United Pilot Detained For Dropping His Pants At Security

[Amerigo Vespucci]

United Pilot Detained For Dropping His Pants At Security

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/26/united-pilot-detained-for_n_626764.html

SAO PAULO — A United Airlines pilot was briefly detained at the international airport in Rio de Janeiro after lowering his pants during a security screening, police said Saturday.

Pilot Michael D. Slynn, 49, was asked to remove his belt and shoes as part of a routine security screening Friday afternoon. In response, Slynn laughed at security guards and lowered his pants to his ankles, said a police spokesman who was prohibited by departmental rules from giving his name.

Slynn was detained but released shortly afterward and allowed to fly back to Washington, D.C., after signing a document promising to appear before a judge the next time he is in Brazil, the spokesman said.

Calls to United Airlines in Brazil were not immediately returned. When asked for comment, Sarah Massier, a spokeswoman for the Chicago-based company, wrote in an e-mail, "We are investigating the matter."

Two telephone numbers listed for a Michael Slynn, in California and Florida, respectively, were disconnected or could not take messages Saturday.

[Trillo]

1. Time to fly naked? nt

[Hubert Flottz]

12. Birds do it all the time...

[amandabeech]

2. I'm sure that there are plenty of people who have thought about doing just this.

I cannot help but laugh.

[SunnySong]

3. Having seen pictures of Carnival I had no idea public nudity was illegal in Brasil.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. I don't think that's what they meant by "Fly the friendly skies...."

at least I HOPE not.

[xchrom]

5. That was funny. Nt

[JI7]

6. why was he detained ? and he has to appear before a judge ?

[eShirl]

7. for laughing at the security guards, probably

[Dead_Parrot]

8. It still amazes me they screen pilots

It not like he needs to sneak a toy gun on board to take control of the aircraft.

:banghead:

[moriah]

9. Are we sure he wasn't just a skinny dude?

I mean, for some guys I know it'd be really dangerous for them to remove their belts, they'd give you a full moon from them just falling down!

Or perhaps a translation error if they asked in Portuguese?

[SalmonChantedEvening]

10. Why yes, it is carry-on.

:evilgrin:

[papadog]

11. Shoe have metal shanks in them and knives can be stored in belts. like the cane knives

belts are made to conceal knives. Not that a pilot would have one but i have to take off my belt and shoes here in the US why can't Brazil have the same requirement? As far as being funny I invite any of you to try that with our TSA and see what happens. If you don't get a billy club upside your head you'll be lucky. Another Ugly American abroad showing our arrogance.

[icnorth]

13. Not arrogance so much as

total disdain for abject stupidity.