How come the public are always up in arms about a pilot having a couple of beers the night before a flight yet are more than happy for the EU to wave through new regulations on Flight Time Limitations that will create more fatigue than the current regulations.
It has been scientifically proven that a small degree of tiredness has the same effect as a small amount of alcohol.
Yet drinking is seen as a heinous crime .... but flying whilst knackered is seen as part of the job.
I reckon 100s more flights go out with tired or fatigued pilots every day than those that go out with one half of the flight deck crew having a small amount of alcohol in the bloodstream.
As for days off - days "free of all duties" except they are not, are they? As previously mentioned, 6 or 7 days on, 2 days off followed by an early start means the only day to relax and socialise with a drink is the middle night.
I am not condoning drinking but it needs to be put in perspective, particularly relative to the scientific evidence regarding the effects of fatigue, a much bigger problem.
Finally, why are doctors allowed to operate when a) knackered and b) having consumed alcohol (and judges can make a decision on whether a pilot was fit to operate whilst that judge may be drunk).