CHICAGO — United Airlines is facing a lawsuit in California after allegedly firing a 76-year-old aircraft technician who drank a bottle of water from a passenger aircraft while experiencing what he described as a medical emergency during a routine inspection.
Frank Bucci, a longtime technician based at Los Angeles International Airport, alleges the airline unlawfully terminated him in June 2025 after he consumed onboard bottled water while suffering heart palpitations, dehydration and lightheadedness brought on by prolonged sun exposure, according to the complaint. He is suing the carrier for disability discrimination, age discrimination and retaliation.
Technician Says Medical Distress Prompted Decision
According to the lawsuit, Bucci had been working outdoors at LAX in April 2025 under warm weather conditions when he began experiencing symptoms severe enough to make him fear he might lose consciousness.
While conducting a routine safety equipment inspection aboard a United aircraft, Bucci allegedly became unable to continue his duties and took a bottle of water from the aircraft’s passenger supply to address his symptoms.
Bucci informed management of the incident and did not dispute taking the water, but said he did so only because of the medical circumstances, according to the complaint. United subsequently opened an investigation and terminated him roughly two months later.
Lawsuit Draws Comparison to Walgreens Disability Case
Bucci’s legal team argues that his termination closely resembles a disability discrimination case brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Walgreens in 2014.
In that matter, a Walgreens employee was fired after consuming a $1.39 bag of chips during a hypoglycemic episode without first paying for it. The company later agreed to pay $180,000 to settle the EEOC’s claims.
Bucci’s attorneys contend that, as in the Walgreens case, the conduct at issue was inseparable from the employee’s medical condition. They argue that Bucci’s dehydration-induced heart palpitations constituted a temporary disability and that taking the water was an immediate response to an acute health episode rather than workplace misconduct.
Complaint Alleges Age Bias in Replacement Decision
Beyond the disability claims, Bucci alleges that United used the incident as a pretext to remove an older employee and replace him with younger technicians.
The lawsuit claims the airline sought to substitute Bucci with workers who were “substantially younger,” asserting that his age factored into the termination decision.
Bucci further alleges that younger United employees committed more serious workplace violations without being terminated or formally disciplined, an allegation intended to support claims of disparate treatment under age discrimination laws.
Prior United Age Bias Case Cited in Complaint
The complaint also references a prior case involving two veteran United flight attendants who accused the airline of age discrimination after being dismissed for workplace conduct violations.
In that 2013 matter, the attendants were accused of vaping during a flight, sitting on galley boxes in violation of safety procedures and watching a video together on an iPad while working. The attendants retired before formal termination but later sued United, alleging younger crew members engaged in similar conduct without punishment.
A jury ultimately awarded them $2 million after finding merit in their claims that the discipline was selectively enforced.
Technician Says Safety Complaints May Have Contributed
Bucci also alleges his firing may have been retaliatory, claiming he had previously raised concerns about aircraft maintenance and operational safety.
According to the complaint, Bucci voiced concerns to supervisors following a July 2024 incident involving a nearly 30-year-old Boeing 757 that lost a tire during takeoff from LAX. He alleges his supervisor dismissed those concerns and emphasized on-time departures over maintenance issues.
The complaint suggests Bucci’s repeated safety complaints may have made him a target for dismissal and that the water bottle incident served as a convenient justification for his termination.
United has not publicly commented on the allegations.
Broader Implications for Employers
The case could test how courts evaluate employee misconduct that occurs during alleged medical emergencies, particularly when employers argue policy violations justify discipline regardless of surrounding circumstances.
It may also renew scrutiny of how large employers handle age discrimination and retaliation claims involving veteran workers in safety-sensitive industries.
The lawsuit remains pending in California district court.
