@abcnews: Joe Emerson, a former Alaska Airlines pilot, says it was the biggest mistake of his life. In 2023, Emerson says that he took psilocybin mushrooms – two days before traveling in a cockpit jump seat for a flight during which he pulled two red levers that could have shut down both of the plane's engines. The next 30 seconds would put 83 lives in danger, end his career, and leave him with the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. #news #alaskaairlines
is no one gonna talk about the handles not working tho lol what if they were needed in an actual emergency 💀
2024-08-23 17:06:29
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Melanie · Ex-Disney Character :
he’s brave to speak on this. it’s a huge issue that pilots are afraid to get diagnosed with anything. I believe even an ADHD diagnosis can be career ending.
2024-08-23 17:24:36
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Priscilla :
My god! Thank you god all those people were safe, don’t all those pilots go through a physical exam and psych evaluation frequently??? It should be a requirement this is awful to think that pilots possibly go through this
2025-07-20 15:33:16
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severus :
mental health is just as important as physical health. I hope he gets the help he needs
2024-08-23 17:10:34
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Cristi :
My hsbnd took them and ran out the door after seeing demons…he thought a river was frozen but it wasn’t and he drowned. Took 5 wks to find him. It was our first time doing them. Married 2 months 🥺
2024-08-23 19:54:07
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MrBoJangles2022 :
I’m a pilot, my dad was and my grandfather. They were tough men but good men. They flew long hours, were away from home and never complained. They taught me to do the same. Men need to be strong
2024-08-23 13:55:02
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jennyfourtwenny :
What amount of mushrooms do you need to eat to last two days?? I’ve eaten an ounce and been fine the next day.
2024-08-23 21:14:11
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Jeni from the block :
I applaud him for being able to come out and say what he said we all make mistakes and he was in a career that doesn’t let you be honest about your health and safety and he was just trying to make it through a tough time and he isn’t proud of what happened and he just has to deal with the fact of what happened he shouldn’t be a pilot anymore but he doesn’t deserve to go to jail we all make really bad mistakes and he has been upfront about his situation things need to change
2025-06-20 10:37:33
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yes :
Very brave to talk about this
2024-08-23 17:15:39
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Sabrina W :
this is heartbreaking, you can see it and hear it he is battling for his life and wants awareness ❤️hope he is OK and the passengers can get through this.
2024-08-23 16:10:07
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Nelly :
Should he go to prison? Hmm no. But lose his job? Yes. Unfortunately he made too big of a mistake and hopefully he gets the helps he needs
2024-08-23 19:13:44
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user4293054758057 :
no one mentioning the levers didn't work? good thing in this case but doesn't that mean it'd fail if there was a fire?😳
2024-08-23 14:11:35
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Farrahsumlin :
I’ve done mushrooms and unless you eat in like five or six bags of them, I don’t think you’re still gonna fill them two days later so don’t think that’s true
2024-08-23 18:32:06
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Omie :
Poor guy. I hope he gets the help he and many pilots may need. Brave to speak out.
2024-08-23 20:44:22
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johns78 :
Lock him up and throw away the key! Silly baldy
2024-08-23 21:54:09
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Owen Egolf :
Wow that’s crazy. I remember my first time flying a plane.
2024-08-23 13:16:07
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Nomaddy :
People underestimate how stressful being a pilot and traffic controller can be. Hopefully him speaking out will help change that.🙏🏻🙏🏻
2024-08-23 17:25:59
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cassidyyjayne :
Wow what a crazy story. I’m so glad he’s talking about it
2024-08-23 15:40:07
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Kxxxxxxxx :
This is heartbreaking
2024-08-23 15:56:53
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as told by Brittany :
my heart goes out to him. this is heartbreaking to hear. I always wonder about pilots' mental health / whether or not they are overworked.
2024-08-23 22:35:16
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Chrissy :
Ummmmmmmmmm what
2024-08-23 16:21:49
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Jenn-Evans :
this is not a misconception; they will shut you down. but he is correct ; THAT needs to change. he is right ---- if the pilot is suffering with mental health and is properly managing it --- safe to
2024-08-23 15:01:14
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Obamacare :
This is why the FAA needs to update its policy on mental health. If you are depressed or were ever medicated for mental health, they’ll pull your medical, leaving you unable to fly again. Leading people to self medicate or go without help.
2025-05-28 06:40:23
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jasonew9195 :
This is completely real and I feel for this man. I have been going through something for a year now where I randomly can’t understand normal things around me. It goes on for about a week then nothing
2024-08-23 23:54:55
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