AA FO Fails Breathalyzer, Arrested
 

American Airlines Pilot Arrested After Failing Breathalyzer Test at Detroit Airport - ABC News

Does this effectively terminate an airline pilot's career, especially as a 51 year old FO?

How common are breathalyzer tests for airline pilots in the US?

Other countries?

Are the tests truly random or do the companies observe pilot behaviour?

It depends on the company. They are not so common as in the EU bit depending on the severity one can have termination from flying for good

He was reported by TSA because of the way he was acting. So this case didn't have anything to do with random tests nor an observation by company.

Here's the part that has me scratching my head: After the FO was handcuffed on the apron in full view of the passengers, the flight was cancelled due to a "problem with the co-pilot chair". Source. I wonder what problem that might have been? Either the "problem with the chair" was the simple fact that it was now unoccupied, or possibly the chair was... soiled.

Apparently an E 190 F/O.

That's why they talk to us in screening. It ain't to be nice.

What is it with the handcuffs? Once it is established the FO was unarmed and had not committed a violent crime surely he can be left uncuffed? If he attempts to run away they can just shoot him.

.04 you are probably fired and reported to the FAA, .02-.04 removed from service and many operators would put you on a program, some returned to service simply after you blow under .02.

At a previous airline employer, there was a breath tester in ops. Asian carrier

Where I work, we are breathalysed on report, 100% of the time.

Got to blow zero.:rolleyes:

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It's not necessarily the end of the pilots career. HIMS has helped many pilots return to flying.

Handcuffing is a standard part of every arrest in the US, regardless of the crime charged.

Really?! Never heard of that before. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion just never seen that being done anywhere else. Is that in Europe or?

CP

I thought it was possible to blow a quite low figure without having drunk any alcohol, which was the reason for choosing <.02. Is this so?

I can't speak for every breathalyser from around the globe, but the ones used in this country are unreliable below 0.02%, hence that is made the threshold.

I must be missing something, but every time a US pilot is arrested in Europe for being over the limit, there's massive outrage on PPRUNE. No sign of it here?

Bad enough the fellow presented to the flight deck drunk, but soiling his seat? Outrageous! :uhoh:

Srsly, I'm appalled not only with a pilot that would consider taking the controls in a sodden state, but also any crew that turns a blind eye to past infractions. It's almost never the first time ... :ugh:

Is a reply mandatory?

It's India that does the 'always blow, gotta be zero" routine.

Hopefully our AA pilot will be leaving AA for a while so he can join a different AA.

I am generally speaking not a fan of APA, but their substance-abuse program and Project Wingman are both excellent resources and help to get back on track