Imagine you’re on a long‑haul flight from San Francisco to London. Suddenly, a man bursts out of the bathroom naked and clearly tripping on something. You roll your eyes at the absurdity, waiting for flight attendants to take control. Then you realize, that is your flight attendant.

Haden Pentecost, a 41‑year‑old British Airways flight attendant from Basingstoke, was fired for his behavior during a flight in May. When colleagues noticed he was acting off, he claimed he had stomach cramps but said he was fit for duty on the airplane. Later, they found him in the lavatory, “dishevelled, pale, sweaty and erratic.” He locked himself inside. When he emerged, he was “completely naked.” And that isn’t the weirdest part.

Pentecost was reportedly “oblivious” to the fact that he was naked. A colleague dressed him and sat him in a seat. The captain then made a PA announcement asking for any medical professionals aboard to assist.

He drank between 15 and 20 bottles of water, had dilated pupils, and couldn’t name the year or the U.S. president. After landing at Heathrow, paramedics met the aircraft and took him to the hospital. A blood test showed methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system. He was fired. But that wasn’t the end.

Judge to flight attendant Pentecost “You really let yourself down”

Facing Isleworth Crown Court, Pentecost admitted to performing aviation duties while impaired by drugs. Judge Hannah Duncan said, “You don’t need me to tell you just how serious this offence was. Cabin crew perform an essential safety role. It would have been frightening for any passengers to see you in that position. You really let yourself down.”

The Judge added that Pentecost failed to complete pre-flight safety checks. What’s more, his condition was a “huge distraction” for the captain and crew. In case of an emergency, that could have been deadly. But she also admitted the case was “quite unique.”

She noted his immediate guilty plea, previous good character, and lack of aggression as mitigating factors. Sentenced to six months in prison—suspended for a year—he was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and pay £150 in costs. (itv.com & sky.com)