Arizona real estate agent arrested after unruly airline behavior, fired by employer
Layne Arthur Lundeen, 67, was zip-tied and duct-taped to his seat on a diverted American Airlines flight after allegedly hurling racial and homophobic slurs.
What happened
On September 3, Layne Arthur Lundeen, a 67-year-old Arizona real estate agent, became disruptive approximately two hours into American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas to Newark, allegedly making racial slurs, homophobic remarks, and vulgar language toward airline staff and passengers. Two passengers, former law enforcement officer Juan Mejia and Richard Olenick, intervened when the situation turned physical, restraining Lundeen with duct tape and zip ties to his seat. The flight was diverted and made an emergency landing at Baltimore/Washington International Airport around 10:15 p.m., where Lundeen was arrested by Maryland transportation authority police and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault. He was released the next day on his own recognizance. Tucson's Long Realty Company, where Lundeen listed himself as vice-president, broker, and realtor, announced on September 3 that it had "ended its affiliation" with him, stating his conduct was inconsistent with the company's values of professionalism and integrity.
Context
The incident represents a high-profile case of alleged air rage—criminal misbehavior on commercial flights. Lundeen's swift termination by Long Realty reflects corporate efforts to distance themselves from employees engaged in conduct involving racial discrimination or hate speech. His next scheduled court appearance is October 19 in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The case has drawn widespread online attention partly through photographs of Lundeen restrained in his seat.