United pilot arrested at LHR
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Airbubba
If you mean when a pilot is arrested and/or prosecuted then that is definitely not correct.
If you mean when the police are not involved then, even on your estimate, the figure remains very low.
Perennial, but fortunately not frequent.
For example, UK convictions since 2004:
It's inevitable that such cases generate high profile news stories, partly because they are so rare and partly because they provide great scope for melodramatic reporting.
However, it is unfortunate (for the pilot concerned and for the reputation of professional pilots generally) that the press almost invariably describe the pilot as ‘drunk’ when, in almost all the cases, he/she was not drunk but exceeded the legal limit for pilots which is virtually zero.
(Edited to correct typos)
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I would say less than half of these cases ever get media attention.
If you mean when the police are not involved then, even on your estimate, the figure remains very low.
This is a perennial news story ……. unfortunately.
For example, UK convictions since 2004:
Royal Brunei, LHR, 2004
Finnair, Manchester, 2004
Emirates, LHR, 2006
United, LHR, 2008 (Court March 2009)
Thomson, Birmingham, 2009
American, LHR, 2009
United LHR 2009 (Court Feb 2010)
Taking into account that the UK has approaching 1 million departures per year, the majority of which have at least 2 pilots (more on long flights), a total of 7 pilots in 6 years may help put what some claim to be a ‘problem’ into proper perspective. Finnair, Manchester, 2004
Emirates, LHR, 2006
United, LHR, 2008 (Court March 2009)
Thomson, Birmingham, 2009
American, LHR, 2009
United LHR 2009 (Court Feb 2010)
It's inevitable that such cases generate high profile news stories, partly because they are so rare and partly because they provide great scope for melodramatic reporting.
However, it is unfortunate (for the pilot concerned and for the reputation of professional pilots generally) that the press almost invariably describe the pilot as ‘drunk’ when, in almost all the cases, he/she was not drunk but exceeded the legal limit for pilots which is virtually zero.
(Edited to correct typos)
.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 22nd Feb 2010 at 00:19.
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I don't claim to know about the UK but we've had at least seven pilots in six years pulled off the schedule for busting an alcohol test at my U.S. airline alone. I agree that it is a small percentage but some of these incidents are indeed handled quietly and with mixed results from what I've seen. Lyle Prouse has commented here on the individual roads he and his two fellow crewmembers took after the watershed Northwest alcohol incident in Fargo two decades ago.
A uniform and a Tiger Woods apology may get you a suspended sentence in Crown Court but you still have issues with the company, your licenses and your medical certificate.
On U.S. soil, American airlines can perform drug and alcohol tests on their own pilots, often positive results are handled without the involvement of local law enforcement authorities. However, outside the U.S. I don't believe the airline can perform these 'reasonable suspicion' tests so the airport police get involved. Or, in at least one case in my experience, the test is not done, the pilot is removed from the flight and deadheaded home after a rest period to be strongly encouraged to enter a HIMS rehab program.
Obviously, much of my alleged knowledge of the subject is anecdotal or based on personal observation from within the airline business. I would not deign to comment on the legal technicalities of a UK court and always appreciate your sage perspective on this aspect of a complex issue.
A uniform and a Tiger Woods apology may get you a suspended sentence in Crown Court but you still have issues with the company, your licenses and your medical certificate.
On U.S. soil, American airlines can perform drug and alcohol tests on their own pilots, often positive results are handled without the involvement of local law enforcement authorities. However, outside the U.S. I don't believe the airline can perform these 'reasonable suspicion' tests so the airport police get involved. Or, in at least one case in my experience, the test is not done, the pilot is removed from the flight and deadheaded home after a rest period to be strongly encouraged to enter a HIMS rehab program.
Obviously, much of my alleged knowledge of the subject is anecdotal or based on personal observation from within the airline business. I would not deign to comment on the legal technicalities of a UK court and always appreciate your sage perspective on this aspect of a complex issue.
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It's all quite simple
In todays so-called 'zero tolerance' policy with regard to adult beverages(more or less), I find the ideal situation in the following...
No drinking adult beverages whilst on outstation, and do so only whilst on OFF duty at domocile.
Advantages.
No problems.
Disadvantages...sadly 'reverse thrust' not possible, anymore.
(You have to be old enough to realise what 'reverse thrust' actually refers to...
)
I fly a three week on (sometimes, four) , two week off schedule.
This allows adequate time, at home, around the pool, for adequate marguarita intake.
Works for me.
In todays so-called 'zero tolerance' policy with regard to adult beverages(more or less), I find the ideal situation in the following...
No drinking adult beverages whilst on outstation, and do so only whilst on OFF duty at domocile.
Advantages.
No problems.
Disadvantages...sadly 'reverse thrust' not possible, anymore.
(You have to be old enough to realise what 'reverse thrust' actually refers to...
)I fly a three week on (sometimes, four) , two week off schedule.
This allows adequate time, at home, around the pool, for adequate marguarita intake.
Works for me.
