Photo: travelandleisure.com
A pilot working for Delta Airlines was arrested earlier this week in Minneapolis, Minnesota as he was about to take a plane to the skies while under the influence of alcohol.
In fact, CNN reports, the flight from Minneapolis to San Diego was just about to take off when the pilot was arrested. All passengers had been boarded and the flight crew was going through TSA checks.
That’s when 37-year-old Gabriel Lyle Schroeder gave himself away: he was waiting in line for the TSA check and he noticed additional checks were being performed. Knowing too well that he was in no condition to pilot a plane, he tried to remove himself from the queue.
“The individual left the line, which drew suspicion,” airport spokesman Patrick Hogan tells the media outlet. Still, he wasn’t arrested then: Schroeder eventually back into the screening line and was allowed to board the plane. He was arrested on board and police found an alcohol container on him, though they wouldn’t say what exactly it contained.
Schroeder was arrested, booked and released the next day. He hasn’t been charged yet because authorities are waiting for the blood test results to come in, and this could take about a week. Meanwhile, Delta is cooperating with the police in the investigation.
“Delta's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation. Delta is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation,” a statement from the airline to the same media outlet reads.
Delta wouldn’t say if Schroeder has had previous violations like this or if he was ever the subject of disciplinary action. Schroeder himself would not comment on his arrest.
The flight to San Diego took off with some delay and made it to its destination in time. Hogan admits to CNN that there is a chance Schroeder could have flown that plane on the day in question.
That’s when 37-year-old Gabriel Lyle Schroeder gave himself away: he was waiting in line for the TSA check and he noticed additional checks were being performed. Knowing too well that he was in no condition to pilot a plane, he tried to remove himself from the queue.
“The individual left the line, which drew suspicion,” airport spokesman Patrick Hogan tells the media outlet. Still, he wasn’t arrested then: Schroeder eventually back into the screening line and was allowed to board the plane. He was arrested on board and police found an alcohol container on him, though they wouldn’t say what exactly it contained.
Schroeder was arrested, booked and released the next day. He hasn’t been charged yet because authorities are waiting for the blood test results to come in, and this could take about a week. Meanwhile, Delta is cooperating with the police in the investigation.
“Delta's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation. Delta is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation,” a statement from the airline to the same media outlet reads.
Delta wouldn’t say if Schroeder has had previous violations like this or if he was ever the subject of disciplinary action. Schroeder himself would not comment on his arrest.
The flight to San Diego took off with some delay and made it to its destination in time. Hogan admits to CNN that there is a chance Schroeder could have flown that plane on the day in question.
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