This pilot may have been three times over the drink fly limit but was still legal to drive a car!
This case should be a wake-up call for all crew who enjoy a few jars the night before a flight; the blood alcohol limit for flying really is low and the old 8 hours (12 in most ops manuals) bottle/throttle rule that many of us were weaned on is a dangerous guide in this day and age.
Also, we need to bear in mind that in this business clients can and do change their plans and bring departures forward with little notice. Would you call ops and ask them to delay the flight because you planned your drinking around a p.m departure?
I enjoy the social side of the job as much as the next man/woman but nowadays my rule is no alcohol for 24 hours before a duty and none while down-route. Really!
A.P