(NewsSpace.com) – Piloting can be a stressful job. It requires immense concentration and split-second decision-making capabilities to keep everyone onboard safe during their flights. However, pilots are still people, and sometimes, even they have bad days. Such was the case recently in Denver — and the story is a doozy.
On August 2, a United Airlines pilot who was leaving the Denver International Airport was apparently upset with the parking arm that granted access to the employee parking lot. Kenneth Henderson Jones decided to take matters into his own hands by taking an ax to the barrier. In a viral video, the 63-year-old is seen wielding the weapon a shocking 23 times until the parking arm falls off. But the story doesn’t end there.
After seeing Jones, who was wearing his pilot uniform, in action, an employee encountered him and tried to take away the ax. A scuffle ensued until a second employee intervened. Then Jones gave up the weapon and took off, running into a field. Denver Police put him in handcuffs and later released him after questioning. He drove away of his own accord. Nobody was reportedly injured in the skirmish.
Officials say Jones told them he was frustrated with the parking situation as people who didn’t have the proper permits were holding up the exit line. Six vehicles across three lanes were holding everyone up. Police said Jones “just hit his breaking point” and told them he “was trying to get rid of issues for everyone waiting.”
Authorities charged Jones with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, and he’s scheduled to appear in court on September 25. According to PEOPLE, he has also been removed from the schedule, and United Airlines is conducting its own investigation. Jones has no criminal history in the state of Colorado.
It’s not clear at this time when Jones, who is rated to fly large Boeing 757 and 767 jets, will return to work.
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