United Airlines Pilots Union Leader Resigns Due to Improper Comments

The controversial head of the United Airlines pilots union resigned on December 21, 2022, after just two days in the position, due to a series of sexist and anti-minority texts and comments.

Neil Swindells submitted his resignation as chairman of the United branch of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents United’s 15,000 pilots, to the United master executive council on Wednesday.

Mike Harrison, vice chairman of United ALPA, assumes the role of temporary chairman for the time being. He is a Dulles-based Boeing 777 international captain who was a contender for the position.

In his letter, Swindells said that he would immediately resign as chairman of MEC and as a board member of the airline.

“I have had a spotless record of service to the association and the company for over 27 years, but errors in judgment on a pilot forum may have damaged that reputation,” Swindells wrote. “It is time for me to go back to the line and do what I have loved doing for over 27 years, which is flying with the best, most professional pilots in the aviation industry.

Swindells routinely commented disparaging remarks about pilot leaders with whom he disagreed on the UAL Pilotsforum.org forum, usually using anger. In addition, several of his comments were derogatory against women and minorities