SpiceJet pilot fired for allowing air hostess in the cockpit

Kolkata, April 23:The SpiceJet has suspended one of its pilots over gross violation of cockpit regulations. The pilot allegedly asked the chief air hostess of an international flight to Banglok to join him in the cockpit in both the legs of the journey. He also sent the co-pilot out of the cockpit and let him in after a long time.

The incident happened on SpiceJet's Kolkata to Bangkok flight. The case would not have been dragged had the pilot not used inappropriate language with the hostess. Following this, she complained to the airline who launched their own inquiry, before informing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the breach.

Showing how serious the offence was, the airlines sacked the pilot. The DGCA, being headed by a no-nonsense person M Sathiyavathy, is taking the investigation seriously. She said,"We have taken some action (in this case)." She added that if the allegations against the pilot was proved, she would also cancel his license so that he would not be able to fly with some other airline.

Sources said that the pilot asked the chief air hostess to come inside the cockpit while flying to Bangkok and asked her to sit on his seat. Cabin crew keep going to the cockpit to check if pilots needed anything or call them on the phone in long-haul flights to check whether they are awake.

"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," said the source.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet GM corporate communication Ajay Jasra said,"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."

He further added, "SpiceJet is an equal opportunity employer where there is no gender bias. With respect to the present case, we wish to inform you that we have internal complaint committee in place which is mandated by The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013. We have already initiated inquiry process as per the guidelines laid in the said act."

OneIndia News