America West pilots to the pokey

[aeronautic1]

"Ever drank on an overnight? (let's say you have a 24 layover, get considerably drunk, cut it off at 12 hrs. Company rules covered, faa covered, legally sober.....are you gonna be 100% - Nope). "

You obviously have missed the sentence in the regs that states the legal BAC limit for pilots is .04, not just 8 hours or company 12 hour rules. I can assure you that if your get "considerably drunk," cut off 12 hours before the trip; that you will blow over .04. I know, because I used to be a cop and breathalyzer operator.

These guys got what they deserved. If not for the actions of an asstute TSA screener, a major aviation accident was probaby averted. A break in the chain scenario.

Just what is the punishment for careless disregard for the safety of 125 passengers, a 40 million dollar airplane not to mention who they may have landed on top of if they crashed.

For all you alchies out there crying foul, let me quote a great line that fits: "Son your ego is writing checks that your body can't cash!"

 

[zonker]

.........

 

[DallasGatr]

I feel bad for my cousin, he was their Lawyer....

 

[trip]

Has anyone ever violated a FAR or flown below mins? Equally risky yet sober, you should go to jail and do time.

 

[Wingsweep]

Just like most other criminals

This is for all of you crying, bleeding heart apologists: Given the amount they drank and the cavalier attitude they displayed, does anyone honestly believe this was a one-time event?! I'm totally convinced they are like most a-h criminals; they simply offended enough times to finally get caught. Similar to purse snatchers, burglars, bank robbers, rapists, muggers, drug dealers, and drunk drivers--you can bet your bottom dollar that they get prosecuted for about one in ten crimes they commit. Of course, that's my humble opinion. And, yes, I consider them in the same class as all the rest. Cheers.

 

[CSY Mon]

Lastly, remember the NWA guys? That Captain finished his career as a Whale Captain after serving 18 months in prison and requalifying for all his licenses......then the NWA CEO, whose dad was a drunk, hired him back WITH seniority!

Yup, that guy had good friends in the union who would not give up the case.

These guys got what they deserved. If not for the actions of an asstute TSA screener, a major aviation accident was probaby averted. A break in the chain scenario.

A major aviation accident was probably averted?

Huh..?

Can't think of one pax airline crash caused by pilots being drunk or with a bad hang-over.

If there is any record of one, please let me know and I will stand corrected.

 

[AA717driver]

Soooo... those of you who are comparing the punishment to DUI offenders:


Are you saying that driving a passenger car is the same thing as commanding a large jet where a hundred or more people are trusting you with their lives?

Personally, I think a LITTLE more of the profession than that.

They KNEW they were illegal. This is not a 'mistake'. What a load of BS.

This was a crime. A clear message must be sent.

Is the life of one person killed by a drunk worth less than any of the lives on a jet? What about the bus load of people? At what number does DUI become a REALLY bad thing--you know, a crime worth 5 years in the pen? I know you don't qualify just by backing out of your driveway...

Did they know they were illegal? Or, like many of us, did they just think they were really hung over, having quit drinking within the 8 hour period?

This was a crime. The punishment was implemented by a judge afraid to show that he wasn't weak on crime. If this was a judge or a cop or a legislator, they would have walked with probation--a brief probation.

When we start meting out punishment equally for all in this country, then, I'll have no beef with this or any other sentence.TC

 

[Iamavi8TOR]

"Ever drank on an overnight? (let's say you have a 24 layover, get considerably drunk, cut it off at 12 hrs. Company rules covered, faa covered, legally sober.....are you gonna be 100% - Nope). "

You obviously have missed the sentence in the regs that states the legal BAC limit for pilots is .04, not just 8 hours or company 12 hour rules. I can assure you that if your get "considerably drunk," cut off 12 hours before the trip; that you will blow over .04. I know, because I used to be a cop and breathalyzer operator.

These guys got what they deserved. If not for the actions of an asstute TSA screener, a major aviation accident was probaby averted. A break in the chain scenario.

Just what is the punishment for careless disregard for the safety of 125 passengers, a 40 million dollar airplane not to mention who they may have landed on top of if they crashed.

For all you alchies out there crying foul, let me quote a great line that fits: "Son your ego is writing checks that your body can't cash!"

*REGULATION QUOTER ALERT* ISSUED 0001Z......

I totally FORGOT about the .04 thingy, oh yeah, and the 8 hour thingy...(sarcasm)

I did specify, though loosely, that you (the person in the hypothetical situation) were legally sober (ie: assuming less than .04 BAC).

How can you assure me (or us) that, ".....if your get "considerably drunk," cut off 12 hours before the trip; that you will blow over .04......" so vehemently. I didn't quantify any parameters in the situation. I didn't specify the person's weight, I didn't specify the amount of alcohol consumed, the rate of consumtion, etc. etc.

aeronautic1 - "......For all you alchies out there crying foul, let me quote a great line that fits: "Son your ego is writing checks that your body can't cash!"

I don't appreciate being lumped into 1 group (the alchies) b/c I think 5 years of jail is too excessive. I may drink a beer with dinner, or maybe once a month have 2, maybe 3 at a sitting; maybe 1-2 times a year do I get considerably drunk(all FAR, company legal, mind you). I guess if we're lumping people together, I'd have to say you sound like a hypocritical bible-thumper. Like I said, I believe they should be severely punished, just not in jail.

Being an ex cop, you should know the answer to the following question:

Is the punishment the same for the following situations (in general - I know different states do things differently):

1. Being convicted for DUI
2. Being convicted for DUI and having a single-vehicle accident, causing $65K property damage
3. Being convicted for DUI and killing a pedestrian.
4. Being convicted for DUI and killing a bus load of kids.

You and I know that if you get a DUI, you may get a suspension, community service, maybe probation and that's it. If you actually kill someone you could or probably will log some cell time. The cactus dudes didn't kill or hurt anyone, they didn't purposely show drunk. They showed a HUGE lack of judgement and made an incredible mistake. They definitely get what they deserve, but jail is TOO MUCH.

 

[Ty Webb]

Also, a normal person will metabolize a normal-sized drink every 1.5 to 2 hours. So, in 12 hours, you would metabolize 6 beers from the time you stopped drinking, and still be at 0.0

If you're drinking so much on a layover that 12 hours isn't enough, well, that's probably another problem altogether.

 

[AAslag]

Dude I grew up with has had three DUI. Spent a lot of money, lost a fishing boat and wore a sensor around his ankle for 6 months, however he has yet to do any time.

The company he works for specilizes in multi-story parking garages. He supervises the assembly. Still a heavy drinker.

I wonder, how many people and expensive autos can reside in a five level garage at one time?

Yes, I agree that they screwed up. But let the time fit the crime.

Want to know if your house has carpenter ants?
Look for the pile of tiny little beer cans!

And yet (previously mentioned) Michael Jackson walks free.