Pax suspected pilots drunk

[cvsfly]

Passenger comment delays flight

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A flight headed from Columbia to Cincinnati was delayed three hours on Wednesday after a passenger questioned the sobriety of the pilots.

The Delta Connections flight, which had 32 passengers and three crew members aboard, was scheduled to depart Columbia Metropolitan Airport at 10:30 a.m. It was about to take off when a passenger questioned whether pilots were required to take Breathalyzer tests, said Rick DeLisi, Atlantic Coast Airlines spokesman.

"Our airline's policy is to treat such questions as a question of public safety," DeLisi said. "We have to take them 100 percent seriously."

Pilots on the flight took blood-alcohol tests, which confirmed they were sober, DeLisi said.

The delay forced the airline to rebook passengers on other flights. Some passengers couldn't be rescheduled to reach their connections, DeLisi said.

"It caused a tremendous inconvenience for some passengers," he said. "This type of verbal comment is taken just as seriously as those made at security checkpoints."

Two America West pilots were charged Monday by Florida police with operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol and operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

-----------------------------
Thanks to two more idiots, we will all be under more scrutiny and jump through more hoops. If we don't police our own others will.
Considering all that has happened, I can't blame the passenger too much. I haven't seen anything the airlines have done to instill much confidence in the general public.

 

[trainerjet]

I say lgood for ACA. Every single time a passenger sticks their head into the cockpit or makes a comment as they're boarding the plane about alcohol, drunk pilots, Breathalyzer tests, etc., the flight will be delayed while we all get one.....every single time. Maybe then they won't think their jokes are so funny.

 

[J41CA]

Which two idiots are you refering to?

Based on your ending comments, it appears you were suggesting the ACA pilots were at fault. I didn't interpret the situation as being caused by a crew member. Rather, it was a passenger comment, which was solely based on the America West fiasco. It is ACA's policy (as well as most other airlines) to return to the gate and test the crew members. The end result was the inconvienence of many pax because of one persons sensless comments.

 

[tarp]

I wonder what happened when the announcement was made - "Well folks, thanks to the passenger in Row 7A, we are now cancelling this flight so that the crew can be tested for potential alcohol abuse. Please have a nice day and thank you for flying Delta Connection."

That, plus the fact that (from what I heard) the airlines "black list" anyone who falsely accuses a crew member. 31 other passengers inconvenienced, airplane and crew displaced, loss of revenue plus rebooking fees. Put a hurt on the profit picture due to somebody thinking they're funny.

The America West guys opened the door. Now we all suffer.

 

[Tim47SIP]

J41CA

It is very clear that he was not blaming the two DCI pilots at all. He was reffering to the two idiots at AW. As a DCI pilot, I fully agree with him. And if we all have to take breathalizer tests every time a pax complains, then so be it.

 

[Timebuilder]

While the offeding passenger should not be identified to the other passengers, as a matter of liability on the part of the carrier, the action itself should certainly be announced:

"Ladies and gentlemen, a passenger has questioned the sobriety of our flight crew. Although they have not violated any policy, and do not apear to have any imairment of any kind, our Company policy dictates that this flight canot continue as scheduled. We regret that a passenger has seen fit to inconvenience you in this way. Thank you."

That should be more than enough to keep this from happening every day.

 

[LAPD Airship]

While the offeding passenger should not be identified to the other passengers, as a matter of liability on the part of the carrier, the action itself should certainly be announced:

"Ladies and gentlemen, a passenger has questioned the sobriety of our flight crew. Although they have not violated any policy, and do not apear to have any imairment of any kind, our Company policy dictates that this flight canot continue as scheduled. We regret that a passenger has seen fit to inconvenience you in this way. Thank you."

That should be more than enough to keep this from happening every day.

Whatever! Identify the a$$hole, ban his a$$ from the airline, cancel the flight, and then make the announcement above

Ill take the extra pay for testing...Im just waiting for the idiots at the security checkpoints to start sniffing me everytime I walk by.

 

[LearLove]

Just wondering?

Any laywer types think that the pax can be held liable or the ACA cew could take him to court for def. of character / slander or something? I'm not a sue happy person or anything like that its just a thought.

 

[Timebuilder]

I don't think the pax could be held liable unless it could be shown that the action was deliberate, without merit, and with the intention of inflicting economic loss to the carrier.

Then again, the carrier could be held liable if the pax was injured by irate pax after being identified publicly.

 

[LearLove]

I agree but..

What about Airtran sueing the guy who held up ATL last winter. I wonder if ACA could sue this guy?

 

[Timebuilder]

The carrier could always bring a suit to court, but they would have to meet the standard of evidence in existing case law, or demonstrate the intent without reasonable doubt.

 

[LAPD Airship]

You can sue for anything....one of our gate agents sued a guy who broke his neck in EWR after he was turned upside down by the guy trying to get back down the jet-way....not-guity was the verdict.

This is how it would work for my flight crew.

We would cancel the flight (cancelled flight pay)
Get tested (paid for that)
Deadhead most likely to next location (unscheduled flight pay at time and a half)

Since I dont really drink....Im more than happy for a pax to double my pay for the 4 day....hell i might turn myself in!

 

[Timebuilder]

Can you give me some details on the weapon in the picture? I'm unable to identify it from what I can see.

Thanks.

 

[Ted Striker]

Screw these idiots, and screw taking a breath test everytime I sign in. They can kiss my a$$. Unless someone smells something on me or has some other reasonable problem, other than I am just a pilot (so I must be drunk) then I am not doing it. That is something I would fight forever. If I am correct, I am still innocent until proven guility, right? Not the other way around.

 

[Timebuilder]

Unfortunately, Ted, the supreme court has already affirmed the legality of driver sobriety checkpoints, and this idea would only be a terrible, yet legal, extension of that action.

Hopefully, such an idea will not be implemented.

 

[Freight Dog]

Can you give me some details on the weapon in the picture? I'm unable to identify it from what I can see.

Thanks.

I think that is Heckler & Koch MP5.

 

[LAPD Airship]

I think that is Heckler & Koch MP5.

Correct your are

 

[Timebuilder]

Any stats on capacity, muzzle velocity, weight, etc?

 

[ATRCA]

Many, very fast, heavy enough at that speed, etc.

 

[cvsfly]

No I certainly don't think ACA pilots did anything wrong. They did exactly what they should have done to insure there is no sign of impropriety. It is just an example how a few (AW pilots in MIA) acting irresponsibly can create a whole lot of s**t that the rest of us have to walk through. Was this deal with the AW pilots their first binge or break in the rules? Who else may have seen them first and stopped them? We all, especially the airlines, have to do it better every day.

 

[surplus1]

I agree with trainerjet.

If there is any remark or suggestion of possible use of alcohol by any member of the flight crew of an airliner, the following should take place.

1) If before you leave the gate: Do not leave the gate. Stop everything, summons the authorities, advise dispatch and demand a test.

2) If you have pushed: Return to the gate, do not takeoff. Summons the authorities and have them meet you. Advise dispatch and demand a test.

3) If it happens while airborne: Advise ATC/Dispatch, have authorities meet the aircraft at the gate. Divert to the nearest suitable airport immediately. Hold the door closed until the authorities arrive. Demand a test.

4) If it happens after landing. See #2. Don't open the door until the authorities are at the airplane.

Yes, tell the passengers on your PA. You don't have to identify the passenger to the other passengers and should not. Do identify the passenger to the authorities.

Protect your career. This is not a game and there is nothing funny about such an accusation or implication. Protect yourself.

If you have a union, call your rep immediately and report the incident. Your union should demand that the Company ban the accuser from future flying on your airline.

You can't keep idiots from buy a ticket, but you can keep them from falsely accusing pilots of behavior that could destroy your career. It's real important that you not leave the aircraft until the authorities are there and you can get the tests. That protects the "chain of custody".

The same should apply re any drug related accusations.

 

[skydiverdriver]

You all seem to be pretty upset at this passenger, and if it was a joke, I fully agree with you. However, what if they saw or heard something that made them think the crew was impaired? I would hope that someone would speak up, probably the FA or a gate agent, but even a passenger has the right to say something, with good cause.

If the worst thing that happens is the flight cancells, that's much better than letting a flight leave with someone suspecting something that doesn't speak up. I do believe flights HAVE left with all of the crewmembers impaired, and nobody said anything until they arrived.

 

[LAPD Airship]

I do believe flights HAVE left with all of the crewmembers impaired, and nobody said anything until they arrived.

Me too....its called not enough sleep on a 9 hour overnight. 0600 push...yeah, Im impaired....Im f#ckin TIRED!

This is a much bigger problem than alcohol...by leaps and bounds.

I still think I will identify the passenger

Then I will sue him!

 

[ShawnC]

The MP-5

The MP-5 that most units use shoot 9mmx19, but there are conversions out there for 10mm and 0.40 cal

The weights range from 4.4lbs to 7.63lbs with the most often used model wieghing 6.47lbs.

The MP-5 is used by most police departments, the military and other government agencies. The FBI often uses the MP-10 because of the greater stopping power of the 10mm shell.

 

[LR25]

Refusal to take any drug/alcohal test will result a positive test.

Whether it was random, suspision or what.

If these guys would have raised a stink over it, and said they were not going to coperate, thats where it would have ended, we are bound and tied on this one.

The article said "blood/alcohal", what is the FAR say about giving blood and then flying? Its late, I will look tomorrow.

I guess the saying "the customer is always right" works with the airlines to.

A few month ago we had a passenger get upset with a flight attendant because his piano case luggage would not fit in the overhead, he caused a scene and walked off the A/C and told a gate agent that he though the FA was drunk, she had to go get tested.

Its sad, we as pilots/crew are givin all the rope in the world to hang our selves and it is up to us not to tie the knot and stay clean, but here comes MR/MS priss with an attitude that can do as much damage to us as if we busted an altitude or didnt hold short at the runway, or worse.

Hey, I know some guys I fly with that just look drunk, and thats because of there looks, can that guy get a lawyer to hear his case of discrimination becuase of the way he looks.

How long will it be before we hear that a patient at the hospital accuses the surgeon of being intoxicated.

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks, Shawn!

I poked around a little and found a web page on the MP-5.

Back when I was at the academy, we didn't have access to anything like the H&K stuff.

A few weeks ago, I saw a show on cable about the new gerneration of weapons, including some programmable stuff that will burst above the enemy when they are crouching behind cover.

Back on topic: has anyone seen a statement from their union, and mentioned whatever action will be taken there?

 

[V-1]

Sad to say, there are more surgeons who operate alcohol-impaired than we'd like to think. I have a good friend who's an MD who has spoken of colleagues who "are more steady after they've had a couple of drinks". Usually the patient is too sedated to notice, but I don't understand how fellow medical professionals allow this to happen. Disturbing.

 

[j41driver]

Re: Which two idiots are you refering to?

Based on your ending comments, it appears you were suggesting the ACA pilots were at fault. I didn't interpret the situation as being caused by a crew member. Rather, it was a passenger comment, which was solely based on the America West fiasco. It is ACA's policy (as well as most other airlines) to return to the gate and test the crew members. The end result was the inconvienence of many pax because of one persons sensless comments.

I think that the idiots being referred to were the 2 America West jacka$$es that started this whole mess. We all know that ACA pilots are cool.

 

[FLYnMONKEYS]

You all seem to be pretty upset at this passenger, and if it was a joke, I fully agree with you. However, what if they saw or heard something that made them think the crew was impaired? I would hope that someone would speak up, probably the FA or a gate agent, but even a passenger has the right to say something, with good cause.

Dude don't be so thick. You know everytime something from the industry ends up in the news some jackass always has to say something. Remeber all the "how'd you sleep last night" or "are you getting tired" comments after Little Rock? You actually think this idiot had any credible reason for making this statement other than the fact that he is a f...ing moron?

 

[ArcticFlier]

Me too....its called not enough sleep on a 9 hour overnight. 0600 push...yeah, Im impaired....Im f#ckin TIRED!

This is a much bigger problem than alcohol...by leaps and bounds.

I still think I will identify the passenger

Then I will sue him!

Amen to that....................

A lack of rest is still a big problem. A 9 hour layover doesn't mean 9 hours behind the door, but I'm preaching to the choir............

AF