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A United Airlines pilot fired After refusing to participate in a substance abuse program following best Arrest case is going on airline for racial Discrimination,
John Paul Castillo III, who was a air force pilot The airline was accused of violations for 13 years before joining United in January 2023. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and defamation one in trial Filed October 13 in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
The pilot was arrested in July 2023 for suspected DUI after field sobriety tests. Although no blood alcohol test was conducted, and the charges were ultimately dismissed, the airline pressured him to enroll in its substance abuse program, HIMS. trial,
Castillo declined to participate in the program, citing an independent substance-abuse assessment, which found that the incident was a “one-off” and that he did not have an alcohol-use disorder.
However, before he could share his findings, United fired him due to a temporary lapse FAA First Class Medical Certificate, which is mandatory for all airlines pilot,
In the lawsuit, Castillo accused United of violating the ADA by treating him as having an alcohol-use disorder and retaliating against him. They also argued in the lawsuit that a white probationary pilot facing similar DUI charges remained employed because he joined the HIMS treatment program.
“United’s decision to fire Mr. Castillo while allowing other pilots — including pilots who actually had alcohol use disorders — to remain employed while the FAA reviewed them represents disparate treatment based on its mistaken belief that Mr. Castillo was an alcoholic,” the lawsuit says.
The complaint alleges that United’s actions reflected “racial stereotypes about Hispanic males and alcohol use” and that the airline violated Title VII.
Castillo also claims he faced retaliation after he hired an attorney, with the lawsuit claiming that his boss, chief pilot Ernie Eller, told a union representative that Castillo was fired for “not having a lawyer and not communicating.”
“Eller’s statement demonstrates that United’s decision was motivated not only by its misconception about alcohol, but also by retaliation for Mr. Castillo’s protected act of retaining counsel to protect his rights.”
Castillo is also suing the airline for defamation because United allegedly told the FAA that his employment was terminated due to “pilot performance issues.”
The lawsuit states, “United knew or should have known that the ‘Pilot-Performance’ designation was incorrect when submitted, and it unreasonably delayed correcting the record for approximately eighteen months, during which Mr. Castillo incurred legal expense to obtain correction.”
The lawsuit claims Castillo suffered “reputational damage” and will miss out on employment opportunities because of United’s fault.
Castillo seeks reinstatement or back pay, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees.
United did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Independent.