Another alcohol incident

[rjcap]

In light of recent events, the general public was probably beginning to see alcohol as a regional/national airline problem. "That can't happen at the 'real' airlines." Sadly, it can. It can happen anywhere.

This recent event was all over TV on the local and national news networks.

 

[100LL... Again!]

24 hr bottle-to-throttle is only a matter of time.

The public is too jumpy to keep shrugging it off.

Does anybody know why the sudden rise in these incidents?

 

[sidesaddle]

Though, I'm sure his union will save his idiotic butt.

Actually, not true. If it is established that you are over the limit and you cross the threshold of the aircraft, nobody can save your job.

 

[ifly4food]

The day may soon come where each individual company Bans drinking completely during any company time! This means all overnights, layovers, etc.. And, why shouldn't they? Do we need to drink on these overnights? This is still, after all, company time, even if crews are not technically "on duty." I sure don't need to drink on overnights, although I have seen many crewmembers that do!... Could anybody blame the first company that steps up and outlaws drinking on overnights altogether? They might be saving some of you from yourselves!

Here's why. .. because it's none of the company's d@%* business what I do on an overnight as long as I report to work in accordance with company policies.
If we set a precedent of the company imposing arbitrary rules on overnights, we will end up being prohibited from ever leaving the hotel. Let me assure you, every company eggghead manager would LOVE not having to wonder what crews are doing. Plus, they're always available to be contacted of rescheduled.
If you go out and have a couple drinks, that's your business. If you get wasted and show up for work drunk, you're an idiot and deserve what you get. There's a big difference between the two.

I can't stand the Hillary Clinton liberal "We're going to save you from yourself" attitude some people have.

Originally posted by suen 1843
I am sure lots of people will strongly disagree with this, but, any pilot who cannot do a complete duty tour without having an alcoholic drink has a drinking problem and should find a new career. Get out of our industry... Those of us who can wait until being completely off duty to have a glass of wine, etc., have no use for pilots who can't handle their "needs". Get some help or go away !!!!!

Come on! How can you say with a straight face that anyone who has a drink on an overnight has a drinking problem. There's a big difference between having one or two drinks within legal time limits and getting wasted so that you show up for work drunk.

 

[B52GUNNER]

This drinking thing is going crazy. I had a situation yesterday where things almost got out of control. We were on our last flight of the day (6 turns) and after boarding I was doing my seatbelt and cary-on check of the aircraft when I heard one of the passengers commenting about pilots drinking. Now, I noticed the smell of alcohol in the cabin but could not tell if it was the passenger that made the remark or it was one next to them. A 1900 is a small cabin. When I was boarding the plane I did not notice any pax smelling of alcohol or obviously intoxicated. I brought this to the attention of the captain and he asked me if it was directed to me or if it was something I overheard. As it was not said directly to me we let it slide.

This was all at an uncontrolled field in another country, where we were almost killed trying to land on our inbound flight. First we were cut off on final by an experimental....and had to make a go-around. Then on our second try, we were turning base to final and some jacka$$ in a 402 took off downwind right into us. We called him on the radio and asked what the HE!! he was doing as we were on final, and had been making position reports. He replied that it was ok, he was staying at 500 feet until we passed over him.........

The return flight ended without any problems. Most of the pax had cleared customs when we got in, so never did find out where the alcohol smell came from.

 

[B52GUNNER]

Now that you mention it.....pax on the inbound had a suitcase full of wine. I think one of the bottles might have broken. I had not been in the situation before the way things are going today, we have to be careful.

Small world out there...you just might be right..

 

[boeingav8r]

_

I'm not taking up for this drunk idiot pilot in any way, nor have I ever used alcohol while on a trip myself. He should have thought of his family, his career, and even the damage he caused his fellow pilots in the industry before he took that 2nd or 3rd drink. In an ideal world, he should have just called in sick. His repramand would have been small compared to what he's facing now. However, if I were in his shoes, here's how I'd handle the situation. IF I had been drinking and was stupid enough to walk thru security and have a screener accuse me of being drunk, I would NEVER agree to take the alcohol test. I would let them take me to jail or whatever but I'd never blow in that tube. As soon as you take that test and they get a "hard number" on you, that's all she wrote. At least if you don't take the test, they have not concrete proof of how intoxicated you were, and after you've sobered up and gotten professional help, you might possibly have a fighting chance to get your job back. Otherwise, if you blow in that tube, you're career is probably over for good and you will more than likely never fly for a reputable airline again. I'm not an advocate of drinking on trips at all, but still I would have handled it differently. I am personally upset that guys like him contribute to the somewhat bad reputation that pilots have. A few bad apples can ruin it for all of us in the industry. just my .02

 

[CatYaaak]

They still should let him fly part 91 stuff without a problem in a year or so. His 135 and 121 days are certainly over if he's guilty.

The FAA enforces via "certificate action" (not by banning someone from flying under certain reg "Parts") and if found guilty, it's probable that his Commercial and ATP Certificates are revoked forever. The "Part 91 stuff" you refer to also includes 99% of corporate flight departments operating aircraft crewed by professional pilots getting paid for their services, and so an FAA certificate action of this nature would also preclude him from ever acting in that capacity for the duration of the certificate action (for example...a revoked Comm / ATP means no driving around 3M's G-V's either)

Of course, not many Part 91 corporate flight departments race to hire airline pilots anyway, let alone one with a history of showing up for work drunk.

Perhaps what you meant was that he might eventually have his Private Pilot Certificate priviledges restored. IMO (if indeed found guilty) is that even those should never be.

 

[BigFlyr]

All of us "occasional drinkers" know how refreshing and relaxing a "cold one" can be after a 12 hour plus duty day. Unfortunately, the privilege of having an alcoholic beverage at the end of the day while out on a trip will soon come to an end if we continue to abuse this privilege. I can see it now... 24 hours from bottle to throttle...

 

[Flightjock30]

My cousin, a commercial rated pilot, and Embry Riddle student was arrested this past semester drinking and driving. He got a DUI as a result. He ruined his chances to fly for a living! Hes now transferring schools to get a degree in something else. Its just not worth it folks! Alcohol and flying do not mix.

 

[rjcap]

I would NEVER agree to take the alcohol test. I would let them take me to jail or whatever but I'd never blow in that tube.

Correct me if I am wrong but that is not an option. You either have to blow or take a blood test under supervised conditions. I believe our company regs require compliance in this area. A refusal for a drug/alcohol test is grounds for dismissal.

I believe it was a police officer who conducted the alcohol test and therefore it will be a binding test.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Remember the golden rule: "He who has the gold makes the rules", and in this case the company/employer is the one with the gold. [/B]

As an aside, I think you may be hard pressed to name any airline (save SWA) that is rolling in "gold" these days.

 

[boeingav8r]

RJ CAPT, you may be right. I wasn't thinking that authorities or your company could forcefully make you take a drug/alcohol test. If refusal to take the test is grounds for dismissal, then there is no choice except to take the test. Maybe his loosing his job will shake him up enough to get professional help so that he ends up not killing anybody on the streets by use of his car.

 

[crosscut]

A Delta Air Lines pilot failed a breathalyzer test for alcohol after he was taken off an airplane Thursday at Norfolk International Airport, airport officials said.

Look at it from the bright side, thanks to Gary Shroeder, 42, there will be less one person to be furloughed come January '03. That one guy (gal) must be psyched.

Folks, please help those of us on furlough as this holiday season is a time for goodwill, when many people give their time, money, or goods to help those less fortunate than themselves - do so by SHOWING UP FOR WORK DRUNK, stupid.

 

[Sphincter Boy]

Folks, please help those of us on furlough as this holiday season is a time for goodwill, when many people give their time, money, or goods to help those less fortunate than themselves - do so by SHOWING UP FOR WORK DRUNK, stupid.

I agree....I call it Darwinism.