The Infamous CEO Behavior: Gerard Finneran's 1995 Flight Incident
Among the strange and bizarre incidents involving CEOs, the case of Gerard Finneran stands out as one of the most infamous. On a United Airlines flight in 1995, Finneran, 57 at the height of his career, engaged in a series of bizarre and unacceptable behaviors that left passengers and crew members in shock and disgust.
A Turbulent Journey
On the fateful flight from Buenos Aires to New York, Finneran, the president of an investment banking firm and a top graduate of the Air Force Academy, found himself refusing to adhere to standard behavior. When the flight crew refused to provide him with additional alcoholic beverages, Finneran became belligerent and took it upon himself to find the airplane's liquor cabinet. After being confronted again, Finneran escalated his behavior by threatening the staff. The incident would soon reach a climax.
The Grand Finale
Conspicuously drunk, Finneran proceeded to perform a series of acts that were both harrowing and scandalous. He climbed atop the airplane’s beverage cart, which was parked in the first-class aisle. In a display that can only be described as bizarre, Finneran proceeded to strip himself and defecated on a service cart in plain view of passengers and crew. He then used the first-class linens as toilet paper and smeared excrement all over one or more of the airplane seats. This act of desperation and indiscretion caused great shame and disgust, including among the First Class passengers, notably the President of Portugal who was on his way to address the United Nations.
The Aftermath
Following the outrageous behavior, U.S. Marshals arrested Finneran. He was sentenced to two years of probation, fined $5,000, and required to perform 300 hours of community service. Moreover, Finneran was ordered to reimburse all passengers for the total price of their airline tickets, to cover the cost of cleaning the airplane, estimated at around $50,000, and he was terminated from his position as CEO.
Public Humiliation and Afterlife
David Letterman and Jay Leno took full advantage of the incident, making Finneran the subject of ridicule on their late-night talk shows. His antics were listed as Top 10 segments on these shows, turning him into a laughingstock. Decades later, in 2005, Finneran died of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 67. Interestingly, his obituary made no mention of his infamous 1995 incident, highlighting how far such indiscretions can fade from public memory.
Lessons from the Incident
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of discipline and professionalism, even in high-pressure environments. It underscores the negative impact that such behavior can have on businesses, tarnishing not only the CEO's reputation but also that of the entire company. For aspiring and current CEOs, it serves as a cautionary tale of the critical role one's behavior plays in their leadership and reliability.
In conclusion, the peculiar behavior of Gerard Finneran on that fateful flight in 1995 is a testament to the consequences of poor judgment and a breakdown of professional conduct. This incident is a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of maintaining composure and integrity, even in the face of personal challenges.