Suspected drunk pilot in OMA? Republic/CHQ

[emspilot 01]

Pilot Drinking Problems...

Get your drinking under fking control!!!!

It really is a sickness when one cant stop. Believe me... I know.

How many people know pilots with drinking problems. I'm guessing, it's more common then most might think...

 

[Amish RakeFight]

How many people know pilots with drinking problems. I'm guessing, it's more common then most might think...

Some of these problems may even go beyond alcohol and into pills. Pill problems are even easier to hide.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

The difference is, it's not a choice anyone can make, it's been determined already: one step on the a/c. Not doing flows, walk-around, crew brief, etc. All of that *technically* doesn't prove intent...if it's off the a/c. One you step ON you prove intent. That's the DOT rule and not subject to interpretation.

I'm not saying the person didn't intend to fly based on common sense from our perspective. Obviously, to anyone seeing this, there was intent. However, LEGALLY, there wasn't until he stepped aboard.

Because we might disagree with legal terms doesn't make us right and the rule wrong. This interp came directly from the DOT rules and we dealt with this when I worked in the D&A Enforcement/Compliance department at a former carrier for which I worked.

Go to Nebraska Statutes, Drunk Flying is covered as well as Criminal intent, very clear, this guy will be some jailbirds girlfriend. If the DOT doesn't get him a newshungry DA will.

 

[sunlitpath]

That may be the rule at your airline. However, the DOT's rules say that
"Reasonable Suspicion" cannot be acted upon unless the crew member is ON the a/c. Up to the point that one foot is on that a/c you can STILL call off/be pulled aside, etc "no harm, no foul." The lawyers on both sides can argue "intent to operate" but the threshold for a test is presence on the a/c.

As for being a crime to be at the airport drunk, I believe the charge could only be Public Intoxication. There could be company policy violations with being drunk in uniform, conduct unbecoming, etc.

There are numerous laws governing airline pilots and alcohol use. Feds have laws, states have laws, and of course companies have their own policies. Here is an interesting article from ALPA Legal. It mentions reporting for duty and other scenarios that pilots must consider.
http://www.boaf.org/alpaarticle.htm

 

[Erlanger]

Pilots aren't the only ones getting drunk.

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_n...k-flight-attendant-caused-flight-cancellation

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Proof, that this industry will drive you to drink!
Not many FedEx pilots getting popped, but who did the last few work for again?

 

[AC560]

This is why I always wait until taking the runway to slam a couple down.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Pilots aren't the only ones getting drunk.

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_n...k-flight-attendant-caused-flight-cancellation

Police say the woman's blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit for driving in North Dakota.

 

[OpenClimb]

It'll be interesting to see if this is widely reported as "Drunken Delta Flight Attendant" since Pinnacle flies for Delta. Or maybe Delta's PR folks are a little better than Frontier's.

 

[B727FA]

Absolutely there are other avenues by which to "get this guy." I was only speaking the DOT.

 

[AirBill]

This is not even the first time this has happened over there, still no HIMS program at IBT local 357.

I know that anytime you have the opportunity to bash us it brightens your little day, but the truth of the matter is a HIMS program is well under way here. Unfortunately, this guy never took advantage of it.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Addictions are a genetic illness. The individual is self-medicating.