Ex-stewardess claims threats after junkie pilot statements

Former stewardess Farah Diba Panigoro says she has received threats after claiming that most pilots were regular drug users.

Farah, who resigned in 2008, made her statements a week after the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) arrested a Lion Air pilot in Surabaya, East Java, for allegedly possessing 0.04 grams of crystal methamphetamine. The pilot later tested positive for crystal meth use.

While Farah did not mention Lion Air in her televised remarks, the former stewardess claimed she received several SMS threats from Lion Air employees, tempo.co reported Wednesday.

"They are threatening me with words such as: ‘You better watch your back when walking on the street’,” Farah said.

Farah, who has not reported the threats to the police, said her claims of pilot drug abuse were not confined to a single airlines and were based on information from her former peers

 “I also have friends from other airlines. They shared same stories. The lives of air crew are not far from drugs," she added.  

Farah has refused to name her previous employer. (asa)