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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pilot loses Savage sacking appeal | Pilot loses Savage sacking appeal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An airline pilot has lost his appeal against being sacked for allowing a footballer onto his flight deck. | An airline pilot has lost his appeal against being sacked for allowing a footballer onto his flight deck. |
| Former Gulf War RAF pilot Pablo Mason was dismissed by Mytravel for breaking anti-terrorism rules on the private charter flight from Finland in August. | Former Gulf War RAF pilot Pablo Mason was dismissed by Mytravel for breaking anti-terrorism rules on the private charter flight from Finland in August. |
| Capt Mason, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, said he was trying to help Blackburn Rovers player Robbie Savage get over a fear of flying. | Capt Mason, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, said he was trying to help Blackburn Rovers player Robbie Savage get over a fear of flying. |
| He admitted bending the rules, but denied putting the flight at risk. | He admitted bending the rules, but denied putting the flight at risk. |
| The travel company has now upheld its decision, saying it followed various previous discussions with Capt Mason relating to security-related events. | The travel company has now upheld its decision, saying it followed various previous discussions with Capt Mason relating to security-related events. |
| Bombing missions | Bombing missions |
| Capt Mason told the BBC he was "crestfallen" at the ruling and said he would be taking the matter to an industrial tribunal. | |
| He had said he believed showing Savage, who also played for Birmingham City, Leicester City and Wales, how the aircraft worked would help his phobia. | He had said he believed showing Savage, who also played for Birmingham City, Leicester City and Wales, how the aircraft worked would help his phobia. |
| Robbie Savage sent a letter to the authority explaining what happened | Robbie Savage sent a letter to the authority explaining what happened |
| At the time of Capt Mason's sacking, a spokesman for Mytravel said the company had a "zero tolerance policy" towards anything that could endanger the safety of passengers and staff. | At the time of Capt Mason's sacking, a spokesman for Mytravel said the company had a "zero tolerance policy" towards anything that could endanger the safety of passengers and staff. |
| At that time, Blackburn Rovers also published a statement saying the club and Mr Savage had sent in a letter to the airline authorities explaining their versions of events. | At that time, Blackburn Rovers also published a statement saying the club and Mr Savage had sent in a letter to the airline authorities explaining their versions of events. |
| Capt Mason, who is known for his trademark handlebar moustache, carried out 23 bombing missions over Iraq during the first Gulf War. | Capt Mason, who is known for his trademark handlebar moustache, carried out 23 bombing missions over Iraq during the first Gulf War. |
| He later left the RAF and became a passenger airline pilot. | He later left the RAF and became a passenger airline pilot. |
| Last year Capt Mason began a fear of flying service for nervous passengers. | Last year Capt Mason began a fear of flying service for nervous passengers. |