Ironically, it is a lucky thing that the regulatory authorities (FAA paper-pushers) can never measure fatigue, and might refuse to.
Serious fatigue can affect safety as much as modest intoxication.
How much cough syrup can put us over the legal alcohol limit on a breathalyzer? Was this ruled out in Las Vegas? If it WAS only from drinking, then the First Officer could have tried to save the Captain's career by warning him to return to the hotel and call in sick, if they both rode together to the airport. If he had had very little sleep that day, he might have called in fatigued.
Does Air Tran have a pilot committee (i.e. HIMS) which can investigate an alleged 'problem' before it leads to major consequences?
