SWA f/o arrested for intoxication

[Jack Mahogoff]

I chat with the TSA guys all the time. Of course, I'm never hung over....or even slightily intoxicated. And thats because I always stick to my 12-13 beer limit on layovers.

Tejas

Exactly!! If your layover is 14 hours, limit yourself to 14 beers. If your layover is 18 hours, limit yourself to no more than 18 beers, etc. Always remember, if you're legal to start, you're legal to finish.

Seriously, if pilots keep getting caught I'm sure the day will come that we will have a 0.0 BAL and a mandatory no alcohol on overnight policy. As someone above earlier said, don't go to work with booze on your breath. Anyone ever hear of Altoids?

 

[CA1900]

Plus, don't forget, the whole 8-hour rule is only for single-pilot ops. In a multi-pilot crew, you divide the 8 hours by the number of pilots. (So a two-man crew only needs 4 hours.) Little-known fact. imp:

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Anyone ever hear of Altoids?

Nothing a little Preparation H can't take care of.

 

[canyonblue]

Seriously, if pilots keep getting caught I'm sure the day will come that we will have a 0.0 BAL and a mandatory no alcohol on overnight policy.

Oh yea, and Michael Jackson is going to stop playing with little kids. The drinking rule is there for those that can understand social drinking. It does not reflect the 8 and 10 percent of Americans - or one in nine people - that are alcoholics. They will not abide by rules or threats of expulsion, and will continue to flaunt the rules until caught, or worse. For this guys sake I hope it was an error in arresting him.

 

[Gorilla]

No one is advocating trying to "beat" the system that TSA (AND FAMs, but that's another thread) have set up to protect the public, by using breath mints or mouthwash. Everyone here is saying play by the rules. I agree.

With that said, I refuse to play their stupid game. It's a no-win situation. You either get arrested, or you fly your trip. I'd rather just fly my trip without monkeying around for the minimum of 30 minutes it's going to take to set up the machine, have witnesses, etc etc. What if the machine is messed up? I could be enjoying a starbucks and reading the paper... instead, I'm blowing into a machine with a cop at my shoulder, all because I decided to be "nice" to the TSA idiot who gets in my face and says really loudly "WHERE YA OFF TO TODAY, CHIEF!!??"

No thank you.

 

[SWA/FO]

where is the SWA/FO?

 

[stonewall]

where is the SWA/FO?

Took you a while...glad to see you finally posted bail.

 

[SWA/FO]

I think he is on Flightinfo.com.

Like I remind everyone else.. there are Doctors, Lawyers, Police, Judges etc... have drinking issues. Just saw on TV a Judge in LAS that got arrested for beating up his girlfriend. They said most of his cases involve domestic volience. Alcohol in SLC? Who would have guess they even have the stuff?

A very sad day for Southwest Airlines and our profession. Hopefully, this fella turns it around IF IT IS TRUE.

the SWA/FO

 

[bluejuice787]

Excuse me? I ask a question and this is what I get? Reread the thread -- I said I don't talk to them because I am wary of their procedures/policy. I don't fly drunk nor do I push the limits, but that doesn't mean I couldn't be pulled aside like so many others because of some wayward suspicion (mouthwash for example). My question about "nail technicians" is just that, a question. As for calling them "nail technicians", I am merely expressing my opinion about quite a few I have seen (and I am using another poster's phrase at that), not jetblue's.

"Gorilla -- you got it. I look at them with a blank stare, no hellos no how ya doin, nothing. I refuse to talk to TSA, which probably only makes them think jb pilots are rude, but I refuse to have one of those jagnuts point a finger at me for gargling with mouthwash."

That's my original post. Where do you come off bluejuice? No where in my "contract" does it say I have to talk to people. Ha.

If you want to discuss my "ass", PM me. It's quite breathtaking.

Where do I get off? I take exception to your simple-minded-ness. Can you name me one person that you know personally that has been asked by the TSA to take a breath test? Could the TSA be much better? I believe so. Is it what we have to work with...yes. Rather than be an ass in uniform why not just be your comical self and if asked to take a breath test (read: I seriously doubt you would) do it and be on your way.

As far as your contract, you are correct, you have no obligation to speak to anyone. If, however, you turn over that ID you were issued when you came to JB and read the values you should have every reason not to be an ass. If you have problems with the TSA tell your chief pilot leader or write you congressman etc. Personally I treat everyone the same and ironically have never had an issue.

Aside from you Chef, pilots are notorious in believing that everything that they ever heard happening to someone else has in fact happened to them personally.

Juice

 

[CA1900]

Where do I get off? I take exception to your simple-minded-ness. Can you name me one person that you know personally that has been asked by the TSA to take a breath test?

I can't speak for Chef, but I know one who has. I won't name names, but he was cornered at the counter and escorted away by sheriff's deputies into their office, to await the local police for a breathalyzer. All because the TSA goon "smelled something." Nevermind that he blew 0.00% three times in a row.

These people are a menace to the traveling public, and are nothing but a burden on our economy, and a drain on the airline industry.

You want to know one of my favorite security checkpoints? Rochester, New York. It's staffed by a contractor, which does a better job, with fewer personnel and less bureaucracy.