I recall reviewing a 737 accident report several years ago - the memory is vague but I think it was a -300 in China. During an attempted go-around, the engines didn't respond symmetrically (not uncommon pre-FADEC), the pilot responded badly, aircraft rolled and crashed - no survivors.
While the "official" cause of the crash was the asymmetric engine response, the pilot flying had a blood alcohol over 0.2%
. I feel pretty comfortable that the minor technical glitch could have been adequately handled by a sober pilot - even a newbie.
I also have a vague memory of a fatal news chopper crash in Colorado where the pilot had just left a Christmas party and was drunk on his ass.
So, is 'drunk flying' a major problem? No, but it is a problem, aircraft have crashed, and people have died. As SLF, I feel perfectly justified in demanding that the guys (or gals) up front are competent
and sober.