Retaliatory Firing

Pilot Claims Airline Fired Him
For Reporting Hazardous Cargo
PORTLAND, ORE. (CN) – Ameriflight wrongfully fired a pilot because he complied with his public duty by reporting to the FAA that he “found undeclared hazardous cargo in his plane,” the pilot claims in Multnomah County Court. Larry Schiermeister says that on Aug. 13, 2004, he had to make an emergency landing at Redmond, Ore., after “hazardous material leaked from the cargo bay into the cockpit.” Schiermeister says the FAA investigated and found that Ameriflight had shipped undeclared hazardous cargo on the flight from Portland. He says Ameriflight, a Nevada corporation, retaliated by harassing him, threatening to reduce his hours and transferring him, then firing him. He demands $300,000 for lost wages and inability to find work and $250,000 for emotional distress. He is represented by Philip Lebenbaum. See the complaint via CourthouseNews.