A Delta Air Lines pilot was removed from a fully boarded plane at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and arrested on suspicion of being drunk. 37-year-old Gabriel Lyle Schroeder drew suspicion from Transportation Security Administration agents after he left a screening line for members of the crew because the agents were conducting additional screenings.
Schroeder ended up getting back in line, but not before concerned agents contacted the police. Schroeder managed to pass through the security checkpoint and boarded the San Diego-bound aircraft. A few moments before takeoff police boarded the plane and escorted Schroeder out of the cockpit.
Officers found an empty bottle of alcohol in his possession and could smell alcohol on his breath.
He was released a few hours later and has not yet been charged with a crime. The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits pilots from flying within eight hours of drinking, and the legal limit for pilots in Minnesota is 0.04 percent. Officials say they are waiting for the results of the toxicology test before determining if he will be charged. That could take at least one week.
Delta issued a brief statement saying they are working with local authorities who are investigating the incident. The airline did not comment on any discipline the pilot may face.
"Delta's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation. Delta is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation," the statement said.
The passengers on the plane had to disembark after Schroeder was removed from the cockpit. Delta assigned a new pilot to the flight, and the aircraft took off following a short delay.
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