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A Delta Airlines pilot was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of being intoxicated right before take off.
Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan told CNN, 37-year-old Gabriel Lyle Schroeder from Rosemount, Minnesota was seen leaving a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) security checkpoint when he noticed there was additional screening.
"The individual left the line, which drew suspicion,"
Schroeder then went back to the security checkpoint later and boarded the plane. Flight 1728 was fully boarded with passengers and set to fly from Minneapolis to San Diego when authorities came on board. Schroeder was arrested and detained on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol.
It is alleged that officials found a “bottle” of alcohol in Schroeder's possession. Police reportedly conducted two sobriety checks on Schroeder. One of the tests found that he was intoxicated and the other test is still pending results.
.@Delta pilot Gabriel Schroeder, 37, was arrested this morning at @mspairport after @tsa officers say they smelled alcohol on his breath and called airport police. Schroeder was given a breathalyzer test. He was supposed to fly DL1728 to San Diego
— Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) July 30, 2019
Passengers who had already boared Delta Flight 1728 had to disembark the plane. There was a short delay before the flight was resumed with another pilot.
There have been no formal charges laid against Schroeder as investigators await toxicology reports that could take up to a week. Schroeder was booked and has since been released.
In a statement released to CNN Delta Airlines is cooperating with authorities.
"Delta's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation. Delta is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation," the statement said.
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