United Flight Canceled After Upset Pilot Refuses To Fly

United canceled a flight from Salt Lake City Thursday afternoon after the pilot announced to passengers that he was too upset to fly, according to one passenger on board.

The pilot, who may have been involved in a labor-related dispute with colleagues, said that he didn't feel he could fly safely, said Paul Jacobson, an energy company executive who was aboard United Flight 416 to Denver.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Ares1]

If the pilot is a 737 pilot for United Airlines the feeling is very understandable, United is phasing them out. Regardless, the pilot did the right thing if you have to much in your mind and not focused of the job totally, you need not fly.

[Phil123]

I almost always too upset to fly - especially after going through the security lines. But I do it anyway.

[MajorKong]

Yes, but you're not the one that might have to deal with an engine failure at V1 or try to set 200,000 pounds of metal down in a 25 knot gusting crosswind or fly an ILS approach down to 600 foot visibility.

"A doctor buries his mistakes. A pilot gets buried with his."

[Phil123]

And the really ridiculous thing is that they make the pilot go through security too. What are they afraid of? Do they think that the pilot might try to take control of the airplane or something?

[marymansour]

All the more reason for Amtrak and the American rail system to get on the ball. It's slower but at least you get to your destination.

[CaptainVideo]

With high speed trains, for moderate distances rail can actully be faster. By the time that it takes to get to the airport, go through the security lines, etc, and then the reverse when you arrive at the airport plus the inevitable delays, fast train service could often be the faster solution.

[repugnicansfearme]

I know the feeling. The last three times I have flown United I was too upset to fly. But, it was from the delays, waiting for crews, waiting for pilots, waiting for this, waiting for that. A truly crappy airline, with crappy attitudes, and service. I will be crying big tears when you go belly up. NOT!

[missusam]

Perparing us for the NWO Airlines.

[sharonh]

At lease he wasn't drunk insisting he could fly.

[GallopingCat]

From the comments here it looks like some people have logged a lot of hours flying planes, and some people have logged a lot of hours playing Warhawk on a Playstation. Apparently the latter don't know the difference.

[ClintB]

People deserve the crappy flights they get. They book with whoever is cheapest instead of who does the best job. Shucks I saved 10 bucks but my flight got canceled 3 times.

[mimsnpips]

Whether the pilot was a wuss or not he did the right thing.

[Ping]

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I began to have second doubts about flying when the Airlines, NW, DL, UA, CO US, AA all started messing with the mechanics union. These airlines all fly old aircraft that need constant maintenance and upkeep. Personally, I am not confident of my safety as soon as I enter Airport grounds. Less confident as I board the old rickety airplane.

[KarateKid]

My dad worked for United Air Lines for 35 years, and all I can say is, this airline company has gone down the tubes. It is filled with hostile, unfriendly personnel both on the ground and in the air. The anger of its employees is clearly evident in how they deal with customers.

So much for flying "The Friendly Skies". I will never fly that airline company again. May they go out of business. It's a sad end to a once great company. It just goes to show you, turn a company over to its employees and look what happens.

What a disgusting airline.

[TroubleNYC]

"...this airline company has gone down the tubes. It is filled with hostile, unfriendly personnel both on the ground and in the air."

As an ex-airline employee I'd say that is true of about 90% of the airlines out there. Particularly the major ones (AA, DL, UA, CO). I'm so glad I left.

[SwingingFromCenter]

You know what? I'll be the dissenter here: GOOD ON THE PILOT.

I'm sorry but if a plane crashes, everybody dies. I don't care what the pilot's reason is; if he honestly felt he wasn't fit to fly the plane at that moment, I applaud him for being man enough to say so and not just sucking it up and risking lives.

If he was just doing it to tick off United....well, that's another issue.

[MemphisBuffalo]

The pilot is lucky to have a job.

[moreupnorth]

The passengers are lucky he didn't fly!

[harriscrl3]

Airline just one big headache in a country that is starting to have NUMEROUS HEADACHES!!!

Carol

[vinny]

airlines suck...

"In the concourse, on the jetway, wherever. Show solidarity with your fellow pilots, show management our solidarity. Don't wear your hat," it says.

c'mon...

what about passenger solidarity and protesting checked bagage now costing 25 schmackers??? (i wonder if that is one way or not?) flying to chicago next week, should be interesting to see how many "carry ons" they wind up stowing in cargo...