SpiceJet has fired one of its commanders for allegedly making an air hostess sit with him in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 on both legs of an international flight. He also asked his co-pilot to leave, giving the two a long alone time in the cockpit.
This serious safety breach happened on SpiceJet’s Kolkata-Bangkok flight on February 28.
The case may not have come forward had the pilot not used “inappropriate language” with the chief air hostess of the flight. She complained to the airline which carried out its own inquiry and also informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the breach.
In fact, more trouble is awaiting the pilot. The DGCA is currently led by M Sathiyavathy who is personally taking part in this case. She told TOI, “We have taken some action (in this case).”
SpiceJet GM corporate communication Ajay Jasra stated, “The inquiry process (in this case) is on and the statement of all the concerned parties has been recorded. Subsequently, the alleged personnel had been sacked.”
Sources said that the pilot summoned the air hostess inside the cockpit while flying to Bangkok. Cabin crew keep visiting the cockpit to check if the pilots need something. In fact, on long haul night flights they go to the cockpit or call the pilot on the cabin phone to make sure that they are awake.
A source said, “In this case, the air hostess was inside the cockpit for a much longer than usual time. She was allegedly made to sit in the pilot’s seat. During this time, the co-pilot went out to the toilet and he was let in after a substantial time.”