Pax accuse captain of drinking

[rickair7777]

Even if he called after getting to the airport, he can still be safe. As long as you don't get onto the airplane, you can probably dig your way out with the help of the union. You might have to enter the HIMS program, but at least you won't lose your job.

As far as criminal law goes, he's fine...he was not in the vehicle. You can't a DUI for possession of car keys in the parking lot.

FAA, he's fine. Again no way to prove that he was going to get on the airplane. No FAR about drunk in uniform.

He might get in trouble with the company for being out of sorts in public view, but they can't prove he was going to fly either.

My guess is a paid vacation, maybe followed by intervention.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

He didn't "run away" as the pax stated to the press. The official statement was that he didn't say a word, pulled out his cell phone, and walked off.

The police officer said he showed no signs of intoxication, although a slight hint of alcohol on his breath. No BAC tests were done, interestingly enough.

The only way you are toast is if you break the threshold of the airplane, or if you refuse any sort of treatment. This case, though, is if you were tested and had alcohol in your system. I'm not sure what the case will be since he seems to be exonerated.

 

[Dubya]

Anybody who uses this career as their sole source of income is an idiot. This is just a fun side-job.

Idiot? What? 80k (regional)-200+k (major) Captain pay range...13,14,15,16,17,18 days off per month, free (mostly), super cheap travel.....is a side-job?

Idiot?

W

 

[hockeypilot44]

Idiot? What? 80k (regional)-200+k (major) Captain pay range...13,14,15,16,17,18 days off per month, free (mostly), super cheap travel.....is a side-job?

Idiot?

W

Regional first officer - 25k/year. It's a job. I've been an airline pilot for over 5 years and I have yet to break 100k in one year. The majority of regional captains out there do not make 80k. Per Diem does not count.

 

[cessnaxdriver]

I'm not making light of this but I thought maybe you guys might enjoy this....

http://entertainment.webshots.com/video/3021325580041442072VoJHPs

 

[Speedtape]

Regional first officer - 25k/year. It's a job. I've been an airline pilot for over 5 years and I have yet to break 100k in one year. The majority of regional captains out there do not make 80k. Per Diem does not count.

Hmmm...So do you equate professionalism with the amount of income one makes?

Who forced you to take the job? Did you research the income potential before you committed the funds to get qualified? Is this your first job? Apparently, you have never had a bad job to know how good you have it!

There are plenty of qualified and professional pilots that would be glad to have your $25,000 F/O job!

I know of at least 80 of them!

 

[COOPERVANE]

Hold off jumping to conclusions. Maybe he was just commuting. Theres more to this story.

let's get the details first

 

[buscap]

I stand by my judgement.

The definition of a pilot who has had too much to drink is: any pilot who has had more than me.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

This guy got lucky and called in sick before the police showed up. Thus, no blood or breath test.

You guys at SWA sure know how to "party hard" and get away with it.

 

[willbob]

You are kidding right? Just getting on the van and heading towards the airport can be construed as an intent to operate that flight. Amnesty doesn't begin at security, or the gate, or at the end of the jet bridge, it starts with the decision to put on his uniform in the morning and chance it. The 8 hour rule is trumped by the "feeling the effects".

You might argue that he should get due process and the benefit of the doubt, but had his intentions been honorable, he would have spared embrassment to himself, his company, and our professional as a whole by:

1) not being in uniform- had he alreayd called in sick, there would be no reason to be in uniform to deadhead. If he had no other clothes, then wear the shirt without any brass or epaulets.

2) when confronted by concerned pax, assuring them that he would most certainly NOT be operating the flight, and he would just be riding home.

3) not running away... how many people who run on that show "Cops" turn out to be innocent?

I hope people consider their career on those "boring" overnights...

1) so he can bring home his more that 3 oz of duty free booze

2) knock their teeth out

3) I am sure that one tall mans quick stride can be mistaken for a run by a shorter person with pilot envy

 

[Papa Woody]

Dudes...

I think we're all missing the point here....

The alcohol rules are obsolete, arbitrary, and based on old DC-3 flying.

With modern training, automation, and CRM, I motion we raise the limit to 0.08 and 2 hours...

Any seconds on that?

 

[jafo20]

Somertimes people see, smell and read what they want to.

Did the captain take off running, or did he simply walk briskly away from passengers saying stupid ******************** in a terminal? Did he grogily say "I've been parying hard, WOO HOO!" or was he saying "I partied a little hard last night, and I'm kinda tired."?

Passengers that want to make accusations will think speedstick smell like booze. Passengers that WANT to see something will think a tired pilot who may be fighting a head cold is drunk off his butt.

The jury is still out on this guy. We could all find ourselves in equally retarded positions. Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt 'til empirical data is in.

 

[veneratio]

If there was no breathalyzer or blood test to determine BAC level he is fine.

 

[altimaklr]

How did they find a replacement so quickly? CMH is not a Southwest hub..

 

[Metro752]

Because he wasn't drinking on the job, and was falsely accused? Pay attention please.