Regional pilot caught texting during takeoff
 

Pilot Caught on Camera Texting During Takeoff


Pilot Caught on Camera Texting During Takeoff
By Caroline Vandergriff
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 04:42 PM EDT


CHARLOTTE--An airline pilot was caught on camera texting and checking Twitter during takeoff, ignoring on-board announcements to put devices in airplane mode.

The pilot was a passenger on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Tampa, FL. He was in his uniform, but not part of the crew actually flying the plane.

The Charlotte man who recorded the incident, Chad Tillman, says he's concerned about what that pilot may be doing the cockpit behind closed doors if he blatantly disregards the cell phone policy in public view.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, passengers can use their phones during take off and in-flight, but only in airplane mode. Tillman says he was worried about the plane's safety when the pilot violated those rules, and he reported the incident to American Airlines.

A spokesperson for American Airlines says the pilot doesn't fly for them - he works for another airline they have an agreement with to transport crewmembers. The spokesperson says American has reached out to that airline, which is now looking into it.

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