Shuttle-bus driver fired for driving crazy

A Iowa airport shuttle-bus driver has been fired for allegedly taking passengers on a series of "wild rides".

John Sykes of Des Moines was fired in April from his job at the Des Moines International Airport. He was fired after several incidents in which he allegedly drove too fast, ignored stop signs, and refused, even at the request of a passenger, to use his turn signals. In one instance, he allegedly pulled in front of oncoming traffic, shouting at other drivers to yield.

One passenger who works at the airport was injured and another was almost thrown from his seat after Sykes allegedly executed a series of high-speed turns during a trip. The injured passenger complained that after he and another passenger were thrown about the bus, Sykes laughed and then dropped them off, saying, "Have a good night."

Another airport employee complained that Sykes wouldn't give passengers enough time to get seated before "gunning the engine" and departing at a high rate of speed. The employee complained that she had fallen into her seat more than once.

At a recent hearing dealing with his request for unemployment benefits, Sykes said he didn't realize any passengers were injured in the incidents. "I was on different medications, and I wasn't getting enough sleep and I don't think my judgment was that good," he testified. Article here.