An Air India pilot, after being found in possession of marijuana in his bag, was sent back by the US authorities this week. The pilot was travelling as a passenger on a flight from the national capital to San Francisco. The pilot has been derostered (removed from a working roster), one of the sources informed.
"One of our crew members travelling from Delhi to San Francisco on 14 April, for positioning to operate a subsequent flight, was found to be inadmissible as per local laws and has been sent back to India," an airline spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.
The pilot was "deadheading" to San Francisco. An internal probe has been initiated by Air India, sources added. Generally, 'deadheading' refers to a flight crew travelling as a passenger to his or her base station or to another place for duty.
The airline said appropriate strict disciplinary action would be taken as per laid-down company policies.
"Air India maintains zero-tolerance towards any violation of the law and upholds the highest standards of safety, compliance, and professional conduct," it said in the statement.
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