UK pilot breathalysed after go arounds
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The coppers at MAN must have had a pretty good idea there was nothing amiss here but as soon as the pax went to them they had no choice but to follow up the complaint? Coppers being coppers they assume everyone is guilty so they let the thing sort of develop to see what happens. Nature of the beast?
Big egoes too and they sure do like to get off on the power trip thing especially the British ones at airports armed up to the teeth and in their paramilitary gear. Definitely a case of my one is bigger than yours!
Big egoes too and they sure do like to get off on the power trip thing especially the British ones at airports armed up to the teeth and in their paramilitary gear. Definitely a case of my one is bigger than yours!
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Unfortunately I can assure everyone that this is a true story!
Is currently under discussion on the company internet site, and the management say we must abide by the police wishes for a breathyliser regardless of the reason for suspicion. No-one has yet asked about the possibility of legal action for libel (or slander whichever is appropriate).
This country has become too interested in 'where there's a blame there's a claim', and there is no retribution on false accusations. Even the coppers should be pushing for 'wasting police time'?
MLT (counting down the days!!!)
ps dicksy.. nearly an hour and still not moderated? Wow, you must have hit the nail on the head!
Is currently under discussion on the company internet site, and the management say we must abide by the police wishes for a breathyliser regardless of the reason for suspicion. No-one has yet asked about the possibility of legal action for libel (or slander whichever is appropriate).
This country has become too interested in 'where there's a blame there's a claim', and there is no retribution on false accusations. Even the coppers should be pushing for 'wasting police time'?
MLT (counting down the days!!!)
ps dicksy.. nearly an hour and still not moderated? Wow, you must have hit the nail on the head!
Diesel,
"How about a machine at check in. You blow, get cleared for the duty you are about to start and then all these scalp hunters can go get lost..."
You are correct, compulsory pre-flight testing would protect pilots against accusations like this.
"How about a machine at check in. You blow, get cleared for the duty you are about to start and then all these scalp hunters can go get lost..."
You are correct, compulsory pre-flight testing would protect pilots against accusations like this.
Psychophysiological entity
Keeping the pax calm in the first place could have helped. I'm certainly no ace, but I could always find time to let the punters know what's going on, even if I had my hands full. The only problem I found was, that being shaken around vigorously sometimes imposed a tremor onto my voice. It was imperative not to sound anything but calm.
Once I said ‘If they believe that they'd believe anything' after a soothing speech. My F/O looked at me in horror...and then at the intercom switch. The frightened pax were then treated to a kind of jibbering laughter-voice, trying to fob them off with ‘just one of my little jokes fOoOoOoAaAks' type explanations as we bounce the last mile or so.
Once I said ‘If they believe that they'd believe anything' after a soothing speech. My F/O looked at me in horror...and then at the intercom switch. The frightened pax were then treated to a kind of jibbering laughter-voice, trying to fob them off with ‘just one of my little jokes fOoOoOoAaAks' type explanations as we bounce the last mile or so.
My only thought is that it had to be MAN, didn`t it ?
I'm sure they must get their security people from the same heap as GLA and MME.
Max.Pete and Tartan Giant.
Can we, who are on the outside now, do anything to help the poor b*gg*rs who have inherited our noble profession ??
Or do we just breath a sigh of relief ?
Sleeve.
I'm sure they must get their security people from the same heap as GLA and MME.
Max.Pete and Tartan Giant.
Can we, who are on the outside now, do anything to help the poor b*gg*rs who have inherited our noble profession ??
Or do we just breath a sigh of relief ?
Sleeve.
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How about a machine at check in. You blow, get cleared for the duty you are about to start and then all these scalp hunters can go get lost
Making you prove your innocence prior to taking flight is insulting and a show of a lack of confidence on the part of your employer and the authorities who issued you a license in the first place.
This could be introduced in a very positive way by the company/BALPA or whatever, as after all, safety is paramount, right? You lose nothing personally if you test positive accidentally. Those that know they are OK, and would feel that their integrity was being questioned by testing themselves would not need to do so prior to duty. If there was any accusation of insobriety by anyone at all, you know you are OK, right?
The Airlines duty of care is fullfilled to passengers and its crews, hopefully this type of thread becomes a thing of the past.
Regards, SD..
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So that is the reaction of the EZY-Case in SXF?
Every pax reports its crew to the police/security staff if something happened thas was in the pax opinion "Weird"!
No blame for the police, they just do their jobs!
We can just hope that this situation is a one-time-happening and not as of now every pax that was shakened a bit due to turbulence or whatever is calling the police after ldg!
Regards
Every pax reports its crew to the police/security staff if something happened thas was in the pax opinion "Weird"!
No blame for the police, they just do their jobs!
We can just hope that this situation is a one-time-happening and not as of now every pax that was shakened a bit due to turbulence or whatever is calling the police after ldg!
Regards
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Can i suggest an alternative theory (without resorting to the pathetic Police/BJCC bashing)
Passenger accuses a pilot of being drunk
Police turn up
Pilot VOLUNTEERS to give the breath to prove to the passenger beyond any doubt that he is not "under the influence"
Everyone happy
In this case there is absolutely no question of the pilot being under the influence because he took the test.
Puts a slightly different spin on the whole thing? Just a thought.....
Passenger accuses a pilot of being drunk
Police turn up
Pilot VOLUNTEERS to give the breath to prove to the passenger beyond any doubt that he is not "under the influence"
Everyone happy
In this case there is absolutely no question of the pilot being under the influence because he took the test.
Puts a slightly different spin on the whole thing? Just a thought.....
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Why not just ban alcohol full stop within the uk nanny state. That would remove the cause of most antisocial behaviour etc, allowing our overstretched police forces to concentrate and their speed cameras.
Might put another big hole in Gordons tax take.
Might put another big hole in Gordons tax take.
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Passenger accuses a pilot of being drunk
Police turn up
Pilot VOLUNTEERS to give the breath to prove to the passenger beyond any doubt that he is not "under the influence"
Everyone happy
Police turn up
Pilot VOLUNTEERS to give the breath to prove to the passenger beyond any doubt that he is not "under the influence"
Everyone happy
Pilot then sues supercillious passenger for defamation (be it slander, libel or whatever)
Everyone happy, except the supercillious fool who started this.
Beware anyone who accuses me, make sure your FACTS are irrefutable.
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I'm supprised they did not do him for 'flying with out due care or attention' or maybe arrest him as a 'terror suspect' and send him off to Cuba, was he eating an Apple by any chance????
Uncle Pete
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Sleeve,
I agree there must be something we can do.
False accusers must be made accountable but then you get the old chesnut:- "I was only acting in good faith"
The government, 'cos they make the laws, should have thought of this when the law was drafted. They didn't and now the noble profession has to put up with every pip-squeak and guttersnipe having a go and you can't do a d**n thing because you are gagged from going to the press by your terms and conditions. The company can issue a statement and it's not long before a name trickles into the press and even though you are all clear mud sticks. So much for the Human Rights Act and the right to privacy!
The goverment pay a man a good six figure sum to draft laws but I guess it must have been his day off when it was drafted.
Try writing to your MP and see where that gets you. My views on the chances on a reply are unprintable but if you send an e-mail at least you won't have wasted a stamp and it might make you feel a bit better.
Max P
I agree there must be something we can do.
False accusers must be made accountable but then you get the old chesnut:- "I was only acting in good faith"
The government, 'cos they make the laws, should have thought of this when the law was drafted. They didn't and now the noble profession has to put up with every pip-squeak and guttersnipe having a go and you can't do a d**n thing because you are gagged from going to the press by your terms and conditions. The company can issue a statement and it's not long before a name trickles into the press and even though you are all clear mud sticks. So much for the Human Rights Act and the right to privacy!
The goverment pay a man a good six figure sum to draft laws but I guess it must have been his day off when it was drafted.
Try writing to your MP and see where that gets you. My views on the chances on a reply are unprintable but if you send an e-mail at least you won't have wasted a stamp and it might make you feel a bit better.
Max P
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As people within the industry, either as crew or ground staff we are all more than familiar with a go-around (or two). However if you are an infrequent traveller it must seem pretty damn scary when the power comes back on the aircraft starts to cimb again. Especially with no idea whats happening or a reason why. Some family friends came back from holiday a month back and were telling me about the aircraft 'missing the landing' took me a few attempts to find out it was a simple go-around.
Im afraid that when you mix lack of knowledge with continued stories in the press re pilots caught drinking (no matter how badly they are reported) this is the end result.
Just out of interest if it had been you and the copper pitched up, listened to your story and said he was satisifed this was all a bit silly and no breath test was required, would any of you insist he carried out one anyway. I'm pretty sure I would have. Mud does stick so at least this way your innocence is undoubtable. Just a shame it has to come to this.
Im afraid that when you mix lack of knowledge with continued stories in the press re pilots caught drinking (no matter how badly they are reported) this is the end result.
Just out of interest if it had been you and the copper pitched up, listened to your story and said he was satisifed this was all a bit silly and no breath test was required, would any of you insist he carried out one anyway. I'm pretty sure I would have. Mud does stick so at least this way your innocence is undoubtable. Just a shame it has to come to this.
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just to clarify the earlier point (i'm sure flying lawyer will give me a slap if i am wrong - i am after all in the "lesser" profession... )
Libel is a defamatory statement in permanent form, for example (eg writing, film etc). Slander is a defamatory statement in a transient form (ie spoken).
Libel is actionable per se (no need to prove that any damage has arisen from the libel). Generally some kind of damage must be proved for slander. However an exception is made to this rule in certain circumstances. One of these is where there is an imputation that the claimant is unfit to carry on his trade, profession or calling.
So if i say X is the worst banker in the world, he loses everyone's money - that is "actionable per se". There is no need to prove that any damage (eg loss of clients) flowed from my comments.
There's a lot more to a defamation claim than this, however...
Libel is a defamatory statement in permanent form, for example (eg writing, film etc). Slander is a defamatory statement in a transient form (ie spoken).
Libel is actionable per se (no need to prove that any damage has arisen from the libel). Generally some kind of damage must be proved for slander. However an exception is made to this rule in certain circumstances. One of these is where there is an imputation that the claimant is unfit to carry on his trade, profession or calling.
So if i say X is the worst banker in the world, he loses everyone's money - that is "actionable per se". There is no need to prove that any damage (eg loss of clients) flowed from my comments.
There's a lot more to a defamation claim than this, however...
DOVE
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I shot a ride to Genova (LIMJ) on Rwy 29 a couple of nights ago with rt x-wind 23, gusting 35. A couple 'f self loading cargo had some sick but I didn't request them to be breathalysed.
