pilot sentenced for being drunk

[FO4life]

You all are skipping the most important thing! Can the FO LOG IT?

 

[partypilot1]

Multiple failures here....

In a cloud of "poor judgment" the FO shouldn't have shown up for the flight. He probably did the best he could to conceal his breath and judging from his abilities to properly complete his tasks he most likely made this error before. Everybody makes poor decisions from time to time and sometimes it takes rock bottom before the trend is detected.
The captain should have made is concerns know to the FO and they would have come up with an exit strategy that didn't involve (media, tax money, courts, prison and negative perception of pilots). His inability to enquire from the FO about his competence when doubt is present only speaks his ability to "command" the aircraft. The captains' character is made known when he calls to enquire about what to do next (save his own @ss). His lack of command, character, and compassion doesn't rest solely on his shoulders, we as a society have a duty to teach our young these qualities so when they are tested, they can proceed with honor.

I don't know any of the facts of the story besides what I read in the article but in my humble opinion the FO hit rock bottom (luckily no one was hurt) and the captain has to live with how he handled the situation. Unfortunately, our legal system finds that 6 months in federal prison will "help" his problem.

 

[Clutch]

Maybe the captain didn't like the FO. Hated him that much...

 

[aussieflyboy]

Maybe the captain didn't like the FO. Hated him that much...

No, NOBODY is to blame but the FO here. Stop making out like its the captain's fault this happened. This guy shouldn't even be allowed to command a tandem bicycle IMO.

 

[601Pilot]

So...I'm assuming ALPA will get his job back after the 1 year off. We've all seen them get people back online that have done worse.

 

[Fubijaakr]

So...I'm assuming ALPA will get his job back after the 1 year off. We've all seen them get people back online that have done worse.

Nope. He's now a felon. Can't fly OR vote.

 

[JAFI]

Nope. He's now a felon. Can't fly OR vote.

Not exactly true. Some of our best felons run for office and fly....

The FO will lose all his pilot certificates and will have to take his private to Commercial all over again. His flight time will count but it will take around a year to get back to paid flying status (after he gets out of "the big house") and because he is a convicted felon - no ATP. But he can run for congress and have friends who congrssmen owe.....

 

[CA1900]

Who says he's a felon? If memory serves, only specific crimes and those with sentences of more than 1 year in prison are felonies under U.S. federal law. With a sentence of 6 months, this should be a Class B misdemeanor.

Not sure if this particular crime is a felony by definition, though.

 

[whaleroast]

Multiple failures here....

In a cloud of "poor judgment" the FO shouldn't have shown up for the flight. He probably did the best he could to conceal his breath and judging from his abilities to properly complete his tasks he most likely made this error before. Everybody makes poor decisions from time to time and sometimes it takes rock bottom before the trend is detected.
The captain should have made is concerns know to the FO and they would have come up with an exit strategy that didn't involve (media, tax money, courts, prison and negative perception of pilots). His inability to enquire from the FO about his competence when doubt is present only speaks his ability to "command" the aircraft. The captains' character is made known when he calls to enquire about what to do next (save his own @ss). His lack of command, character, and compassion doesn't rest solely on his shoulders, we as a society have a duty to teach our young these qualities so when they are tested, they can proceed with honor.

I don't know any of the facts of the story besides what I read in the article but in my humble opinion the FO hit rock bottom (luckily no one was hurt) and the captain has to live with how he handled the situation. Unfortunately, our legal system finds that 6 months in federal prison will "help" his problem.

I agree with this poster. I feel bad for this guy maybe because I am a drunk but as a captain I would never throw a guy under the bus like that. Come to jesus talk, call in sick in isnt that hard to defuse this situation. CA sounds like a giant ******************************bag to me.
I hope the fo can get rehabed because that's what the prison system is supposed to do, rehabilitate people. Yeah right, after his stint he can climb right back into the cockpit because he has gone through the system. The reality is he will be lucky to ever hold a minimum wage job again. And like some earlier said he is a felon cant even vote. All rights are pretty much gone and all the ca had to do was tell him to call in sick.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

All rights are pretty much gone and all the ca had to do was tell him to call in sick.

And it would have been another CAs problem, maybe it wouldn't have worked out so well. many here want to find an excuse to justify behavior on both sides. An alcoholic does not respond to "come to jesus talks" or many other inputs. For many alcoholics jail or some intervention from the judicial system is required, and even there are some who collect DUIs like baseball cards. Sorry being an airline pilot isn't some god given right, ya gotta earn it and maintain it by not screwing the pooch. He got off lucky and deserves prison, and the MickyDs grill master position waiting for him after he gets out.
No pity whats so ever.