes were added to their lunch menu and served up in a frying pan.
But if you're looking for tips on the perfect pancake, I'm not sure it's a recipe to try at home...
They were made from a mix of porridge oats, baby rice, baby formula and whey powder, bound together with sunflower oil and sweet potato... all the foods that keep the monkeys fit and healthy.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Video caption: MP leads team to pancake race victoryMP leads team to pancake race victory Video caption: Kevin Standing's Jaguar was stolen from his drivewayKevin Standing's Jaguar was stolen from his driveway 
Video caption: BBC South East weather 28 February 2017BBC South East weather 28 February 2017 
PACopyright: PA 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Video caption: Footballers join together to raise money for cancer patientFootballers join together to raise money for cancer patient 
Drusillas ParkCopyright: Drusillas Park 
View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Video caption: Lawro: 'It's Brighton's year'Lawro: 'It's Brighton's year' 
Video caption: Accidents caused by left-hand-drive vehiclesAccidents caused by left-hand-drive vehicles 
Video caption: Kate Kinsella with the weatherKate Kinsella with the weather 
Chichester CathedralCopyright: Chichester Cathedral 
Chichester CathedralCopyright: Chichester Cathedral 
ThinkstockCopyright: Thinkstock 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Latest PostCrawley Town 1-2 Exeter City
Exeter remained in the hunt for an automatic-promotion place with a well deserved win at Crawley in League Two.
Read moreBrighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Newcastle United
By Ian Westbrook
BBC Sport
Newcastle score twice in the final 10 minutes to come from behind to beat Championship promotion rivals Brighton.
Read moreThat's it for today...
Thanks for joining us - we'll be back tomorrow at 06:00 GMT with all your news, sport, travel and weather.
In the meantime you can get in touch on Twitter , on Facebook , or by sending us an email .
Sussex MP helps team to pancake day victory
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
A Sussex MP was on the winning team at Westminster's annual Parliamentary pancake race outside the Houses of Parliament.
The Shrove Tuesday charity event pits MPs, peers and the press pack against each other.
Video content
Man told to 'investigate' car theft himself
When Kevin Standing's Jaguar was stolen from his driveway in Patcham, he didn't expect this response from the police.
Video content
Man jailed after teen stabbed in street
Samuel Morgan has been sentenced for possessing a knife in public after a teenager was killed.
Read moreA dry start to Wednesday...
Rachel Mackley
Weather Presenter
But then the heavens open in the afternoon. Watch my forecast here.
Video content
Southern rail staff to strike again
Southern rail staff have voted to strike in a dispute over the role of guards .
The RMT union announced the walkouts in a dispute with the firms over plans to remove guards from trains, which would become driver-only-operated (DOO).
Union officials, who confirmed the 24-hour strike on 13 March, say the move will make trains potentially dangerous.
The Office of Road and Rail insists they are safe provided the right equipment and training is given.
Gatwick pilots targeted with laser pens
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
There were 55 laser pen attacks on aircraft at Gatwick last year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
The West Sussex airport is in the top ten most targeted in the UK.
Earlier this month, the Department for Transport announced plans to introduce new legislation meaning people who shine lasers at pilots could be jailed or face hefty fines.
Footballers come together over cancer patient
Amanda Akass
BBC Live reporter
Alex Stedman was diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this month.
The 22-year-old works for Crawley Town FC and footballers across the country have been helping him raise money for charity.
Video content
Monkeys go bananas over pancake treat
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
These squirrel monkeys at Drusillas have had a Shrove Tuesday treat after pancakes were added to their lunch menu and served up in a frying pan.
But if you're looking for tips on the perfect pancake, I'm not sure it's a recipe to try at home...
They were made from a mix of porridge oats, baby rice, baby formula and whey powder, bound together with sunflower oil and sweet potato... all the foods that keep the monkeys fit and healthy.
Yum.
It's getting closer...
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
Lawro: 'This is Brighton's year'
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
Championship leaders Brighton and Hove Albion take on closest rivals Newcastle United this evening.
Just one point separates the two front-runners for promotion to the Premier League.
Video content
Follow the game online or there's full commentary on BBC Sussex from 19:00 GMT.
Sideswiped by a foreign HGV
Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter
Left-hand drive lorries were involved in nearly 350 accidents in the South East last year.
Now there are calls for continental vehicles to be fitted with technology to stop incidents such as this.
Video content
It's a wet and cold end to February
Kate Kinsella
BBC weather
Winter's not done with us yet.
Here's my forecast.
Video content
Staff to strike over driver-only trains
Rail union RMT is opposing plans to introduce driver-only-operated trains by removing guards.
Read morePancake Day celebrations at Chichester Cathedral
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
These choristers at Chichester Cathedral have been celebrating Shrove Tuesday in the traditional way.
I don't know about you but I'd never be able to catch my pancake if I'd flipped it that high!
Today's Sussex newspaper headlines
The Argus : 'My £40k Jaguar was stolen and police told me to investigate crime myself'
Chichester Observer : Aldingbourne man to be sentenced for sex offences against young girls
Eastbourne Herald : Efit released in appeal after teen sexually assaulted in Eastbourne
Hastings Observer : Town swinging for Fat Tuesday Festival
Brighton and Hove News : Strikes by Southern drivers and guards blamed for loss at train company
BreakingAnother Southern strike date announced
Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter
The RMT Union has announced a new strike date in its ongoing dispute with Southern Rail.
The union's members will walk out for 24 hours on 13 March, in its long-running dispute with Southern over driver-only operation on trains.
The dispute has been ongoing since April 2016.
Pensioner badly injured in road accident
Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter
An 81-year-old woman's in a serious condition after being hit by a car in Seaford.
It happened as she was walking along the A259 Buckle bypass just before 18:30 last night.
The accident involved a white Citroen DS3 being driven by a 20-year-old man from Seaford.
The road was closed for three hours while the incident was investigated.