Age-Discrimination Alleged

Pilot Doyle D. Baker, 63, formerly of PrivatAir, Inc., has prevailed in litigation against his former employer. The 3 week jury trial resulted in a massive $53.8M award in favor of Baker, against the Connecticut based company. According to the proceedings, Baker crewed on a Gulfstream G-II owned by Bruce Willis and ex-wife Demi Moore and managed by PrivatAir, before being terminated in the summer of 2004.

The Superior Court judgement found that PrivatAir both defamed and wrongfully terminated the flyer. "The jury found that Mr. Baker's age, 63, was the motivating factor in his termination," said Baker's attorney, Michael Kelly.

Baker, of San Bernardino, CA, had been hired to crew the G-II (file photo, below) over nine years before and explained that the actions that led to the suit came about after PrivatAir took over management of the jet in 2002.

According to PrivatAir, the company is "a leading international business aviation group with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, operating bases in Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich (Germany) and Zurich (Switzerland) and throughout the USA. The company has been in operation for 27 years and employs over 450 people."

PrivatAir claims a turnover exceeding US$135M and manages a fleet of some 50 aircraft ranging in size from a Beech King Air to an executive Boeing 757, operating out of Europe and 17 bases throughout the USA.

The Group’s services include Private Charter for VIP's, executives and leisure groups, Private Airline Services, Ground Services and Aircraft Sales & Management.

The company’s web site notes that it services a wide range of clients includes celebrities from the arts, sports and entertainment industries, successful businessmen, royalty and public officials, as well as private aircraft owners.

FMI: www.privatair.com