You might know from the 'Rumours & News' forum that British TV (Channel 4) put on a programme last night alleging breaking of 'bottle to throttle' regulations by crews of a certain British airline. The programme (or should I say program) also featured by way of a demonstration a simulator test where two US pilots and a US flight engineer were given copious amounts of alcohol, then put in a 727 sim to see how they coped (not very well).

The pilots were Mel, aged 25, 2500 hours; Mike, aged 32, 4300 hours, and the F/E Bob, aged 30, 2500 hours. Does anybody know these guys? Were they really fully trained airline pilots and 727 rated? For whom do they work? Mel was in the left seat; would he really be there with such low hours?

Any information would be welcome, especially if the guys themselves could get in touch.

During the program the 'captain' was shown falling asleep before take-off. He remained fast asleep during the take-off and the subsequent emergency, with lights flashing and bells ringing. He was eventually woken by the first officer tapping him on the shoulder. However when interviewed a short while later he seemed quite lucid in his views about the evils of alcohol.Were these guy for real? Can a guy in his twenties with 2500 hours be a 727 captain in the US? Was it a set-up? Answers from our US cousins would be appreciated.

Airclues

Just to move it to the top. Come on you guys, somebody must know them!

Don't know Mel and his crew.
It is possible, maybe, to get a 727 command here in the US with 2500 hrs, however VERY unlikely due to insurance requirements and flt. ops manual minimum qual, etc.

Doubt any airline grow so fast they need to upgrade boys with that little time.

I worked with a guy that was 747 capt at age 28, he however had tons of flight time and previous command of Lears, DC-9s, DC-8s etc.

So to sum it up: Yes, it COULD happen, but doubt it.
(Perhaps if daddy owned the 727)

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Men, this is no drill...