Appeal date for sacked pilot

Kevin Unitt

01 May 2008

A PILOT from Leamington who was sacked after giving a Premiership footballer a tour of his cockpit has finally had a date set for his appeal.
Pablo Mason, a decorated gulf war veteran famed for his handlebar moustache, was axed by bosses at MyTravel in September last year after allowing Robbie Savage - then of Blackburn Rovers - onto the flight deck as the team flew home from a UEFA cup match in Finland.
Mr Mason, who carried out 23 bombing raids in the 1991 Gulf War and has written books on his experiences, said he had let the midfielder onto the flight deck to allay his fears of flying.
But under strict anti-terror laws, anyone other than authorised personnel is prevented from accessing the cockpit, and the 57-year-old father of two was promptly sacked from his £80,000 a year job for gross misconduct.
His appeal into the case will be heard for one day in Birmingham on July 4.
Capt Mason, who worked for MyTravel for 14 years - predominantly from Birmingham Airport - told the Observer: "It has been one of the longest years of my life.
"I am just looking forward to a resolution, whatever that may be."
Following his sacking, both Robbie Savage and the Blackburn chairman John Williams wrote letters in support of Capt Mason, and scores of residents across Warwick district also expressed their support for the pilot in letters to the Observer.
But a spokesman for MyTravel said at the time of his dismissal: "Captain Mason has been dismissed for a breach of the strict policies required by the regulatory authorities for all flight deck and cabin crew personnel.
"We have a zero tolerance policy towards any actions which could endanger the safety of our passengers and employees."

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