Southwest pilot whose X-rated rant was recorded is being investigated by FAA

Federal safety officials are investigating a Southwest pilot who was recorded making a cuss-filled rant about Northern California liberals as his plane readied for takeoff in San Jose, California. A spokesman for the FAA said Friday that the agency also reported the incident to the airline. Southwest said it was handling the matter internally. The incident, first reported by SFGate.com, happened earlier this month at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. “(Expletive) this place, Goddamn liberal (expletive),” the unidentified pilot says on the recording. “(Expletive) weirdos, probably driving around in (expletive) Hyundais ... go slow as (expletive).” The pilot also worked in an admiring reference to “coal rolling,” which is modifying a truck to spew out more exhaust. A few seconds later, he can be heard telling air traffic controllers, “Southwest 531 is ready to go.” The plane was cleared for takeoff. It wasn’t clear what, if anything, set off the pilot. “FAA regulations prohibit airline pilots from talking about subjects that are unrelated to safely conducting their flight while taxiing and while flying below 10,000 feet altitude,” said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. Southwest declined to identify the pilot. A spokesman said his comments “are inconsistent with professional behavior and overall respect that we require of our employees.”<br/>