Bottle-to-Throttle Time

[Typhoon1244]

There was much discussion here a couple weeks ago about the possibility of the airlines banning alcohol consumption altogether during trips. I was recently discussing this issue with a "reliable source" at my company, and was surprised to find that my airline plans to go the opposite direction.

Our current poilicy is no booze twelve hours before flight. The plan is to take that number down to eight hours to conform with the FAR's...for liability reasons.

So until the FAA changes its rules, I guess no one needs to worry about the company telling you what do do when you're off duty!

 

[350DRIVER]

I really can't see that changing the current company policies to conform and "agree" with the current 8 hour far would make much of a difference. If someone is that determined to drink while on "duty" or "off duty" then they will continue to do so regardless of the current policy or far. It is my opinion that "common sense" would go much farther than any one "policy" could accomplish and it has been my experience that most of the professional pilot community exercises this in more cases than not. Obviously, there are going to be those exceptions that will continue to tarnish the reputation of others but for the most part I think the current policies in place serve there purpose (s) somewhat well.


12 hours seems sufficient, better yet common sense and "respect" for the lives of your pax onboard seems more important.

c h e e r s

3 5 0

Typhoon- by the way you use to fly the 120 then rj into HOU quite often huh.??

 

[fredflyer]

Chicaga,
You're right about the Ops Specs being more restrictive than the FAR's. They don't actually change the FAR, but if you work for that company the Ops Spec is practically the same thing.

 

[cvsfly]

The Ops Specs are issued by the FAA and the company only has limited input to only a few variable paragraphs. The only mention of alcohol in the Ops Specs are to list your drug/alcohol program (I think A048 or 49). So 8 or 12 hours will not be addressed here. The company General Operations Manual is another thing. Designed by the company according to an FAA format and then approved by the FAA. If you need to be looking at watch to know when to stop drinking before duty, you don't belong in this business. Like I said before any effects of drinking can be viewed as disqualifying for duty and it is the BAT that matters as far as testing goes (which will vary greatly according to weight and build). .04 is the point where you are illegal the moment you report for duty with the intention of flying. No one can save you at this point. Between .02 and less than .04 a company must remove you from duty - no violation as yet unless the company wants to take internal discipline action. Please do us a favor and leave the drinking at home on your off hours

 

[Typhoon1244]

Typhoon- by the way you use to fly the 120 then rj into HOU quite often huh.??

Depends on what you call "quite often." I used to go to Hobby once or twice a week in the Brasilia...hardly any at all in the CRJ.

Why do you ask?

 

[race#53]

Bottle to throrrle rules are like TFR's for terrorists, how do you get law breakers to care?
A better way would be to have the gate agent give the pilots an ORD taxi read-back test before they get on the jetway.

 

[Typhoon1244]

A better way would be to have the gate agent give the pilots an ORD taxi read-back test before they get on the jetway.

Make it an IAH taxi read-back...I coulnd't pass that sober!

 

[350DRIVER]

Depends on what you call "quite often." I used to go to Hobby once or twice a week in the Brasilia...hardly any at all in the CRJ.

I am former DAL. I worked HOU for them while in flight training and would always work the ASA EMB120 flights and was just curious.

remember a Pria J. > FA DFW based ??

c h e e r s

3 5 0

 

[Midnight Mike]

What a pilot does during his off duty hours are their own business, unless of course the company wants to consider this time, company time, and pay the pilot accordingly.

I believe anything less than 12 hours, and you are playing with fire. A pilot is passing is bumping into more & more people on the way to the airplane, need to watch your 6.


MIKE