Arizona real estate agent fired after being duct-taped to seat on Dallas-Newark flight

Arthur Lundeen, 67, faces assault and disorderly conduct charges after an onboard attack on a fellow passenger. Long Realty severed ties immediately.

Arizona man duct-taped to airline seat loses real estate job after racist onboard attack

A 67-year-old Arizona man who was zip-tied and duct-taped to his seat aboard an American Airlines flight has been dismissed from his position at a Tucson realty firm, Toronto Sun Crime reports.

Arthur Lundeen faces disorderly conduct and assault charges following the incident on a Dallas-to-Newark flight last Thursday. His employer, Long Realty, confirmed he is "no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity."

"Long Realty is aware of reports concerning criminal charges filed against a former affiliated real estate agent arising from an incident that allegedly occurred during a commercial flight," the company stated on its social media and LinkedIn accounts. "Upon learning of the incident, Long Realty promptly ended its affiliation with the individual."

The statement added that the conduct described was "wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those affiliated with the company."

Passenger attacked and restrained mid-flight

Witnesses told CBS New York that Lundeen was allegedly drunk when he turned on a male passenger seated beside him approximately two hours into the flight.

Juan Mejia, a retired police officer who was on board, described how the confrontation escalated rapidly. "I turned around to look, and the poor gentleman that was sitting next to him in the aisle seat, the individual had his hands around his neck and was, like, assaulting him," Mejia told CBS New York.

Speaking separately to NBC News, Mejia said flight attendants attempted to de-escalate the situation before Lundeen directed what Mejia described as "derogatory remarks, racial comments" at those around him.

Another passenger, Richard Olenick, told CBS New York that Lundeen "called one of the flight attendants the N word." Anti-gay slurs were also allegedly hurled at the victim during the outburst.

Mejia and Olenick said they stepped in to assist flight attendants, helping to zip-tie Lundeen and secure him with duct tape to his seat for the remainder of the disturbance.

Flight diverted to Baltimore

The American Airlines flight was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where Maryland authorities took Lundeen into custody.

He now faces assault and disorderly conduct charges in connection with the incident.

Long Realty's statement made clear the company views the alleged behaviour as a fundamental breach of its standards. "We expect those associated with our company to uphold those values, and we have no tolerance for conduct that so clearly falls short of those expectations," the company said.

Source: Toronto Sun Crime