BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has fired two executives over their drunken behaviour after a transpacific Air Canada flight they were on had to be diverted to Vancouver, British Columbia.
The employees, George Campbell (45) and Paul Alexander Wilson (38) were on a flight to Beijing, China, from Toronto, Ontario, last week when it had to change its course.
A passenger on board the plane had said Campbell and Wilson were fighting with the flight attendants and it took the entire crew to subdue the two men, who were eventually handcuffed to seats, The Waterloo Record reported.
“RIM expects that its employees conduct themselves in a manner reflective of our strong principles and standards of business behaviour,” said RIM in a statement.
“RIM does not condone behaviour that conflicts with applicable laws and employees are expected to act, at all times, with integrity and respect. The individuals involved in this incident are no longer employed by RIM.”
RIM wouldn’t reveal what positions the pair held, but sources have told The Toronto Star newspaper that Campbell was a senior vice-president and Wilson was a vice-president.
The two men, both from Kitchener, Ontario, pleaded guilty to mischief last week in a British Columbia court. A judge has ordered them to pay almost $36,000 each in restitution to Air Canada. They also received suspended sentences, probation for a year, and have been banned from having any contact with Air Canada crews or flying with the airline for a year.
