The firing of a pilot at Allegiant Air for ordering the evacuation of a plane could ultimately endanger the safety of passengers, according to court documents.
In pre-trial testimony Allegiant pilots said it sets a dangerous precedent as pilots will likely be more hesitant to report mechanical problems for fear of possible dismissal.
"That type of message I would say is dangerous to the public safety because it puts pilots in a position where they don’t report safety issues, they don’t report mechanical issues. They may even hesitate at a time they need to evacuate," said pilots union leader Cameron Graff, who gave testimony.
Graff also believes the dismissal of pilot Jason Kinzer was a warning to all pilots who were involved in a labor dispute at the time.
"It’s my opinion that Captain Kinzer was terminated to quell the pilot group, to keep the pilots from reporting safety events, emergencies, those type of events," said Graff.
In June 2015 Kinzer was informed by flight crew thick smoke was detected inside the cabin and the flight returned to Pinellas County Airport where passengers deplaned by an emergency chute.
Allegiant maintains Kinzer displayed poor judgement and an evacuation wasn’t necessary.
Kinzer is suing the airline for wrongful dismissal.
