TUCSON, AZ- It has long been said that duct tape has many uses, however restraining out-of-control airline passengers may be a new one. Now, a man who became unhinged during an American Airlines flight has not only learned the usefulness of duct tape but has also lost his job, The New York Post reports.
Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, who at that age should probably know better, was duct-taped and zip-tied after going on a racially charged rant on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark last week. After the incident went public, Lundeen was fired from his job at Tucson-based Long Realty, according to a statement the company posted to Facebook.
“Long Realty is aware of reports concerning criminal charges filed against a [now] former affiliated real estate agent arising from an incident that allegedly occurred during a commercial flight,” the company wrote.
“Upon learning of the incident, Long Realty promptly ended its affiliation with the individual. The individual is no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity,” the company said.
“The conduct described in the reports is wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those affiliated with the company.”
The company said that agency affiliates should uphold those values and they “have no tolerance for conduct that so clearly falls short of those expectations.”
“Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew members, and others affected by this incident,” the company concluded.
On his LinkedIn profile, Lundeen said he was vice president of the company, however his profile has now been erased from the company’s website.
According to a passenger on the plane, Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer, and a friend, Richard Olenick, responded when Lundeen became increasingly belligerent near the end of the flight, ABC News reported.
“[The] gentleman sitting two rows behind us started becoming belligerent, making derogatory remarks to the staff of American Airlines and other passengers, racial slurs, vulgar language, very offensive to the women” sitting in the row behind Lundeen, Mejia told the outlet.
Olenick said Mejia “got up right away and jumped in the seat right next to the passenger and began working on restraining him order to keep the situation contained.”
Viral photos later showed Lundeen’s head, hands, and torso duct-taped to the passenger seat, and his wrists were also bound together to restrain him.
The plane diverted to Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) in Baltimore due to a “disruptive customer” and Lundeen was arrested by authorities without incident there. The FBI confirmed Lundeen was arrested by the Maryland Transportation Police. The aircraft continued to Newark after the incident, American Airlines told The Post.
Lundeen is facing state charges including second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, court records showed.
“The FBI is currently conducting interviews to gather the facts and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed,” the FBI told The Post. Lundeen will likely, at a minimum, face a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew.
Comments