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On August 2nd, a United Airlines pilot was leaving the employee parking lot at Denver International Airport (DEN). He got frustrated while waiting to exit and took a full-sized axe out of his car. He then used the axe to chop down the arm of the automated parking gate.
The pilot struck the parking arm 23 times before it broke. Two other airport employees intervened and took the axe from him. There was a struggle, but luckily no one was injured. Around $700 of damage was caused and the pilot was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief.
The Boeing 757 and 767 pilot has been removed from his schedule and is on leave while United Airlines conducts an internal investigation. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 25th for arraignment. The video from CBS News below shows the attack.
The police report reads that the pilot said that “he just hit his breaking point” while waiting to exit. The pilot lost patience and took his anger out on the parking gate. The pilot further stated that he “was trying to get rid of issues for everyone waiting.” What a good samaritan.
Anthony’s Take: I hate lines and waiting like most people. Everyone has a bad day and loses patience. It’s concerning that a pilot, someone who has hundreds of lives in his hands on a daily basis, would lose control in this manner.
(Image Credits: CBS Colorado via YouTube.)
(H/T: One Mile at a Time.)
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2 comments
The irony of an airline pilot losing his ever-loving mind over a delay is delicious.
I support this pilot. There is a systemic breakdown in processes occurring. Airports overcrowded, departure slots restricted, malfunctioning gates, delays at the car rental counter.
This pilot is simply pointing out one of the most broken processes in society. Its 2023 – and these gates are no different then they were when they were first created. Why even have the gates anymore? Just tow the cars or impound the ones that break the rules.
Let these pilots get home to their families