Pilot's and Alcohol
 

Hey guys and gals,

Seemingly odd question (or discussion point)...

I have a friend who claims he read somewhere the other day in a study done on alcohol consumption in certain professions that pilots rated pretty highly in the scheme of things...of course he couldn't remember the source (too much alchohol probably).

Has anyone here been witness to anyone ruining or having their career affected by excessive consumption - directly or indirectly? Of course, it can affect anyone from any profession but just wondering if there would be any justification to this claim?

I actually remember a Simpsons episode where they depicted pilots in the bar getting wasted..stupid as that may seem, is it maybe a common conception? That show is based on stereotypes...

Anyway, thoughts??

ovum,
Yes. It happened when I was a fairly junior F/O to one of our Captains who was an exceedingly heavy drinker. He consumed a dozen bottles of beer and a bottle of scotch each and every night of his life, leading progressively towards 'brain death' (my term, not a medically qualified one). It came to the crunch on a flight that I was doing with him, where, in a terrible weather / terrain combination, he just peered straight ahead and tuned out from reality, necessitating my taking control and command of the aircraft. My instant command lasted all of 10 minutes after the appearance of the Chief Pilot in the cockpit, who, unbeknown to me was travelling on the aircraft. Perhaps it could have been covered up had it not been for the Chief Pilot's intervention, but a good thing that he was finally found out.

He was not drunk, but fully sober with a brain battered by many decades of severe alcohol abuse. He was a particularly sad case, being initially employed as a "bright star" from an English aerospace company and progressively degenerated over the next 15 years or so. He was terminated, and could only find employment as a toll collector, and even that he could hold for no longer than 6 months.

Regards,

Old Smokey

In terms of alcoholism the top three are:

1. Chef
2. Police Officer
3. Pilot

The common factor seems to be shift work, high adrenaline towards the end of the shift, and the ability to be able to sleep or not, after work. ie. drink a boot full to get a good night's sleep. Unfortunately the reverse is usually case.

TBT

I won't go into details but I know of a few pilots who have destroyed not only their career, but also their lives due to alcohol.

It's a shame, because some these people are really nice people, top blokes atc... apart from their alcoholism.

Sad story Old Smokey, thanks for the replies though guys..

There is a strong military influence in aviation, and the military is designed to operate under horrendous conditions at times.They try to keep the masses "fat, dumb, and happy"and encourage the use of alcohol for this reason. As the dutch sea captain said, "for thoughts there is always gin"
Serious thinking is not encouraged. You have to think it will never happen to you. No realism.

Some of this attitude has rubbed off onto civil flying. There is ample evidence on Prune.

I have the occasional drink to be social but I could never understand why one has to get totally pissed to have a good time, in particuarlar how you feel the next day.:yuk: :bored:

Haven't been to "the crack" lately have you Mr Boeing ;)

Basic logic
 

Well, to prevent Mr.Boeing being alone on his raft,

I am proud to say that I am baffled by the fact that so many people have to drown themselves in alcohol to the point where they talk nonsense, laugh like kindergarten aged kids and spend half or more of their earnings or thereabouts just to have a good time.

Without blowing my own horn, I am able to have a great time off the booze, and save a lot of money that I don't have anyway in doing so, not to mention waking up the next day fondly recalling the night before rather than spewing up into a toilet bowl.

"Yeah. What a great night that was, of the little I can remember of it, anyway..."
:yuk:

520.

Sad to say that many people prone to alcoholism are probably going to ruin their career anyway through other personality faults, be it through drink or other manifestations :(

I remember that episode of the Simpsons, it was hilarious, especially the bit with the drunk pilots!!!

Also, in "Dodgeball" when Vince Vaughn is in the airport bar near the end, drowning his sorrows prior to flying out, check out the down and out airline pilot bum with his head in a beer next to him...... !!! Love that stuff!!

Come on, we've all done it right??? Maybe not in uniform but still a little tipple isn't such a bad thing, right? If it helps you sleep.......

Cont - 520

I've seen what numerous can's of coke, a need for a good meal and worn out size 14 black shoes have done for you...............

I'm sticking to drinking :E

Hahahahahaha!!!!
 

Um, indeed, a good response as you mentioned. :O

None of what you've noted has changed, incidentally.

Two years ago seems like last week.

Fond recollections....

Will be in touch.


520.

Theoretically, and statistically, I should be an EXCEEDINGLY heavy drinker, having been in 2 out of the 3 top "rating" careers for alcoholism, yet, alas, i find myself, and always have been, a near-tea totaller...

Scubed, the best thing to get to sleep is a damned good shag! Well, in your case, it might involve copious amounts of alcohol to achieve that as well :p :p :p :p

I'm not fussy -an ordinary shag will do me.

Bushy, I must acknowledge your zeal in sticking it to the military at every opportunity.

What utter, unadulterated, mis-informed b*llsh%t!!

I wager that you have never been in any defence force, let alone the ADF. With that chip on your shoulder, you wouldn't pass the physical.

The ADF has in place fairly strict policies regarding drug and alcohol abuse, including random drug/alcohol tests. However, the defence community is certainly are not insulated from the rest of the community, and there are cases of people being nabbed for drugs/alcohol - as our vulture-like media and tossers like you are oh so quick to point out.

Maybe one day you'll enlighten us to how some big, nasty, horrible ex-military ogre dared to ruffle your delicate feathers.

Build a bridge and get over it, mate.

(Now where's that bottle of red......hic........)