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American Eagle pilot tries to amuse his passengers and fails
Passengers on American Eagle flight 4891 from New York's La Guardia airport en route to Cleveland were already running 2 hours late when the pilot asked the flight attendant to advise the passengers that the aircraft would be diverted to Toledo. The reason given was "an emergency has shutdown Cleveland Hopkins Airport". Once the plane landed, passengers whipped out their mobile phones, expecting the need to make plans to get to their final destination, only to discover that the pilot had played a prank on them. There was no "emergency" and the plane has actually landed exactly where it was supposed to be.
Needless to say that some of the passengers didn't share his sense of humor. American Eagle has confirmed the incident, and claims the matter is now "a personnel issue". Fingers crossed for the pilot that someone at HQ understands the need for a joke every now and then.
I've been on the receiving end of a couple of cockpit pranks before, but I can't say I've ever run into a pilot who tricked his entire plane into thinking they were going to land somewhere else.
What are your thoughts on this? Would you laugh it off, or immediately write a letter demanding one million miles?
(Image source: Flickr/Geir. W)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
raymond Aug 24th 2008 4:49PM
Ahhh....NOT FUNNY? Years ago, I would think he would be looking for a new job, but the way things are with the airlines they will more than likely let him stay and get a few more hours in. You get what you pay for I suppose!
bforr@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 2:57PM
YOU COULDN'T BE MORE CORRECT. THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE SERIOUS THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. EITHER GO TO MY PROFILE ON AOL UNDER BFORR, OR GO TO EBAY, UNDER CAL10PILOT. SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM, UNLESS YOU LIKE AVIATION AND SPACE RELATED ITEMS.
dacbroker Aug 26th 2008 6:19PM
FIRED? Fired for a joke? Poor simple Ray. Must have a tough life for you to want someone to lose their income due to a joke that some don't find funny. It didn't cause anyone any trouble. Little angry Ray...funny boy.
Secret Asian Man Aug 24th 2008 4:49PM
I'd laugh it off. It's not like the pilot waited till its too late to tell them.
People are so serious these days.
otrpu Aug 26th 2008 10:28AM
I'd laugh it off. But, I think that pilots that are closet comedians should pick a more appropriate place to practice. I doubt that joke would get much of a laugh anywhere. JMHO
Taiseikan@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 12:18PM
Jokes are cool , but for a Pilot of a plane to make a joke im sorry not funny, planes do not have nice accidents???? duh what was he thinking, hes going to get reprimanded for sure, the consequenses of his immature joke. When your on a plane you dont want to hear anything except, thank you, on time goodbye For the Pilot Joke Your Fired. haha or Laid off haha not funny.
GnrlJEJohnston@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 12:59PM
That was a good one on the passengers. The best on however is shortly after the pilot tells the passengers all the good things about the aircraft, forgetting that his mike was still on, says to the co-pilot, "let's see if we can get this pile of junk off the ground now."
GnrlJEJohnston@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 12:56PM
When flying today, the only thing you have to worry about is when the pilot comes out of the cockpit wearing a parachute and says that he is going for help.
forhall Aug 26th 2008 1:48PM
I might laugh it off except I would be concerned if I had family or friends at the airport and I started worrying that something bad happened at the airport, like a plane crash, bomb in the terminal (like Glasgow), a shooting (like at LAX), or whatever.
We can't make jokes to security. I appreciate a little levity from the flight crews since I fly 100,000 miles a year. But this approaches crying "'fire' in a crowded theater." What if I had called immediately on touchdown and succeeded in changing plans and things go hopelessly confused?
Autumn Lea Aug 26th 2008 9:28PM
I would laugh it off.. BUT since it was already 2 hours late his decision was not the best.. I still thought it was funny and would not be mad if I was on the plane.
tammy Aug 24th 2008 8:58PM
EVERYTHING IS SO SERIOUS NOW IN LIFE... AI THINK THAT IT IS OKAY AND THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE LIGHT - IN STEAD OF PEOPLE BEING UPSET AND TRIPPING. I THINK THAT IT SI FUNNY...... GOD EVEN BELIEVE IB HUMOR !!!!!!!!!
savethelounge@yahoo.com Aug 25th 2008 9:48PM
Nothing wrong with humor, but pranks are for unprofessionals and punks on TV. What's the next prank, "Sorry, Ladies and Gentlemen but we lost the main flux drive and are going to crash. Stewardesses, please prepare for crashing"?
This pilot shouldn't be fired, but he should be punished for unprofessionalism.
Michael Aug 26th 2008 8:11AM
savethelounge:
It's sad that you consider that to be so "unprofessional", considering the drastic difference between the two completely different things that are stated in your "prank" and what the pilot had actually done. He put no one in danger, and in all seriousness, those who didn't find it funny should have at least just been greatful they didn't have the delay they thought they had... Although regardless, I would have found it funny, but please know, your logic is horribly flawed, and i hope you reconsider your stupid remark.
trainingmgr55@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 8:36AM
I agree. His behavior, while not malicious, was unprofessional. That kind of "prank" can cause undue stress which CAN be physically harmful to some people causing some really bad and potentially serious physical reactions. I think the incident should be considered in light of his intention. I don't think he was trying to do harm, he just didn't think it all the way through.
keylempi Aug 26th 2008 8:11AM
Obviously those who think it is a good joke don't travel week in and week out and haven't had it happen to them. When you have been away from home for one or more weeks the LAST thing you want to hear is that you are going to be delayed AGAIN! It happens too often in reality that a person hoping to get home to see his or her family on Friday evening doesn't get there until Saturday and then barely has time to do laundry and repack for next Monday's trip. Personally I don't find it a bit funny and I'm a pilot too!
mkt245@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 11:21AM
I do fly more often than most, and have had long delays, fogged in or out, mechanical, need to get new crew because if they fly they will be over in hours etc.. I am one who does not get all angry with the airlines things happen. But God bless the flight attendents, Pilots, First Officer etc.. that can joke once and a while not a big deal.. Lighten up people it is always easy to be the critic and tell someone else how to do their job.
david Aug 26th 2008 6:32AM
might be a little risky...next time in a real emergency you wont know if he is joking..
Stephen Aug 26th 2008 6:39AM
The joke was, what's worse landing in Cleveland or Toledo?
dacbroker Aug 26th 2008 6:20PM
now thats a funny joke!
JovansMom Aug 26th 2008 6:44AM
You know it was a joke. I can understand people getting a bit upset but angry? Life is too short for that. They need to grow up and get a life. It was a joke for heavens sake. Watch they'll probably fire the guy over this issue. They have much more important things to watch and worry about. Firing him for that doesn't make sense. Write him up. Forget it.