A Southwest Airlines co-pilot has been arrested at Albany International Airport, New York state, after a loaded gun was found in his carry-on bag.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered the .45 calibre firearm, which was loaded with six bullets, at a security checkpoint.
The TSA officer alerted a police officer who confiscated the firearm and arrested the pilot on a weapons charge.
This caused a delay to the Chicago bound flight of about four hours.
TSA Upstate New York federal security director Bart R Johnson said: "This incident highlights the importance of what TSA and its dedicated security officers do each and every day in protecting the flying public."
The co-pilot faces a civil penalty fine of up to $12,000.
