A self-proclaimed chemical engineer was reportedly fired from his job after his racist and homophobic meltdown on an airplane was caught on film.
The disgruntled passenger seen in the footage obtained by TMZ was identified as Zachary Easterly.
According to Queerty, he was escorted off a flight on August 30 that was flying from Philadelphia to Dallas for "bothering his seatmate."
Easterly could be heard exclaiming he was being kicked off the plane "because I'm racist" and "a little intoxicated," before going off on fellow passengers.
When the flight staff asked him to retrieve his bag and asked what color it was, he responded:
"Obviously, I’m a White male that picked a black bag ‘cuz I’m racist."
He added he had “a better bag than most of y’all can afford.”
You can watch the clip below.
Warning: NSFW language.
Things escalated when he hurled homophobic slurs and yelled:
“f'k all ya’ll! I hope all you liberal f**gots f'king crash the f'king plane.”
First things first, the way the airline staff calmly responded with authority was commendable.
\u201c@Imposter_Edits The patience of the flight crew and everyone on the plane is astounding. And this man just doxxed himself. Smooth bro. Good luck to you.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@GuntherGill @Imposter_Edits @GSK @GSKUS Notice how she stands her ground firmly - she doesn\u2019t back away as he moves towards her - she exudes authority that is actually controlling him even though he doesn\u2019t realize it. This marvelous lady deserves a bonus and a promotion.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits @AmericanAir is this your plane and crew? The professionalism displayed by these strong women deserves to be acknowledged. The queen dealing with him directly inspired a sense of security and safety. I look forward to my flight w you next month.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
Easterly, on the other hand, was given the stank eye.
\u201c@Imposter_Edits He better be banned from flying again for the crash the plane comments\u2026 that is literally terrorism even before he\u2019s started the plane stuff. Upsetting others for no reason\u2026 terrorist.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits Even at my drunkest (although not on a plane), I have never been this rude. Being drunk is no excuse for racism and homophobia. Without alcohol, I bet he is still not a nice human being.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits He doesn\u2019t like gay people\n\nHe doesn\u2019t like liberals\n\nHe feels he\u2019s being picked on for being a white guy, with a black bag. (patriarchy/racist)\n\nHe think his bag demonstrates he\u2019s better then everyone else\n\nHe seems entitled-So how does he navigate this melting pot of our world?\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits Clearly he\u2019s battling his own homosexual panic. He couldn\u2019t be any gayer if he tried.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits Doubly disturbing: this is a privileged, educated professional, not that camouflage-wearing guerilla warfare wannabe briefly freed from mom's paneled basement. We write these men off as fringe-y. Uh-uh: this is the aggrieved, Rogan-listening guy next door. He's everywhere.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Halcyon270 @Imposter_Edits Black Americans have never written them off as fringey. They are business ppl, realtors, florists, cops, bank mgrs, teachers, therapists, etc. The ones in camouflage do the dirty work, but these types nod in agreement & vote w/ them.They have always been everywhere.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits Just awful that people think it\u2019s cool to show the very worst of themselves. What a vicious entitled homophobe and racist\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
On his way out of the aircraft, he turned around and informed people where he worked and then encouraged them to contact his company.
“I’m a chemical engineer," he said and referred to the company he worked for, GlaxoSmithKline, by using a homophobic slur.
He quickly added:
"I'm planning to quit anyway. Reach out to the company."
@WestsideFireman/Twitter
LOL!! He actually sobered up for a split second after he said it but it was already way too late that train wreck.
— John Bizzell (@JohnBizzell13) September 4, 2022
\u201c@Imposter_Edits This is opposite of quiet quitting.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
Whether his planning to quit or not was true, he already sealed his own fate when he instructed people to contact his pharmaceutical and biotechnology company.
The internet eagerly went to work.
\u201c@Imposter_Edits @GSK @GSKUS @GSK_careers @GSK_ResponseCtr Is this your guy? He is very proudly proclaiming he works for you and can afford a very expensive bag. Not a good look.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits @Jerri_Lynn25\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits @DeathMetalV @GSK @GSKUS @GSK_careers @GSK_ResponseCtr does this disgraceful disgusting nasty man work for y\u2019all??!!? This repugnant embarrassment says he\u2019s a chemical engineer and works for your company. If so it\u2019s definitely not a good look.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
\u201c@Imposter_Edits OK so I know who it is now and it turns out he does work at our site in Montana. Not for long.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter_\ud83d\udd78\ufe0f) 1662079476
When TMZ reached out to GlaxoSmithKline, they informed the media outlet:
"We immediately conducted an investigation and as of Thursday, he is no longer employed at GSK."
"The person’s remarks were reprehensible and do not reflect our company culture."
\u201c@TMZ GlaxoSmithKline knows how to pick \u2018em \ud83d\ude05\ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\u201d— TMZ (@TMZ) 1662237956
\u201c@imjasonlbridges @TMZ They also know how to FIRE them.\ud83d\ude02Dude is unemployed and a viral racist.\u201d— TMZ (@TMZ) 1662237956
His toxic meltdown continued after deplaning.
In the video below, Easterly was heard using the n-word inside the terminal and threatening to kill people until airport security officers managed to wrestle him to the ground.
Warning: NSFW language.
Chemical Engineer Hurled N-Word, Got in Fight During Airplane Freakout | TMZyoutu.be
\u201c@TMZ Soo I hope he is now on the no fly list which should also include buses and trains. Walk!!!!!\u201d— TMZ (@TMZ) 1662237956
The GSK statement further read:
"At GSK, diversity, equity and inclusion is embraced and celebrated and we are committed in policy, principle and practice to maintaining an environment which prohibits discriminatory behavior and provides equal opportunity for all persons."
While people have been fired from all levels of work for many different reasons, this one is for the books.