Suspected drunk Delta pilot removed from flight, arrested 20 minutes before takeoff

A Delta pilot was removed from the cockpit of a fully boarded plane ready to take off from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Tuesday morning and arrested under the suspicion that he was intoxicated.

Gabriel Lyle Schroeder, 37, of Rosemount, Minn., was taken into custody aboard Delta Flight 1728 around 11 a.m. local time following an investigation by airport authorities, airport spokesman Patrick Hogan told CNN.

The San Diego-bound flight was slightly delayed by the incident and ended up departing Minnesota around 12:32 p.m.

Schroeder allegedly noticed TSA officers conducting additional screening while he was waiting to go through security for crew members and removed himself from the line, "which drew suspicion."

Employees who spotted him reported the act to airport police, who then conducted two sobriety tests, one of which allegedly found Schroeder was under the influence of alcohol, according to KTSP. Results from the second test remain pending.

Investigating authorities reportedly found an "alcoholic container" in Schroeder's possession, and other employees said they could smell booze on him.

Schroeder was booked and released later on Tuesday. Formal charges have yet to be filed against him as investigators await a full toxicology report, which may take up to a week, Hogan told CNN.

In a statement, Delta said it is fully "cooperating with local authorities in their investigation."

"Delta's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation," the company noted.

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