UNITED FIRES ATTENDANT WHO DEPLOYED EMERGENCY SLIDE

Posted on 04/07/2016 | About Houston, Texas

United Airlines says it has fired a flight attendant who deployed an emergency evacuation slide at an airport in Houston. The woman opened the right front door of the Boeing 737 when it pulled into the gate at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston Texas. The door opening caused the emergency evacuation slide to be deployed and the crew member threw her bag out first and then jumped out of the aircraft onto the slide

The flight from Sacramento California had a medical situation on board, but it was considered unrelated to the behaviour of the crew member. 

The flight attendant was suspended and the aircraft was removed from service so the slide could be refitted on the plane; a service that can cost the airline up to $12,000 so long as it is undamaged. 

A United spokesman said Wednesday that the flight attendant no longer works for the carrier, but declined to release her name or details of her employment history with the Chicago-based airline. 

United has said the attendant deliberately deployed the emergency evacuation slide. No one was hurt. 

Officials have not released a possible motive for the incident. No charges were laid since the police were not involved and a family member of the flight attendant stated that she is fine, and dealing with a personal issue.