A United Airlines flight attendant mysteriously broke a huge rule and cost the airline a ton of money
The incident occurred around noon as United Flight 1246 pulled into the gate after arriving from Sacramento.
According to United Airlines, a female member of the cabin crew deliberately opened the right front door of the jet, deployed the emergency evacuation chute, and jumped out of the aircraft.
The airline has since removed the flight attendant from flight duties and has reviewed footage of the incident with the employee.
However, United has not revealed what caused the flight attendant engage in the mysterious act.
Although there was a medical situation reported on board the flight, it was unrelated to the incident, United told Business Insider.
Viewer photo of #united plane w/emergency slide deployed @ #iah. @jacelarson live #KPRC2 @ 4 https://t.co/cZxZe4Tu5t pic.twitter.com/6FGTDWh3FG
- KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) April 4, 2016
Fortunately for passengers, flight operations at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport were not delayed by the incident. The Boeing 737-900 was taken out of service and the slide was refitted on the aircraft.
However, the incident was not exactly free for the airline. It could cost anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 just to repack an undamaged slide into its container. The bill to repair and repack a damaged slide could run as high as $30,000.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- From terrace to table: 8 Edible plants you can grow in your home
- India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report
- New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months
- Gold plunges ₹1,450 to ₹72,200, silver prices dive by ₹2,300
- Strong domestic demand supporting India's growth: Morgan Stanley