Pilot and Flight Attendant Clash, Delta Connection Flight Delay Ensues

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As unfortunate as it is, we've become somewhat used to hearing about incidents between crew and passengers or passengers and passengers. Up until now, there haven't been any notable issues between crewmembers. However, that all changed on Delta Air Lines Flight 3925 on Monday from LaGuardia (LGA) to Portland, Maine (PWM). A Delta Connection pilot and flight attendant got into a fight, causing the flight to be delayed about two hours.

According to the New York Daily News, the 54-year-old Delta Connection pilot and 26-year-old flight attendant got into an altercation before the plane took off. According to witnesses, the pilot called the flight attendant "a piece of s***t," while the two were standing in the aisle of the CRJ-900 aircraft.

The source continued to say that the pilot's comments toward the flight attendant were not appropriate. "His conversation was racist, inconsiderate and unprofessional," the passenger said. Ultimately, the flight left LGA about two hours after its scheduled departure. Both the flight attendant and the pilot claimed that the other had aggressively grabbed the other's arm.

As many as six Port Authority officers carrying guns interviewed the crew in the jet bridge after takeoff was halted. However, they determined that neither the flight attendant nor the pilot were injured, and no arrests were made. Both of the crew members were required to leave the aircraft before the flight eventually took off around 1:30pm.

The airline has since responded, noting that the flight was operated by its subsidiary, Endeavor Air. "Endeavor Air apologizes to the customers on board Endeavor Air flight 3925, operating as Delta Connection, from LaGuardia to Portland, Maine whose travel was inconvenienced as a result of a disagreement between two crew members," a spokesman said. "The actions of these crew members, as described, in no way reflects the respect, values and professionalism we expect from our employees."