Michael Haak, 60, made no excuses for watching porn and
exposing his genitalia to a female officer.
He said in a virtual hearing that the act started as a
consensual prank between him and the other pilot. “I never imagined it would
turn into this in a thousand years,” he said during the hearing.
According to the New York Post, Judge J. Mark Coulson
ordered him to a year unsupervised probation and a fine of $5 000 (about R68
300). Haak, who was the captain, was assisted by a female first officer who he
hadn't met before the flight.
According to a statement by the US Attorney's Office for
the district of Maryland, Haak got out of the pilot’s seat, and while still in
the cockpit of the plane, undressed. He then viewed pornographic material on a
laptop.
Haak continued to behave in an appropriate conduct in the
cockpit, while the first officer “continued to perform her duties as an
assigned aircrew member”.
Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Mainz said they
learned of the pilot's behaviour after he voluntarily left the airline.
Haak had worked for the company for 27 years. “Southwest
Airlines does not tolerate behaviour of this nature and will take prompt action
if such conduct is substantiated,” said Mainz.
Due to the incident, the airline would not pay any benefits
Haak is entitled to after his retirement. IOL
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