Originally Posted by
bafanguy
bubba,
Of course, we long ago abandoned the Fourth Amendment as it might relate to airline pilots.
The 4th protects you against unreasonable searches, and then only from the government.
If you choose to operate an aircraft carrying up to 500 lives and enough fuel to effectively demolish a skyscraper, then the general public might consider it reasonable (a reasonable search) that you submit to a check before the flight.
Remember that that check does not necessarily have to be criminal: I could see a compromise where your medical certificate is "revalidated" by taking a breathalizer test, blood pressure, fatigueness check, and glucose levels before every flight. And then taken by a nurse, not a law enforcement officer. Alcohol level too high? Your medical is simply suspended for medical reasons. Nobody needs to know why; it could be a sugar rush or temporarily high blood pressure. And in the meantime, the company diverts you to an alcohol course without you being arrested.
Win-win-win in my book. Air crew have a safety net, traveling public know the boys and girls up front are fit to fly, and airlines won't have the negative publicity.