Two experienced airline pilots, sacked by Flybe after having a furious cockpit row on a flight to Malaga last may, are claiming unfair dismissal.
Captain Stephen Bird and First officer Stephen Akers from Exeter were sacked following a full investigation by the airline which concluded that safety standards had been compromised.
A tribunal heard that the bad feeling between the two men, both in their 50's, began when Captain Bird described First Officer Akers as his 'Bitch' before their jet took off from Exeter.
The row intensified during the flight when Bird ignored Akers request to avoid dark clouds and turbulence for safety reasons.
Akers described him as a control freak but despite the bad feeling the flight landed safely in Malaga.
The return journey took place in virtual silence with Mr Akers reading a newspaper.
They refused to shake hands and both men filed an air safety report on their return to Exeter. Following an enquiry, they were sacked by Flybe for causing a 'potential risk to the safety of passengers'.
The hearing continues.
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