A BRITISH Airways pilot was suspended for allegedly breaking anti-terror rules by leaving the cockpit door open during a flight.
The captain wanted his family, who were among passengers from Heathrow to New York, to see him operating the controls, sources said.
AlamyA British Airways pilot was suspended after allegedly leaving the cockpit door open during a flight[/caption]
His actions alarmed other fliers and, after crew reported him, he was grounded.
It meant return flight BA174, due in London last Friday, was cancelled — causing disruption for hundreds of passengers due to fly on the twin-engine Boeing 777-300.
The Civil Aviation Authority launched an urgent investigation into the security breach.
A source said: “Crew and passengers immediately noticed the cockpit door was open and wanted to know what was happening.
“It made passengers incredibly uneasy.
“The door was wide open for a significant time — enough for people to worry and comment.
“BA colleagues were so alarmed that the pilot was reported in the US and bosses had to suspend him.”
Since the 9/11 terrorists hijacked US passenger jets and crashed them into New York skyscrapers in September 2001, security has been stepped up so the cockpit doors are always locked.
Sources at BA said the pilot’s suspension was in line with policy.
He is already back flying as no security threat was identified.
British Airways said: “Safety and security is our top priority.”
AlamySources said the captain wanted his family, who were among passengers to see him operating the controls (stock picture)[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
