Delta is investigating a pilot for making anti-Pete Buttigieg comments

Delta Air Lines is investigating allegations that a pilot used a message to passengers to blame a grounded plane on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Flights all over Florida had to remain on the ground on Monday because of major issues with the air traffic control system, Reuters reported. The FAA worked on finding a solution, but not without setting restrictions on the traffic entering Florida airspace, leading to delays across the US. The grounding of Florida flights came after a period of Christmas chaos as severe weather prompted delays and cancellations in the thousands. Southwest Airlines was hit the hardest, taking more than a week to recover from its staffing problems. On Monday, a pilot in Atlanta is reported to have blamed the problems on Buttgieg in his message to passengers. One of the passengers, Stewart Lucas, tweeted his criticism of the airline, arguing that political messages were not appropriate for a pilot. “@Delta it is not okay for the pilot of flight 2274 ATL-RSW to blame a Florida ground stop on @PeteButtigieg,” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet. “Completely unacceptable political dig just made twice at gate over loud speaker.” In addition to the tweet, the account later appeared to also have been deleted. While specific information regarding what the pilot said wasn’t immediately available, airlines have previously let employees go for political statements. A spokesperson for Delta told the outlet that they’re looking into the allegation against the pilot.<br/>