Airtran Pilot/FFDO Arrested: Blows .05 in MSP

[SEVEN]

Alleged drunk AirTran pilot arrested at Minneapolis airport9:44 AM, May 16, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The captain of an AirTran flight leaving Minneapolis for Milwaukee was arrested Saturday. According to airport spokesperson Pat Hogan, a TSA manager smelled alcohol on the pilot and called airport police.

They gave the captain a breathalyzer test and found the captain's blood alcohol level was .05 percent which was above the legal limit of .04 percent for commercial pilots.

In a written statement, AirTran said the captain was removed from the airplane and was replaced with another pilot. The incident delayed the flight by 35 minutes and no passengers were harmed, according to the AirTran.

The captain is a Federal Flight Deck Officer which means he is authorized to carry a firearm on the plane.

AirTran says they don't know if the pilot was armed during the arrest. The captain was released and the incident is now under investigation and charges are possible.

AirTran says the pilot will not be flying any airplanes during the investigation.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Oops.

 

[Taco Rocket]

Those crazy regional pilots!

 

[Tweaker]

0.05% is NOT drunk. This was clearly a major error is judgement and poor behavior.

Perspective - two drinks = 0.05%. This man will pay heavily for this slight miscalculation.

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Let's not let this thread get out of hand.

 

[Lear70]

Let's not let this thread get out of hand.

It's FlightInfo... good luck with that.

 

[CA1900]

The incident delayed the flight by 35 minutes and no passengers were harmed....

I so hate the press.

Perspective - two drinks = 0.05%.

Well, two drinks left in his system is about that. The bigger question is how many he actually had, and/or when he stopped.

 

[jonjuan]

I so hate the press.



Well, two drinks left in his system is about that. The bigger question is how many he actually had, and/or when he stopped.

Agreed-Having 2 drinks right away and blowing a .05 is one thing, being .20 8-hours prior (assuming he stopped 8-hours prior) is another (The body metabolizes about 1 drink or .03/hour). Talking about about an airline CA showing up to work legally drunk is blowing things out of proportion? Would you want your family on that plane?

 

[LearLove]

merging with SWA and having to pay for your 73 type would cause you guys to drink also.

just kidding - really though hope it's a different story or the guy gets help if it's true.

 

[Beetle007]

That’s why you should never use mouthwash, toothpaste, or dental floss. You never know how those things will screw up the breathalyzer tests. Thats why my company prohibits flying within 24 hours after a dental cleaning.