Pilot jailed (alcoholism & pilots)
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niknak
So you don't mind if he finds a job with a smaller airline? 
You've lost me, but no doubt it makes sense to you.
________________
It's interesting that some people (including the press) get very excited about extremely rare incidents involving alcohol and pilots, as if it was a serious flight safety problem, yet show little or no interest in pilot fatigue which actually is a serious flight safety issue which needs to be addressed and resolved.
FL
but I dont regret the fact that he'll probably never find another job with a major airline.
You've lost me, but no doubt it makes sense to you.
________________
It's interesting that some people (including the press) get very excited about extremely rare incidents involving alcohol and pilots, as if it was a serious flight safety problem, yet show little or no interest in pilot fatigue which actually is a serious flight safety issue which needs to be addressed and resolved.
FL
niknak:
How nice for you to be judge and jury. You attempt to put out the flames by saying you were insensitive, then you go being insensitive yet again. The man has been punished for breaking the law, but you'd go on punishing him for life for a human mistake. How nice it must be to be perfect.
Given the much greater societal problem of drinking and driving, I trust that you will never go near another automobile or roadway again in your life. Come to think of it, given the statistics about death caused by medical error, you'd best stay away from doctors and hospitals too! Have fun living out life in your little rubber room.
How nice for you to be judge and jury. You attempt to put out the flames by saying you were insensitive, then you go being insensitive yet again. The man has been punished for breaking the law, but you'd go on punishing him for life for a human mistake. How nice it must be to be perfect.
Given the much greater societal problem of drinking and driving, I trust that you will never go near another automobile or roadway again in your life. Come to think of it, given the statistics about death caused by medical error, you'd best stay away from doctors and hospitals too! Have fun living out life in your little rubber room.
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I'm wondering if our vindictive friend niknak maybe's just got a chip on his shoulder about pilots? His attitude to controllers going to work when they been on a bender is kinda different. Check this out.
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My company has the following procedure:
1) Alcoholism is indeed a sickness from which people can be cured
2) The company will assist you to get proper treatment
3) All crewmembers are responsible for each other with respect to the abuse of alcohol while on nightstops (as far as is sensible)
4) If a crewmember is susspected of being intoxicated he will be given the choice of reporting sick or being checked, if then found intoxicate immediate termination of employment will follow, if not no record will be kept.
To me this seems a simple but fair procedure, basically you'll be ok as long as you are not caught. Crewmembers who suspect alcoholism with a fellow crewmember are encougaged to seek indipendent aid for this abusing (sick) crewmember.
So far this procedure has helped two great pilots to overcome their addiction, possibly even more but such information is kept confidential of course.
Nick
1) Alcoholism is indeed a sickness from which people can be cured
2) The company will assist you to get proper treatment
3) All crewmembers are responsible for each other with respect to the abuse of alcohol while on nightstops (as far as is sensible)
4) If a crewmember is susspected of being intoxicated he will be given the choice of reporting sick or being checked, if then found intoxicate immediate termination of employment will follow, if not no record will be kept.
To me this seems a simple but fair procedure, basically you'll be ok as long as you are not caught. Crewmembers who suspect alcoholism with a fellow crewmember are encougaged to seek indipendent aid for this abusing (sick) crewmember.
So far this procedure has helped two great pilots to overcome their addiction, possibly even more but such information is kept confidential of course.
Nick
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I think a point many seem to be missing is that there isn't some clearly defined "line in the sand" where, if you stand, as close as you like, but to one side of it, you're not an alcoholic, and one small pace left and suddenly you are.
***********
Getting back to the unfortunate case that triggered this thread, it needs to be said that the pilot involved:
(a) Had not had a drink for 17 hours - that's seventeen - before departure time, or 16 prior to sign on.
(b) Was suffering from high stress levels bordering on depression - and had been attempting to get treatment for this some time. (And any EK pilot will recognise how hard it is to get an appointment at the EK Clinic, where EK staff are obliged to go.)
(c) Much like Lyle Prouse, he has made absolutely no attempt to fight the charge, (which in my opinion, while - like Lyle - is admirable, is unfortunate, because I believe a proper medical assessment would have shown that his liver function is shot and much of that can be attributed to the stress he was under).
(d) Despite what was said in the media, neither the FO nor any of the cabin crew noticed anything unusual in his behaviour. I don't know for certain, but I'd suspect he didn't know himself that he was still over – or even anywhere near - the limit. He was simply feeling like **** at sign on - as many EK pilots do damn near every time they sign on lately, particularly since lately most are flying almost 100 STICK hours every 28 days. (Didn't I read somewhere that fatigue can impair performance as badly as being drunk? If that's the case, we've all been flying around as if drunk lately - and very cheaply, as we've rarely got time between flights to spend any of it in a bar!)
(e) The incident occurred when the craziness of “absolutely no liquids” had just been introduced and the security person was being… shall we say.. a little over eager in his enforcing of this then new dictum. The argument that led to the so-called inappropriate joke was over a tube of lip balm. I don’t know about most readers on this site, but I for one admit I would be in quite some discomfort towards the end of a seven hour flight if I wasn’t able to grease my lips. His “inappropriate” remark was anything but – I’ve said almost exactly the same thing myself in utter frustration to overzealous security personnel – “do you think I’m going to crash my own aeroplane?” - and left unsaid, “would having a tube of bloody lip balm in my nav bag make one iota of difference if I took it upon myself to do so?!!!”
(f) I know the man in question wears elastic-sided boots, which are a little more difficult to get on and off than lace ups. I know I present a less than graceful sight getting my lace ups off in the cramped space available at the head of the conveyor belt at LHR security.
As has been mentioned already on this thread, I suspect there are quite a few of us who enjoy a drink still "out there" for whom 12 hours (and in some airlines - 8) are not enough to clear the system to under .02 after a heavy night, and hopefully, this terrible incident will be a wakeup call to us all.
Whether any of us will admit to ourselves that we may be on the wrong side of that very ill-defined “line in the sand” is, I understand from what I have read (and observed in more than one of my friends and acquaintances), the hardest and most difficult step to take.
Sadly, despite the many enlightened comments made here, the stigma is still there, and many men, (and if I am being brutally honest, I'd have to include myself), would find it difficult to completely shake that attitude were I to find myself having to make the decision to making that first, huge admission to myself that I may be on the wrong side of the line.
***********
Getting back to the unfortunate case that triggered this thread, it needs to be said that the pilot involved:
(a) Had not had a drink for 17 hours - that's seventeen - before departure time, or 16 prior to sign on.
(b) Was suffering from high stress levels bordering on depression - and had been attempting to get treatment for this some time. (And any EK pilot will recognise how hard it is to get an appointment at the EK Clinic, where EK staff are obliged to go.)
(c) Much like Lyle Prouse, he has made absolutely no attempt to fight the charge, (which in my opinion, while - like Lyle - is admirable, is unfortunate, because I believe a proper medical assessment would have shown that his liver function is shot and much of that can be attributed to the stress he was under).
(d) Despite what was said in the media, neither the FO nor any of the cabin crew noticed anything unusual in his behaviour. I don't know for certain, but I'd suspect he didn't know himself that he was still over – or even anywhere near - the limit. He was simply feeling like **** at sign on - as many EK pilots do damn near every time they sign on lately, particularly since lately most are flying almost 100 STICK hours every 28 days. (Didn't I read somewhere that fatigue can impair performance as badly as being drunk? If that's the case, we've all been flying around as if drunk lately - and very cheaply, as we've rarely got time between flights to spend any of it in a bar!)
(e) The incident occurred when the craziness of “absolutely no liquids” had just been introduced and the security person was being… shall we say.. a little over eager in his enforcing of this then new dictum. The argument that led to the so-called inappropriate joke was over a tube of lip balm. I don’t know about most readers on this site, but I for one admit I would be in quite some discomfort towards the end of a seven hour flight if I wasn’t able to grease my lips. His “inappropriate” remark was anything but – I’ve said almost exactly the same thing myself in utter frustration to overzealous security personnel – “do you think I’m going to crash my own aeroplane?” - and left unsaid, “would having a tube of bloody lip balm in my nav bag make one iota of difference if I took it upon myself to do so?!!!”
(f) I know the man in question wears elastic-sided boots, which are a little more difficult to get on and off than lace ups. I know I present a less than graceful sight getting my lace ups off in the cramped space available at the head of the conveyor belt at LHR security.
As has been mentioned already on this thread, I suspect there are quite a few of us who enjoy a drink still "out there" for whom 12 hours (and in some airlines - 8) are not enough to clear the system to under .02 after a heavy night, and hopefully, this terrible incident will be a wakeup call to us all.
Whether any of us will admit to ourselves that we may be on the wrong side of that very ill-defined “line in the sand” is, I understand from what I have read (and observed in more than one of my friends and acquaintances), the hardest and most difficult step to take.
Sadly, despite the many enlightened comments made here, the stigma is still there, and many men, (and if I am being brutally honest, I'd have to include myself), would find it difficult to completely shake that attitude were I to find myself having to make the decision to making that first, huge admission to myself that I may be on the wrong side of the line.
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Is there any hope in returning to aviation life after such a penalty has been imposed? What happened to the ex Royal Brunei pilot who was arrested at Heathrow and served a prison sentence? I believe he is flying again in Asia. And what happened to the other Royal Brunei pilot who was chased through Heathrow by police having tried to get drugs into Brunei? He escaped whilst on bail but is he flying again?
niknak
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Some of you may have noticed that this post was deleted, (by me) then ressurected by the Moderator Heliport.
My reason for deleting was because I recieved a number of abusive emails from sources which I've been unable to identify, directly linked to my original comments.
I had - perhaps rather naievly - put my family email address on my public profile, and the emails were opened by my young children, the nature of the abuse in the messages was, in this modern world, not entirely beyond their understanding and enough to cause them considerable distress.
I know that there are a small minority of mentally challenged individuals on any such forum who partake in such activities, but my kids don't.
In future, at least have the balls to abuse me by PM - then I can find out who you are!
My reason for deleting was because I recieved a number of abusive emails from sources which I've been unable to identify, directly linked to my original comments.
I had - perhaps rather naievly - put my family email address on my public profile, and the emails were opened by my young children, the nature of the abuse in the messages was, in this modern world, not entirely beyond their understanding and enough to cause them considerable distress.
I know that there are a small minority of mentally challenged individuals on any such forum who partake in such activities, but my kids don't.
In future, at least have the balls to abuse me by PM - then I can find out who you are!
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NikNak..as an airline pilot with 25+years invested in my career, I appreciate and admire your post...my first encounter with this situation was on my first check as a new capt...imagine the distress I suffered as I had to report sick to delay a flight when actually the check capt was still well under the influence...eventually thanks to an intervention program this individual became a "recovering alcoholic" and continued his career to a successful retirement...your concerns very justified...how do you know the surgeon performing surgery on yourself or family member is not a recovering alcoholic....or the driver who passes your car on the motorway wih a closure rate or 200kmh+ it is just "publicly correct" to publicize flt crew problems with alcohol...and rightfully so....remember some flt crews operate some horrific schedules with unbelievable time zone changes interrupted sleep patterns etc...etc one resorts to alcohol consumption which leads to abuse...not by any means attempting to justify these actions....just to shed some light on one of many reasons why it happens....so accept apologies from my colleagues from me....and please keep in mind that out of millions of airline departures daily these abusers are a very very small minority..an unacceptable one mind you..
Plastic PPRuNer
"...how do you know the surgeon performing surgery on yourself or family member is not a recovering alcoholic...."
You don't. I personally know two very successful surgeons, in recovery for 7 and I think 18 years now. Both are highly regarded in their field and one went on to develop pioneering techniques that have saved many limbs and lives.
If 'ol niknak had had his way both would be driving taxis now...
Mac
You don't. I personally know two very successful surgeons, in recovery for 7 and I think 18 years now. Both are highly regarded in their field and one went on to develop pioneering techniques that have saved many limbs and lives.
If 'ol niknak had had his way both would be driving taxis now...
Mac
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niknak
It's interesting that some people (including the press) get very excited about extremely rare incidents involving alcohol and pilots, as if it was a serious flight safety problem, yet show little or no interest in pilot fatigue which actually is a serious flight safety issue which needs to be addressed and resolved.
FL
It's interesting that some people (including the press) get very excited about extremely rare incidents involving alcohol and pilots, as if it was a serious flight safety problem, yet show little or no interest in pilot fatigue which actually is a serious flight safety issue which needs to be addressed and resolved.
FL
That sir is one of the most Intelligent statements made on any aviation forum...
Well Done!
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rmiller74
Doesn't the fact that you've flown for 20 years and are still here to write about it make you feel reassured?
If you need more reassurance, there are some interesting statistics in the link below.
They relate to the Australian aviation industry over a 31 year period, but I have no reason to think the worldwide stats would be much different.
Doesn't the fact that you've flown for 20 years and are still here to write about it make you feel reassured?
If you need more reassurance, there are some interesting statistics in the link below.
They relate to the Australian aviation industry over a 31 year period, but I have no reason to think the worldwide stats would be much different.
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As often happens on PPrune, the testosterone is drowning out the debate in some of the posts. Niknak has admitted he was insensitive, so leave him alone. This is an important debate for the industry and needs to be aired. Having been married to an alcoholic in denial, its easy to spot the posters who have been there and those that just don't 'get it'.
- Chuck Ellsworth, Lyle Prouse, and many others like them are the gold standard in what SHOULD happen - and frequently doesn't. In the 1990s Time Magazine ran an article about Lyle (one of several over the years) which included the following statement:
".......cockpit drunkenness is relatively rare. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the rate of alcoholism is roughly the same for commercial pilots as for the U.S. population as a whole, affecting about 1 individual in 7. "We are not in a general sense concerned about alcohol use," says a spokesman for the Flight Safety Foundation, a Virginia-based research group. "We are always on the lookout, but there's no evidence that we have a significant problem."
Sorry if this sounds pompous, but when I read that, I was utterly appalled. I can only hope its got better, because expectations have changed in the last 25 years - we expect the aviation community to NOT be the same as the population as a whole - we expect that number to be vanishingly small. The fact that this is reported in the media a couple of times a month means that its probably happening daily, multiple times around the world.
I work in a safety critical field with zero tolerance for degradation of performance through Drugs and Alcohol (D&A). Employers conduct random D&A tests for safety critical jobs, and employees know they will probably get fired if they fail. Astonishingly, some still turn up pi***d for work. But we also know that the employer will go to extraordinary lengths to support us if we are honest and if we admit to having a problem. There is no easy answer to this one but there are a couple of 'no-brainers' for employers to help the good guys get back on track and get the bad actors out of the system:
- Don't drive it underground - make D&A Voluntary Counselling and Testing easy, confidential, and non-discriminatory.
- Adopt a zero tolerance policy and make the penalties for non-compliance more severe (yes, that includes losing your license). Tough. You knew the rules.
- The moving post from Lyle speaks for itself. While it may have added to the wake up factor afterwards, as a deterrent, prison is a pretty blunt and fairly dumb incentive to change behaviour.
Like you gave Niknak a hard time, you all can abuse me if you like, but I think this cozy 'don't ask - don't tell' and Nicks 'if you report in sick if challenged then you are OK' tells me that some parts of the industry just haven't 'got it' yet.
Sorry Guys. We expect more.
Pinkman
As a Postscript, I want to thank you Lyle, for your inspiration. Reading your story back then, and your description of your climb again to a 747 pilot gave me - a classic enabler - the courage and determination back in the late 90's to persevere with trying to get help for my wife. Sadly she refused to acknowledge the problem, but at least I can face myself in the mirror.
- Chuck Ellsworth, Lyle Prouse, and many others like them are the gold standard in what SHOULD happen - and frequently doesn't. In the 1990s Time Magazine ran an article about Lyle (one of several over the years) which included the following statement:
".......cockpit drunkenness is relatively rare. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the rate of alcoholism is roughly the same for commercial pilots as for the U.S. population as a whole, affecting about 1 individual in 7. "We are not in a general sense concerned about alcohol use," says a spokesman for the Flight Safety Foundation, a Virginia-based research group. "We are always on the lookout, but there's no evidence that we have a significant problem."
Sorry if this sounds pompous, but when I read that, I was utterly appalled. I can only hope its got better, because expectations have changed in the last 25 years - we expect the aviation community to NOT be the same as the population as a whole - we expect that number to be vanishingly small. The fact that this is reported in the media a couple of times a month means that its probably happening daily, multiple times around the world.
I work in a safety critical field with zero tolerance for degradation of performance through Drugs and Alcohol (D&A). Employers conduct random D&A tests for safety critical jobs, and employees know they will probably get fired if they fail. Astonishingly, some still turn up pi***d for work. But we also know that the employer will go to extraordinary lengths to support us if we are honest and if we admit to having a problem. There is no easy answer to this one but there are a couple of 'no-brainers' for employers to help the good guys get back on track and get the bad actors out of the system:
- Don't drive it underground - make D&A Voluntary Counselling and Testing easy, confidential, and non-discriminatory.
- Adopt a zero tolerance policy and make the penalties for non-compliance more severe (yes, that includes losing your license). Tough. You knew the rules.
- The moving post from Lyle speaks for itself. While it may have added to the wake up factor afterwards, as a deterrent, prison is a pretty blunt and fairly dumb incentive to change behaviour.
Like you gave Niknak a hard time, you all can abuse me if you like, but I think this cozy 'don't ask - don't tell' and Nicks 'if you report in sick if challenged then you are OK' tells me that some parts of the industry just haven't 'got it' yet.
Sorry Guys. We expect more.
Pinkman
As a Postscript, I want to thank you Lyle, for your inspiration. Reading your story back then, and your description of your climb again to a 747 pilot gave me - a classic enabler - the courage and determination back in the late 90's to persevere with trying to get help for my wife. Sadly she refused to acknowledge the problem, but at least I can face myself in the mirror.
Last edited by Pinkman; 28th Dec 2006 at 07:24. Reason: Missed some earlier posts
Pinkman:
As you found out first hand, the most important step in getting better is in admitting the problem. For some, that day may never come.
I agree that a 1 in 7 ratio would be completely unacceptable, but I believe that professional pilots are better behaved than that. We are far less accepting of those who "push it" than we used to be. That said, there is still obvious room for improvement.
I also believe that this debate should transcend our industry and that it should be addressed by society in general. As long as society continues to view addiction as a behavioural problem which is best corrected by punishment (loss of a job/career, loss of priveleges, time in jail etc.), people will continue to hide from their problem for fear of retribution, even if someone in their life tries to transcend society's view and show them a better path. We need to treat these people the same way we treat anyone with a medical condition, with treatment, aftercare and a program which helps them cope with recovery.
I am not advocating that we coddle and hug people who put the lives of others in jeopardy while under the influence. They need to understand that society cannot accept putting others at risk. Sometimes that should mean incarceration. But, a large percentage of people who are nipped for DUI are repeat offenders, many of whom have done time in jail and/or had their driving priveleges suspended, but who have been allowed to drive again without any requirement to enter into a treatment program and a recovery process such as Alcoholics Anonymous. A program such as the ones Lyle and Chuck took part in is something we should offer to all of our peers, not just the ones who do the same job.
IMHO
Jeff
As you found out first hand, the most important step in getting better is in admitting the problem. For some, that day may never come.
I agree that a 1 in 7 ratio would be completely unacceptable, but I believe that professional pilots are better behaved than that. We are far less accepting of those who "push it" than we used to be. That said, there is still obvious room for improvement.
I also believe that this debate should transcend our industry and that it should be addressed by society in general. As long as society continues to view addiction as a behavioural problem which is best corrected by punishment (loss of a job/career, loss of priveleges, time in jail etc.), people will continue to hide from their problem for fear of retribution, even if someone in their life tries to transcend society's view and show them a better path. We need to treat these people the same way we treat anyone with a medical condition, with treatment, aftercare and a program which helps them cope with recovery.
I am not advocating that we coddle and hug people who put the lives of others in jeopardy while under the influence. They need to understand that society cannot accept putting others at risk. Sometimes that should mean incarceration. But, a large percentage of people who are nipped for DUI are repeat offenders, many of whom have done time in jail and/or had their driving priveleges suspended, but who have been allowed to drive again without any requirement to enter into a treatment program and a recovery process such as Alcoholics Anonymous. A program such as the ones Lyle and Chuck took part in is something we should offer to all of our peers, not just the ones who do the same job.
IMHO
Jeff
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Pinkman
We're each entitled to our opinions.
IMHO this has been an excellent discussion, with considered and informed contributions by the professional pilots who've posted. A few hang 'em and flog 'em posts (early stages) are inevitable.
JO
That may be true of Canada, but not of the UK.
In the UK, only about 12% of drink/drive offenders are convicted of a second offence within 10 years (Department for Transport figures) and there is no evidence (so far as I'm aware) that any significant proportion of those have previously been imprisoned for drink/drive offences. Their 'driving privileges' would normally have been suspended for 12 months (minimum) following the first conviction.
(More severe penalties are imposed for a further conviction within 10 years so the figures are readily available for that period.)
FL
As often happens on PPrune, the testosterone is drowning out the debate in some of the posts.
We're each entitled to our opinions.
IMHO this has been an excellent discussion, with considered and informed contributions by the professional pilots who've posted. A few hang 'em and flog 'em posts (early stages) are inevitable.
JO
"a large percentage of people who are nipped for DUI are repeat offenders, many of whom have done time in jail and/or had their driving priveleges suspended"
In the UK, only about 12% of drink/drive offenders are convicted of a second offence within 10 years (Department for Transport figures) and there is no evidence (so far as I'm aware) that any significant proportion of those have previously been imprisoned for drink/drive offences. Their 'driving privileges' would normally have been suspended for 12 months (minimum) following the first conviction.
(More severe penalties are imposed for a further conviction within 10 years so the figures are readily available for that period.)
FL
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 29th Dec 2006 at 10:05.
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another toast?
Am I being a bit OTT when I say that Lyle Prouse's posts should be compulsory reading for all pilots? I found them enlightening, enlightened and moving. I have never read anything on PPrune that comes close to getting to the heart of an issue quite so eloquently and accurately.
As an added thought, is it significant that the originator of the thread, niknak, went awfully quiet during the time that Capt. Prouse was posting his thoughts, only to emerge once he had signed off? I for one, regret his absence and fear this thread will be the worse for his leaving. Perhaps it's time to close it, save it, print it and post it via CHIRP to us all.
Indeed, Blue Skies!
As an added thought, is it significant that the originator of the thread, niknak, went awfully quiet during the time that Capt. Prouse was posting his thoughts, only to emerge once he had signed off? I for one, regret his absence and fear this thread will be the worse for his leaving. Perhaps it's time to close it, save it, print it and post it via CHIRP to us all.
Indeed, Blue Skies!
Last edited by rubik101; 29th Dec 2006 at 14:37. Reason: spelling!
JO That may be true of Canada, but not of the UK.
In the UK, only about 12% of drink/drive offenders are convicted of a second offence within 10 years (Department for Transport figures) and there is no evidence (so far as I'm aware) that any significant proportion of those have previously been imprisoned for drink/drive offences. Their 'driving privileges' would normally have been suspended for 12 months (minimum) following the first conviction.
(More severe penalties are imposed for a further conviction within 10 years so the figures are readily available for that period.)
In the UK, only about 12% of drink/drive offenders are convicted of a second offence within 10 years (Department for Transport figures) and there is no evidence (so far as I'm aware) that any significant proportion of those have previously been imprisoned for drink/drive offences. Their 'driving privileges' would normally have been suspended for 12 months (minimum) following the first conviction.
(More severe penalties are imposed for a further conviction within 10 years so the figures are readily available for that period.)
I suppose the term "large" is subjective. I'm sure you'd agree that if someone said that 12% of pilots were alcoholics, there'd be a loud cry for change. I happen to believe that if 12% of drunk drivers are repeat offenders, it is a large percentage (and our statistics in Canada are similar). I also believe that we are missing an opportunity by not making it mandatory that all offenders undergo an assessment to determine if they have an addiction to alcohol, or if they are alcohol abusers (as they are different animals). The assessment should be followed by mandatory participation in an appropriate treatment and/or prevention program as a condition for the reinstatement of driving priveleges. The same could apply to anyone who is found to be performing any regulated "safety critical" activity while under the influence.
Jeff
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(a) Had not had a drink for 17 hours - that's seventeen - before departure time, or 16 prior to sign on.
(b) Was suffering from high stress levels bordering on depression - and had been attempting to get treatment for this some time. (And any EK pilot will recognise how hard it is to get an appointment at the EK Clinic, where EK staff are obliged to go.)
(c) Much like Lyle Prouse, he has made absolutely no attempt to fight the charge, (which in my opinion, while - like Lyle - is admirable, is unfortunate, because I believe a proper medical assessment would have shown that his liver function is shot and much of that can be attributed to the stress he was under
(b) Was suffering from high stress levels bordering on depression - and had been attempting to get treatment for this some time. (And any EK pilot will recognise how hard it is to get an appointment at the EK Clinic, where EK staff are obliged to go.)
(c) Much like Lyle Prouse, he has made absolutely no attempt to fight the charge, (which in my opinion, while - like Lyle - is admirable, is unfortunate, because I believe a proper medical assessment would have shown that his liver function is shot and much of that can be attributed to the stress he was under
Secondly, liver function is not affected by stress - it is affected by long term heavy consumption of alcohol.