Their must be more to this story. "Passing Out" some how he got himself to the cockpit which would seem to me to be impossible for someone so drunk he was about to pass out. Whilst he was allegedly over the aviation limit, I wonder if he just fell asleep due to other reasons. Like fatigue.
Those of us who are old enough to remember it was almost a right of passage to be able to have a skin full the night before & still operate the next day. Even have a " sharpener" on the last leg. Be what it may I never saw or heard of anyone passing out at the controls but I did hear of a pilot turning up to work in only his underpants. (Not a recomended procedure)
However I am not condoning drinking & flying as modern aircraft are much more complex & sheer flying skills are no longer second nature.