I was reading an article today in one of the Gulf newspapers (Khaleej Times, I think) that there were 14 pilots and 31 cabin crew from various Indian airlines found to have failed the alcohol test when reporting for duty in the first quarter of 2012 alone.
Air India was not, the article made clear, the worst culprit. That honour went to another Indian airline with a much shorter name. I would paste a link but have been unable to find the article in the online edition.
Does nothing to breed passenger confidence or underpin a safety culture, that's for sure!
I was reading an article today in one of the Gulf newspapers (Khaleej Times, I think) that there were 14 pilots and 31 cabin crew from various Indian airlines found to have failed the alcohol test when reporting for duty in the first quarter of 2012 alone.
Air India was not, the article made clear, the worst culprit. That honour went to another Indian airline with a much shorter name. I would paste a link but have been unable to find the article in the online edition.
Does nothing to breed passenger confidence or underpin a safety culture, that's for sure!
While I am totally against any crewmember reporting for duty knowing they can be over the limit , how many airlines around the world have a 100% BA testing policy. That's right, every crewmember in India compulsorily is required to do an ALCO-3/4 test when reporting for duty and sign for the same . It's something I'm used to, reach dispatch, go see the doctor, blow into the tube, sign the sheet in capitals only...,back to dispatch to look at the paperwork, that's how our day begins, everyday.
Start doing that around the world and then compare the results . I think this policy guarantees no crewmember would be intoxicated / under the influence in Indian skies, can you guarantee the same elsewhere. Pretty safe, I think?Is it a long term solution, no...but thats how things work here, no carrot only stick.
About Air India and scams , nothing's going to change as long as the unions have political backing from the parties . It's the most secure job in the world and they know it. Everything the minister says is pure rhetoric with no action. All the suspended staff from the current fiasco will be taken back and things will go back to normal.....jai hind.
While I am totally against any crewmember reporting for duty knowing they can be over the limit , how many airlines around the world have a 100% BA testing policy. That's right, every crewmember in India compulsorily is required to do an ALCO-3/4 test when reporting for duty and sign for the same . It's something I'm used to, reach dispatch, go see the doctor, blow into the tube, sign the sheet in capitals only...,back to dispatch to look at the paperwork, that's how our day begins, everyday.
In that case - they are REALLY STUPID, if they are still blowing positive
In that case - they are REALLY STUPID, if they are still blowing positive
You would be surprised by the number of people who are ready to jeopardize everything. It's in the mind, they read about how the system can be beaten and when the testing is routine and maybe it worked once , they can do it again.
I wouldn't call it an addiction , but , alcohol used to be a big part of a pilot's life out here. With the zero tolerance policy, a lot of them are unable to change their habits .With the rise in BA + , the DGCA is taking a long needed tough stand . Gone are the days of a slap on the wrist , recently one of our captains lost his ATPL and suspended for five years with a possibility of criminal proceedings in the future.
They need help and it's more prevalent globally than you think.
It just reflects the state of the country - a stupendous legacy of corruption and embezzlement and a new sense of entitlement as India comes of age.
Most of Asia has gone through this phase - some are still stuck in it.
Don't forget Africa!
But, if these folks saw the Brits taking advantage of their country for 100/200 years, you can see how it gets into the culture. Embezzklement is not somehting they thought up on their own. Basically, EVERY human tribe wants to get more - for less. It is the way humans are.
Just to add to masalamas post, 100% breath analyzer tests for all flights, and with a tolerance of 0%. If the alco sensor shows any percentage above 0, you are treated as a positive case. I really wonder if the same parameters are followed in any other country. I am sure the results will be similar in any other part of the world, if the same benchmarks are set.
As regards Air India, the airline is beyond any rescue. The government of India can pump in as much public money as they want, the end result will be the same. The same staff, the same attitude. Well, some things never change.
Just to add to masalamas post, 100% breath analyzer tests for all flights, and with a tolerance of 0%. If the alco sensor shows any percentage above 0, you are treated as a positive case
I seem to remember, after having read previous threads on here about pilot intoxication, that it is possible to blow over 0%, even after having had no alcohol. Your threshold might need a little adjusting, before you ruin some(innocent)one's career...
They're not very good pilots, either - isn't there an incident where they came in too high to land, "request permission to do a 360", throttles right down then next thing the shaking stick, "Oh golly gosh, gear up ... full power" but too late with the loss of many lives?
