Court Dismisses Ex-JetBlue Pilot's Bias, Harassment Lawsuit

Pilot failed to participate in discovery proceedings, ordered to pay $5,000 each to airline and former supervisor.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A gay atheist pilot formerly employed by JetBlue Airways Corp. has had his bias and harassment lawsuit against the airline dismissed with prejudice after he failed to participate in court-ordered discovery proceedings. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered the pilot, Chadwick Troeger, to pay $5,000 each to JetBlue and his former supervisor, William Petersen, for violating discovery rules.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of following court procedures and deadlines, even for individuals pursuing discrimination claims against their former employers. Failure to comply with discovery can result in a lawsuit being dismissed entirely.

The details

Troeger sued JetBlue in 2023 under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alleging bias and harassment based on his sexual orientation and religious beliefs. However, the court found that Troeger failed to participate in required discovery proceedings, leading to the dismissal of his case with prejudice and monetary sanctions.

  • Troeger sued JetBlue in 2023.
  • The court dismissed the case with prejudice on February 27, 2026.

The players

Chadwick Troeger

A gay atheist pilot formerly employed by JetBlue Airways Corp. who sued the airline for bias and harassment.

JetBlue Airways Corp.

An American airline that was sued by Troeger for alleged discrimination.

William Petersen

Troeger's former supervisor at JetBlue, who was ordered to receive $5,000 from Troeger for the discovery violations.

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The takeaway

This case serves as a reminder that plaintiffs pursuing discrimination claims must fully participate in court proceedings, or risk having their lawsuits dismissed entirely. Failure to comply with discovery rules can have serious consequences, even for those alleging workplace bias.