Pilot threatens to turn plane around after passenger AirDrops nudes
‘Whatever that AirDrop thing is, quit sending naked pictures, and let’s get yourselves to Cabo’
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A Southwest Airlines pilot told passengers he would turn the plane around if they did not stop sending nude photographs on AirDrop.
In the bizarre announcement, which was captured in a viral video, the pilot announced before take-off that he would “have to pull back into the gate, everybody’s going to have to get off. We’re going to have to get security involved.”
And on the video posted by Teighmars Marsalis, which has had more than 2m views, the pilot says over the intercom that “Vacation is going to be ruined.”
“Whatever that AirDrop thing is, quit sending naked pictures, and let’s get yourselves to Cabo,” he added.
Some TikTok users commented that the pilot was giving off “major dad vibes.”
@teighmars @robloxsouthwestair takes airdropping nudes very seriously. #AEJeansSoundOn #WorldPrincessWeek ♬ original sound - Teighlor Marsalis
“Don’t make me turn this plane around,” commented @jim_casey.
In June a man was kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight from Detroit to Denver when he decided to send a lewd photo to several devices around him.
In a TikTok video of the incident, the man told a female cabin crew member that he was “Just having a little fun”.
The practice, known as “cyberflashing”, is a growing issue around AirDrop technology, which enables smartphone users to send unsolicited files to strangers who are nearby.
It is not the first time an AirDrop has caused disruption to a flight: in July 2021, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a teenager sent pictures of a toy gun to other passengers onboard.
Meanwhile, in May, a flight was postponed in Israel after more than 150 passengers received an eerie photo of a plane crash, sent anonymously to their phones, while already in their seats.
The Independent has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments