Airline crew members caught with stolen phones – and it's not the first time

Two members of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight crew have been fired after British customs officials found stolen cell phones in their hand luggage. Mohammad Nadeem Anwar and Saima Butt were supposed to fly from London-Heathrow to Islamabad, but were given a pair of termination letters instead of a gate assignment. A PIA spokesperson told Karachi-based newspaper DAWN that the airline had a zero-tolerance policy toward such behavior, a policy it has had to enforce on multiple occasions this year.

According to reports from Scotland Yard, Anwar and Butt were arrested in the Terminal 3 departure lounge at Heathrow on Monday, and were each carrying one cell phone that had been reported stolen. A police spokesperson told Geo News:

"A 38-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They were taken to a west London police station and have since been bailed to a date in late November."

This was at least the fourth time this year that PIA crew members have been caught with stolen merchandise at Heathrow airport. In September, a male crew member was busted with three cell phones before the exact same London to Islamabad flight – PK786 – and arrested at the airport. In June, five crew members were fired after Heathrow customs officials caught them with seven cell phones and £20,000 ($30,845) in cash. Other crew members have previously been caught with stolen cigarettes and bridal wear. (And let's not forget the steward who was arrested in Birmingham with 26 passports stuffed in his underwear.)

When Geo News asked PIA's UK manager why there have been so many crew member arrests he deflected the question like a pro. "I deal with sales only and not with rest of the matters," Asim Babar said. "PIA in Pakistan can answer what's going on."

Road Warrior Voices has contacted PIA and will update this story with any additional information we receive.