Pilot threatens to cancel flight after naked photos sent via AirDrop

  • 31/08/2022

A viral video has captured the moment a pilot appears to threaten to cancel a flight after explicit images were allegedly sent by someone onboard.

It hasn't been verified who sent the images to whom, nor exactly what they showed.

The video, which was shared to TikTok, is said to have been recorded on a Southwest Airlines flight from Houston, Texas to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

In the footage, the pilot appears to be using the intercom to order those onboard to cease using Apple's AirDrop feature to send nude photos.

"So here's the deal, if this continues while we're on the ground, I'm going to have to pull back to the gate, everybody's going to have to get off," the pilot appears to say over the intercom.

"We're going to have to get security involved and this vacation is going to be ruined. So, you folks, whatever that AirDrop thing is, quit sending naked pictures and let's get yourself to Cabo."

In a statement to the New York Post, Southwest Airlines said: "The safety, security and wellbeing of Customers and Employees is the Southwest Team's highest priority at all times. When made aware of a potential problem, our employees address issues to support the comfort of those travelling with us."

The story has generated countless jokes from online commenters, many of whom compared the pilot to an angry parent.

"Haha, major dad vibes," one comment under the TikTok post said.

"This feels like my mom turning around in the car to me and my twin sister, 'IF YOU 2 DON'T STOP I SWEAR TO GOD...'," another joked, with a third adding: "'Don't make me come back there'."

"Everyone's gonna have to get off, huh?" a fourth deadpanned.

However, not everyone was amused. Although the recipient must accept receiving a photo via AirDrop, a preview of it is displayed on their device - potentially exposing them to unwanted graphic images.

This has allowed 'dick-dropping' or 'cyber-flashing' to become a problem.

It's not the first time X-rated images being sent over Airdrop has caused a commotion on a flight. In June, a woman captured the moment a man who allegedly sent a photo of his penis to an entire flight was confronted by a flight attendant over his shameful act.