January 30, 2014 - US Supreme Court ruled on
Monday that Air Wisconsin’s report to the TSA
regarding William Hoeper who was a pilot with
the company was not materially false and
reversed a $1.2 million jury award.
Back in 2004, Hoeper was a pilot for Air
Wisconsin Airlines, at the time the company was
updating its fleet of aircraft to larger and
modern aircraft. Hoeper was required to be
checked out in the company’s new aircraft in
order to keep his job. Hoeper under went flight
simulation training.
During his training he failed three attempts to
gain certification. Air Wisconsin agreed to give
him a fourth and final chance. During his fourth
attempt Hoeper became angry, raised his voice
and tossed his headset using profanity, accused
the instructor of “railroading the situation”
and then walked out. Hoeper was booked on a
flight as a passenger at the test location to
return back home in Denver.
Hoeper’s flight instructor contacted a company
manager and informed him of Hoeper’s behavior.
Because Hoeper was a Federal Flight Deck Officer
(FFDO), permitted “to carry a firearm while
engaged in providing air transportation the
company had concerns that Hoeper may maybe
caring his gun and may pose a threat on his
flight returning home. As a result Air Wisconsin
contacted the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) of the situation.
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