United Airlines Flight Delayed After Passenger Smokes Cannabis on Plane
A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Cancun was delayed for four hours after a passenger allegedly smoked cannabis in the plane's toilets while it was still on the ground. The incident occurred on August 5, and the delay was caused by the exposure of the flight crew to secondhand smoke. A replacement crew was brought in, and the entire flight was deplaned. Passengers were later given $15 meal vouchers as compensation for the delay.
Key Takeaways:
- The flight, UA1679, was originally scheduled to depart from San Francisco airport to Cancun in Mexico on August 5, but was delayed due to administrative issues and a passenger smoking cannabis in the plane's toilets.
- The passenger was caught and removed from the flight, but the flight crew's exposure to secondhand smoke led to a replacement crew being brought in.
- The pilot refused to take off due to concerns over secondhand smoke exposure, which could lead to a positive drug test and the risk of having their pilot's license revoked.
- United Airlines declined to comment on the incident.
- Passengers were each given a $15 meal voucher as compensation for the delay, which was caused by the four-hour delay.
- The International Airport Transport Security Administration (TSA) notes that its officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but will refer any suspected violations to local, state, or federal authorities.
Statistics:
- 4 hours: the length of the delay caused by the passenger smoking cannabis on the plane
- 15: the amount of the meal voucher given to each passenger as compensation for the delay
- 1: the number of passengers who allegedly smoked cannabis on the plane
- 30 years: the number of years the pilot had left in their career with United Airlines, according to a Reddit post
- 11.12: the equivalent USD value of the $15 meal voucher in British Pounds
- $15: the value of the meal voucher given to each passenger
Sources:
- FlightAware
- The Independent