United Airlines Pilot Accused of 'Knowingly and Willfully' Exposing Himself at Airport Terminal Window

A United Airlines pilot faces charges for indecent exposure after he stood naked in front of a hotel window at Denver International Airport.

Captain Andrew Collins, a 22-year veteran of the airline, is accused of "knowing and wilfully" exposing his genitals to the passengers in the airport.

According to a police report, two United Airlines employees witnessed the incident and gave what were deemed to be credible explanations of the events. A federal Transportation Security Administration officer reportedly told the police Collins waved at him while "touching himself".

"The suspect did open the window to his hotel room, which overlooks the hotel plaza, and in full view of the public did stand in his window fully nude, exposing himself and his genitalia to the general public," the police report said.

In an interview with The Denver Post, the pilot acknowledged a number of witnesses gave a different version of events than his own but insisted he was unaware he could be seen from the airport.

"We're not disputing the fact that I was standing nude in front of the hotel window," he was quoted as saying.

"Some witnesses said I was dancing, gyrating and waving. I'm completely innocent. It's really unfortunate that it happened at all."

At the time of the incident, which unfolded approximately three months ago, Collins was staying in a room on the 10^th floor of the Westin Hotel, which is adjacent to Denver International Airport's Jeppesen Terminal.

Collins claimed he had been awake for over 30 hours after being diverted to a host of airports across the country during a severe thunderstorm, before waking up at around 10.30 a.m.

Once he woke up, he claimed he was on the phone for around 25 minutes and was getting ready to a have a shower. The 54-year-old admitted being naked when he opened the curtain of his hotel room but insisted he could not see the terminal.

He then heard a loud banging on the door and found several police officers had come up to arrest him.

Craig Silverman, a well-known attorney in Denver and a radio host talk show in The Mile High City, reiterated his client's stance.

"From this hotel room, you cannot see people going about their business inside the concourse," Silverman wrote earlier this month after examining the same room Collins stayed in, as reported by The Denver Post. "The concourse windows are tinted green and are opaque and reflective. It's like looking at a green wall or a green mirror."

However, Silverman also found it is possible to see inside the hotel rooms from the terminal, particularly in the morning, when the light is favorable.

"From inside the concourse, at that time of the morning, unbeknownst to my client, you can see into the Westin rooms, but the distance is such that you cannot see much other than a human form," he added.

"My client had a reasonable expectation that no one could see into his window. He was unaware of any people looking at him as he focused on his important phone call while walking around his room."