Suspected Drunk Delta Airlines Pilot Removed From Plane At Minneapolis Airport

A Delta Airlines pilot that authorities suspect was drunk before flight was removed from a fully-boarded plane and later arrested.

According to Patrick Hogan, spokesperson for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where the incident happened, Gabriel Lyle Schroeder was booted out of the plane on Tuesday morning over suspicion he was under the influence of alcohol.

The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits pilots from flying within eight hours of drinking alcohol and Minnesota’s alcohol limit for pilots is 0.04  percent .

The 37-year-old from Rosemount, Minnesota, was arrested a little after 11 a.m local time following an investigation by the airport police, but he was released later on the same day.

Schroeder drew attention to himself when he left the pre-boarding TSA screening line for crew members after noticing that an additional screening was being conducted.

Hogan explained that the Transportation Security Administration routinely have random changes in its processes as an added layer of security to prevent people from gaming the security system.

"The individual left the line, which drew suspicion," Hogan told CNN.

Schroeder managed to board Flight 1728 that was supposed to fly from Minneapolis to San Diego. Officers, however, already reported him to the airport police, which conducted two sobriety checks.

One showed Schroeder was indeed intoxicated while the result of the other test is still pending. Authorities later found a container of alcohol in his possession.

Other employees who were around Schroeder also suspected he was drunk because of the smell of booze on his breath.

Hogan said that no formal charges and complaints were immediately filed against the pilot pending the results of toxicology tests, which could take up to a week.

“The case is still under investigation and we are awaiting final toxicology results, so a detailed report is not available at this time,” Hogan said, according to The Tribune.

In a statement, Delta said it is currently working with local authorities. The airlines, however, declined to provide information about the pilot’s employment record, and if he had any disciplinary issues in the past.

“Delta’s alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation,” the statement read. “Delta is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation.”