Another POSSIBLE ALcohol & Pilot Event in USA

[AA SLF]

Fox News is reporting another possible event involving a commercial Pilot and a breach of the USA/FAA alcohol rules.

Click on this link here (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,58944,00.html) for the Fox News story.

Please NOTE - - this is an UNproven event at this time.

As is so often noted in the "crash" postings here, let us wait until the facts are known before we jump to a conclusion -- please.

Having said that - IMHO this kind of story sure doesn't help the USA commercial aviation industry at all.

[Airbubba]

FAA investigates pilot who tested drunk

July 29, 2002 Posted: 3:42 AM EDT (0742 GMT)

WILMINGTON, North Carolina (CNN) -- Federal Aviation officials are investigating the case of an Atlantic Southeast Airlines pilot who was stopped by security agents after they smelled alcohol on his breath, officials told CNN Sunday.

The pilot was scheduled to fly ASA flight 4240 from Wilmington, N.C., to Atlanta Sunday, sources told CNN.

The pilot's blood alcohol level was later measured at 0.16 -- four times higher than the FAA limit for pilots, CNN learned.

Atlanta-based ASA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.

FAA spokesman Christopher White said the FAA was aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.

He said the FAA does not require alcohol testing for all pilots. It does require refraining from alcohol use eight hours before a flight, though he said individual airlines may have more stringent rules.

Flight 4240 was delayed for three hours and 42 minutes because of what Delta spokeswoman Nicole Sundgren called a "crew-related issue." She did not confirm the issue had to do with the pilot or alcohol.

"ASA takes the allegations made by a security agent at Wilmington International Airport [that a crew member was intoxicated] very seriously and is conducting a full investigation," Sundgren said.

Catherine Stengel, another Delta spokeswoman, confirmed the first officer was tested for intoxication.

Sundgren said the plane, an Embraer Brasilia 120 turboprop, was carrying 27 passengers. She did not know how many crew members were to be on board, but the crafts usually have two pilots and one flight attendant.

Earlier this month, two America West pilots were accused of trying to fly a passenger jet while intoxicated. They have pleaded not guilty to charges of driving while impaired, a misdemeanor, and operating an aircraft while intoxicated, a felony.

America West fired both pilots.

[daidalos]

This is getting worst and worst!
Now in the security check points, we're going to hear:
Please Captain,get your notebook out, empty your pockets and blow in this tube :(

[Orca strait]

The Airline Industry has some serious soul searching to do. We better get it together collectively soon, as the flying public’s tolerance is nearing critical mass.

The "Professional" in Pilot is a hard earned designation - those of you who fail to understand its relevance may I suggest you take this opportunity for a "career change" and let the true Pro's get this industry back on it's feet...:(

[TowerDog]

Agreed Orca, the few idiots ruins the reputation of the sober ones.

Now we are getting closer to mandatory drug/alco testing instead of random, which is bad enough.

Supposedly some countries already have that in place because a few srewed up for the majority.. :rolleyes:

[SASless]

Heck Ya'll.....in Nigeria....I know some helicopter pilots that can drink on nightstandby with the Ops Manager looking on! Lord....he will even tell you to go fly after having had six beers...."afterall you are only going to fly as the copilot!". Refer the ASA and AWest guys to that outfit....they will fit right in!

[Koja]

Wednesday July 31, 3:04 pm Eastern Time
Reuters Company News
Pilot suspected of drinking quits job

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) - An Atlantic Southeast Airlines pilot under investigation for allegedly showing up for work drunk has resigned, the airline said Wednesday.

The pilot, whose name was not released, had been pulled from active duty by the Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE:DAL - News). affiliate while authorities investigated whether he was drunk when he reported for work Sunday morning in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Atlanta-bound turboprop the pilot was scheduled to fly was delayed nearly four hours past its scheduled 6:15 a.m. EDT departure after an airport security guard reported that he smelled of alcohol.

"The pilot resigned prior to the conclusion of ASA's investigation process," the airline said in a statement.

The company said it would continue its investigation and would share its findings with the Federal Aviation Administration, which is also looking into the incident.

An FAA spokesman declined to comment on the investigation, other than to note the agency does not have the authority to file criminal charges.

An ASA spokeswoman said the Atlanta-based pilot was licensed to fly an Embraer (Sao Paolo:EMBR3.SA - News) Brasilia plane, a 30-seat turboprop, and held the position of first officer, typically second in command to the captain on an airplane.

The incident marks the second time in a month that pilots have been investigated for violating drinking-and-flying rules.

On July 1 two America West (NYSE:AWA - News) pilots who were taxiing for takeoff from Miami were ordered to turn around and arrested for operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol. The two were later fired and face criminal charges

[non sched]

Just announced in a press release that the pilot in question has resigned from the airline.

[Seriph]

Hey wadya say 411A. Good job the cabin crew were sober.