United Airlines pilot sentenced to one year's suspension of flying permit at Roissy
Thread Starter
United Airlines pilot sentenced to one year's suspension of flying permit at Roissy
Sunday afternoon gendarmes did a breath-test on a 63 year-old American pilot scheduled to fly Roissy - Dallas in a UA 777. They noted he had glassy eyes: He blew 0,59mg/l et 0,56mg/l ( six times the permitted level ). In his court case Tuesday , he was sentenced to one year's suspension of his flying permit and E 4 500 fine.. The judges were not convinced by his explanation of only drinking two glasses of wine the previous evening.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers...ursis-20230726
As a matter of interest, is his ban limited (legally ) to France, or automatically extended to the EU or some other grouping ?
https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers...ursis-20230726
As a matter of interest, is his ban limited (legally ) to France, or automatically extended to the EU or some other grouping ?
Thread Starter
The article first says "Paris-Texas" then, further on mentions Dallas. I don't believe United fly Paris to Houston but American fly Paris to Dallas. I guess it's possible the reporter asked a passenger where they were going and the passenger said Dallas because that was their final destination and the reporter failed to realise that was via somewhere in which case it could be United.
The article first says "Paris-Texas" then, further on mentions Dallas. I don't believe United fly Paris to Houston but American fly Paris to Dallas. I guess it's possible the reporter asked a passenger where they were going and the passenger said Dallas because that was their final destination and the reporter failed to realise that was via somewhere in which case it could be United.
Thread Starter
It seems very likely - given pronounciation nuances - that the destination airport was Dulles, however would anybody like to answer my question about how wide-ranging this French ban on the pilot is, in a legal sense ?
I would presume that it only has effect in and over French territory although I’m not sure what the flying permit mentioned in the original post actually is. Of course, if for any reason, the pilot held a licence issued by the French competent authority it would be a different matter entirely.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: LHR
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If that pilot were to have committed the same FUI crime in the UK he would have gone to jail, particularly considering how far over the limit he was. From the POV of his standing in the USA he may well be terminated for bringing his employer into disrepute. It would also be just if the FAA echoed the French verdict and suspended his licence for the same period. Although I suspect the FAA will be keener to talk to him about his drinking habits and why he was so far over the limit in the middle of the afternoon. That will come with a minimum of a medical suspension and a mandatory period of therapy before he ever wants to get his medical back. He is in deep **** whichever way you look at it.
Thread Starter
I would presume that it only has effect in and over French territory although I’m not sure what the flying permit mentioned in the original post actually is. Of course, if for any reason, the pilot held a licence issued by the French competent authority it would be a different matter entirely.
Quite apart from anything else is it really the case he was apprehended on Sunday then tried and sentenced on Tuesday ?
I’ve never seen speed like that in the legal system
I’ve never seen speed like that in the legal system
France has the 'comparution immediate' by which relatively minor crimes can be judged under an expedited procedure. No idea if it was applied here but likely.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 1999
Location: USA
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If that pilot were to have committed the same FUI crime in the UK he would have gone to jail, particularly considering how far over the limit he was. From the POV of his standing in the USA he may well be terminated for bringing his employer into disrepute. It would also be just if the FAA echoed the French verdict and suspended his licence for the same period. Although I suspect the FAA will be keener to talk to him about his drinking habits and why he was so far over the limit in the middle of the afternoon. That will come with a minimum of a medical suspension and a mandatory period of therapy before he ever wants to get his medical back. He is in deep **** whichever way you look at it.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: LHR
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Oilhead
I very much doubt there will be any “firing” at all.
As a pilot in a European airline, if you put up your hand and say 'I have a substance/alcohol problem' then you will be put into a rehab programme at the company's expense.... for however long it takes. Subsequently convincing your aviation authority to give you your licence back will be a challenge later. The same holds true if you become the subject of a peer intervention because the matter is being kept within the company. Your employer is obliged to exercise a legal duty of care for their employees and in my experience they do so unfailingly. The success of the rehab programme clearly depends on the individuals' commitment.
However, if you get caught over the limit by the authorities and found guilty then you have already demonstrated that you have no interest in rehab and are content to operate whilst drunk hiding the fact from both your colleagues and the company. That is gross misconduct and will get you fired on the spot.
Companies are obliged to have a pre-flight drug & alcohol screening programme. A significantly grey area is where a pilot blows positive on a pre-flight company check.... how is he handled? This was the subject of much union discussion in my airline because of the possible inaccuracy of the testing and the fact that the authorities were not yet involved. I understand the debate continues.
Last edited by Magplug; 28th Jul 2023 at 08:10. Reason: spelling
Join Date: May 1999
Location: USA
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am very familiar with this particular program at this particular airline. As long as a pilot seeks help via their union and supervisor, and makes it through the "program" agreed between the FAA, the airline and the union, that pilot will fly again.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: LHR
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by HeadUpTheTailPipe
Big difference seeking help before, versus after getting caught, of course.