American Airlines Pilot Arrested at Manchester (NOT GUILTY)
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American Airlines Pilot Arrested at Manchester (NOT GUILTY)
BBC reporting an American Airlines pilot was arrested prior to boarding for being under the influence of alcohol.
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AA Statement
FOR RELEASE: Saturday, February 11, 2006
American Airlines has confirmed that a crew member for today’s (February 11, 2006) Manchester-Chicago scheduled service was arrested at a security checkpoint by Police at Manchester Airport following suspicions that he was under the influence of alcohol.
The crew member was a relief First Officer who on American Airlines’ flights provides back-up for the two pilots (Captain and First Officer) on sectors of over eight hours duration. He was taken into the custody of Manchester Police and released on bail. An investigation into the circumstances of this event was immediately launched by the airline and no further details of the incident will be released until this is completed.
The flight departed from Manchester at 11:25 a.m. local time with a delay of fifty five minutes and it is planned to make an intermediate technical stop in New York to supplement the original crew. The flight’s arrival into Chicago will be delayed until approximately 3:49 p.m. local time, some two hours and fifty minutes late. American Airlines Flight 55 is operated by a Boeing 767-300 and today carried198 passengers and eleven flight crew.
American Airlines has apologised to all passengers for the inconvenience caused and has made alternative arrangements for those with connecting flights.
Our primary concern is for the safety and comfort of our passengers and crews. American Airlines has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse and holds its employees to the highest standards. Employees at all levels of the company are not allowed to be on duty whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol and regular screening is carried out. Support is available for those employees who seek help for problems with substance abuse.
We hope that this isolated incident is not allowed to detract from the professionalism of American Airlines employees and the tens of thousands of professional aircrew worldwide.
STATEMENT FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES REGARDING ARREST OF CREW MEMBER AT MANCHESTERAIRPORT
American Airlines has confirmed that a crew member for today’s (February 11, 2006) Manchester-Chicago scheduled service was arrested at a security checkpoint by Police at Manchester Airport following suspicions that he was under the influence of alcohol.
The crew member was a relief First Officer who on American Airlines’ flights provides back-up for the two pilots (Captain and First Officer) on sectors of over eight hours duration. He was taken into the custody of Manchester Police and released on bail. An investigation into the circumstances of this event was immediately launched by the airline and no further details of the incident will be released until this is completed.
The flight departed from Manchester at 11:25 a.m. local time with a delay of fifty five minutes and it is planned to make an intermediate technical stop in New York to supplement the original crew. The flight’s arrival into Chicago will be delayed until approximately 3:49 p.m. local time, some two hours and fifty minutes late. American Airlines Flight 55 is operated by a Boeing 767-300 and today carried198 passengers and eleven flight crew.
American Airlines has apologised to all passengers for the inconvenience caused and has made alternative arrangements for those with connecting flights.
Our primary concern is for the safety and comfort of our passengers and crews. American Airlines has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse and holds its employees to the highest standards. Employees at all levels of the company are not allowed to be on duty whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol and regular screening is carried out. Support is available for those employees who seek help for problems with substance abuse.
We hope that this isolated incident is not allowed to detract from the professionalism of American Airlines employees and the tens of thousands of professional aircrew worldwide.
-ends-
Last edited by HPCR; 13th Feb 2006 at 08:08.
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We hope that this isolated incident is not allowed to detract from .........
A little premature to be saying that when he hasn't (yet?) been proved to have done anything wrong.
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Let's not be premature and hang the man in blue until the facts and results are in. If he'e innocent, then the man is due an appology. If he's guilty then he should be prosecuted to full extent of the law.... and may he be entered into the Darwin book of fame for stupidity
Lady Lexxington
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This is a direct link to the beeb story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/4704518.stm
Lets start a unique trend on pprune, that is, make the presumption that this guy is innocent until proven guilty (if in fact he is).
I have little hope though, the usual degenerative talk by the armchair analysts is sadly unavoidable.
I have little hope though, the usual degenerative talk by the armchair analysts is sadly unavoidable.
Anyone who thinks that this chap is instantly guilty should find the thread on the PIA captain who was also arrested at MAN last year.
He got an apology from the coppers and he's suing everyone else.
He got an apology from the coppers and he's suing everyone else.
Still behind the curtain
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I'm splitting hairs here, but according to the AA statement, wasn't he a relief pilot who would have come on duty after landing in the U.S. If he was wearing a uniform, does that have anything to do with it? In any case, he would not be at the controls from MAN.
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MAN MAN MAN
Something is wrong @MAN!
Alsways when I read about drunken pilots in Europe they are arrested @MAN
Very seldom that this occured somewhere else.
What is wrong at that airport? Is there a bar in the Terminal where you get Whiskey-Coke if you order a diet coke or what's up there?
According to the relief pilot:
He is linked to company policies.
All airlines I know have a "No-Alcohol-When-Wearing-Uniform"-Policy in their Staff-Guide.
So even when he was on private travel he broke internal rules if he had consumed alcohol.
As a relief-pilot he was supposed to take over control of the plane during the Atlantic-Crossing.
So in fact he would have flown drunken - clear broke of the well-known rules, §1.
Kind Regards
Something is wrong @MAN!
Alsways when I read about drunken pilots in Europe they are arrested @MAN
Very seldom that this occured somewhere else.
What is wrong at that airport? Is there a bar in the Terminal where you get Whiskey-Coke if you order a diet coke or what's up there?
According to the relief pilot:
He is linked to company policies.
All airlines I know have a "No-Alcohol-When-Wearing-Uniform"-Policy in their Staff-Guide.
So even when he was on private travel he broke internal rules if he had consumed alcohol.
As a relief-pilot he was supposed to take over control of the plane during the Atlantic-Crossing.
So in fact he would have flown drunken - clear broke of the well-known rules, §1.
Kind Regards
Paxing All Over The World
broadreach any PR department has a swatch of press releases ready to go. They would start with a minor thing like this and go via the resignation/death of the Chairman + CEO, through to a hull loss. These will have been pre-approved by the lawyers and all they have to do is fill in the relevant details. It's the same as the newspapers having their obituraries of Sir Freddie all waiting in the drawer. It's no issue.
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Stuck_in_an_ATR
What the hell is with MAN?
I don't know if there is or isn't, but it was at Manchester that there was the incident (discussed on PPRuNe at the time) where two police constables breathtested both pilots following a complaint by some woman passenger that it had been a bumpy landing.
Neither had any alcohol in their system.
(Well, the pilots didn't. I don't know about the constables.)
Flyingphil
Something is wrong @MAN!
You may be right, but I think there's something wrong with people who jump to conclusions of guilt on insufficient evidence, bring in irrelevant considerations and use the word "drunken" in the irresponsible manner commonly used by some sections of the press in circumstances such as these.
I'm sure professional pilots reading your post will look forward to the day when you become a Manager.
FL
What the hell is with MAN?
I don't know if there is or isn't, but it was at Manchester that there was the incident (discussed on PPRuNe at the time) where two police constables breathtested both pilots following a complaint by some woman passenger that it had been a bumpy landing.
Neither had any alcohol in their system.
(Well, the pilots didn't. I don't know about the constables.)
Flyingphil
Something is wrong @MAN!
You may be right, but I think there's something wrong with people who jump to conclusions of guilt on insufficient evidence, bring in irrelevant considerations and use the word "drunken" in the irresponsible manner commonly used by some sections of the press in circumstances such as these.
- We don't yet know if the pilot has committed an offence.
- Even if you're correct about company rules, they have nothing whatsoever to do with the criminal law.
- Even if he is found to have alcohol in his system, it does not follow that he was drunk.
I'm sure professional pilots reading your post will look forward to the day when you become a Manager.
FL
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 13th Feb 2006 at 07:59.
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Question, not speculating on the individual case but asking generally:
If a pilot is flying as "Relief" in the passenger cabin can he be charged with "being intoxicated while in charge of a plane" If so, when you get in the car with your wife, and she drives because you have had a couple too many can you be charged?
I expect the law varies from place to place but if I remember correctly the two pilots charged in the US were specifically arrested because they were in the cockpit and "in charge."
If a pilot is flying as "Relief" in the passenger cabin can he be charged with "being intoxicated while in charge of a plane" If so, when you get in the car with your wife, and she drives because you have had a couple too many can you be charged?
I expect the law varies from place to place but if I remember correctly the two pilots charged in the US were specifically arrested because they were in the cockpit and "in charge."
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I understand that the offence is committed if one is over the rather low limit and engaged in an 'aviation related' task. That would seem to apply to many types of job in the industry.
aka Capt PPRuNe
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In order to avoid this thread diverging into yet another 'teach the masses about flight time limitations and duty periods' I'll try and answer the question above. A 'relief' pilot is part of the operational crew. The relief pilot does not act as pilot flying (PF) or pilot not flying (PNF) during the first part or last part of a flight. He or she will only act as PF or PNF during the cruise when one of the other pilots can take a break. In other words the relief pilot is an operational member of the crew who is there in order to provide 'relief' to the other two pilots during the cruise on long flights. In the case of American Airlines I believe that it is any flight with a sector over 8 hours although I stand to be corrected.
So, whilst the mention in the news articles is that a 'relief pilot' was arrested for being over the legal LIMIT, it doesn't mean that the pilot was 'drunk' or any variation of 'drunk' that the media are likely to use. For pilots, the blood alcohol limit is one quarter of the driving limit which is in effect, zero or just above zero allowing for naturally produced alcohol in the body.
This pilot is innocent until proven guilty and with Manchesters reputation for getting it wrong I think the commentators on here should withhold judgement until the case is tried. Already the media have hyped this up and are asking if this is a problem amongst airline pilots. I have already had to point out to them that considering the number of airline pilots and the number of aircraft movements a day, the fact that you can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of instances of pilots being over the legal limit, never mind actually 'drunk', there is no 'problem' with such insignificant numbers.
So, a pilot has been arrested for being over the limit. That is all we know so far and until the case comes to court, it is best to keep the discussion to what we know. For the enthusiasts, a three or more crew consists of Commander, co-pilot and relief pilot/s. The relief doesn't sit in the cabin quaffing champagne and then take over to taxi at the destination but relieves the other two pilots during the cruise.
So, whilst the mention in the news articles is that a 'relief pilot' was arrested for being over the legal LIMIT, it doesn't mean that the pilot was 'drunk' or any variation of 'drunk' that the media are likely to use. For pilots, the blood alcohol limit is one quarter of the driving limit which is in effect, zero or just above zero allowing for naturally produced alcohol in the body.
This pilot is innocent until proven guilty and with Manchesters reputation for getting it wrong I think the commentators on here should withhold judgement until the case is tried. Already the media have hyped this up and are asking if this is a problem amongst airline pilots. I have already had to point out to them that considering the number of airline pilots and the number of aircraft movements a day, the fact that you can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of instances of pilots being over the legal limit, never mind actually 'drunk', there is no 'problem' with such insignificant numbers.
So, a pilot has been arrested for being over the limit. That is all we know so far and until the case comes to court, it is best to keep the discussion to what we know. For the enthusiasts, a three or more crew consists of Commander, co-pilot and relief pilot/s. The relief doesn't sit in the cabin quaffing champagne and then take over to taxi at the destination but relieves the other two pilots during the cruise.
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Read the BBC report guys -
He was arrested on SUSPICION of being drunk or under the influence of drugs eg slurred speech, wobbly gait, flushed & sweating, all possible symptoms of other things though MAN traffic police often go on smell of breath, again could be sign of something else - mouthwash
He was bailed, pending tests
He has to report to Police on Mon for test results - then released or charged, he is not in Court on Mon
MAN is not a BAA airport, it has a high threat level (US airlines, El Al PIA etc) and often the target for undercover 'red top' reporters. Every time a mistake is made, the screw tightens If the relief pilot is exonerated I hope the fact is fully reported. That's one more for the UK DNA database if G dubbaya allows it.
He was arrested on SUSPICION of being drunk or under the influence of drugs eg slurred speech, wobbly gait, flushed & sweating, all possible symptoms of other things though MAN traffic police often go on smell of breath, again could be sign of something else - mouthwash
He was bailed, pending tests
He has to report to Police on Mon for test results - then released or charged, he is not in Court on Mon
MAN is not a BAA airport, it has a high threat level (US airlines, El Al PIA etc) and often the target for undercover 'red top' reporters. Every time a mistake is made, the screw tightens If the relief pilot is exonerated I hope the fact is fully reported. That's one more for the UK DNA database if G dubbaya allows it.
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Sorry Lawyer, but I don't get your point.
I just stated that ALL Airlines I know forbit the consumption of alcohol when their staff wears uniform.
If this is a practical way of keeping a good reputation is another issue.
Personally I am able to identify people in T-Shirt and Jeans in the Hotel-Bar as the Crew of Airline XYZ that checked in 45 minutes before
It is for sure, that this guy -if he is guilty- broke internal and international rules.
He ignored §1, "Nobody under the influence of alcohol(...) is allowed to take over control of an airplane" (Which was Intended) and he ignored company policies.
I would be very surprised if this policy is not existing in the AA-Manuals.
As far as I know all european carriers copied this part from US-Airlines
That's all I stated!
I just stated that ALL Airlines I know forbit the consumption of alcohol when their staff wears uniform.
If this is a practical way of keeping a good reputation is another issue.
Personally I am able to identify people in T-Shirt and Jeans in the Hotel-Bar as the Crew of Airline XYZ that checked in 45 minutes before
It is for sure, that this guy -if he is guilty- broke internal and international rules.
He ignored §1, "Nobody under the influence of alcohol(...) is allowed to take over control of an airplane" (Which was Intended) and he ignored company policies.
I would be very surprised if this policy is not existing in the AA-Manuals.
As far as I know all european carriers copied this part from US-Airlines
That's all I stated!