He went out in style, i could only wish to do something as outrageous. I do not think he was suicidal, he had limited fuel and the skill to land it. I have listened to the ATC transcript several times, yes he was slightly off base but if he had a better fortune from the gods he had a gift, he knew he could do it, he planned it, and he did it.
He didn’t waste his time protesting in Portland. Nor posting on Facebook ot Twiter with complaints. Even i had dreams of stealing an aircraft in the past.
And in summary i believe he felt upset about too many minority workers surrounding him at work.
This has shocked 5he industry, this was a good nice smart person in their employment, what about the thousands of immigrants, many muslim?
Richard Russel, my hat if i wore one is off to you buddy! Now go fly that plane where mortals cannot.
Thankfully, for the rest of us, there aren’t as many lunatics like him, or you, around. Or how did you put it so quaintly “slightly off base” ... gee, ya think ?!
The guy had no pilot’s license, and stole a plane that could be used as a bomb. He could have gone “out in style” by flying into somebody’s home. He was a selfish POS whose biggest problem was that he wasn’t getting $15 an hour.
Yes because grand theft airplane is something everyone should emulate.