America West crew arrested @ MIA
 

Just heard about America West CAPT and FO arrested in MIA today. News conference at 5PM.

The local Channel 10 news reported that the B737 was stopped on the ramp by police cars after pushback. Police boarded the aircraft and, after both pilots failed a Breathalyzer test, were arrested.

Apparently, the security screeners and other ground staff noticed the smell of alcohol on their breath.

Sounds like a messy scandel in the making, if reports are correct.

NOT good at ALL...:( :(

Confirmed by ABC News and channel 10 in Miami.. check their web site

Jeez!

"Observers told ABCNEWS affiliate WPLG in Miami that the tug or harness was still attached to the plane as it was being maneuvered into position for takeoff."

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Da...ots020701.html

Eboy - if it's been moved off the stand, then it is ultimately being maneuvered for take off.

Semantics aside, it's bad news for everyone.

Not all laws are equal in the USA
 

Florida has a law that prohibits pilots from flying aircraft while under the influence of alcohol and as a result the pilots went to jail in Florida. It doesn’t always work that way in other states. Two pilots were suspected to be under the influence when they left a major Minnesota airport. When they arrived at their destination (a state that had a law similar to that in Florida) they were arrested. In this case the authorities were aware of the pilots condition but they allowed them to fly to their destination fully aware of their possible impairment. So much for passenger safety.

:rolleyes:

If the ground personnel smelled alcohol on the pilots, how were they (pilots) able to get to the plane in the first place? If they really were intoxicated, the push-back's uncomfortably close to actually being airborne.:(

The Northwest jokes are over. Let the America West jokes come forth.

Capt & FO tried to pass thru "security" with cups of coffee. This is a no-no. Argument (up close) with Security personnel. The crew left their cups outside of security and were passed thru. Security Supervisor had smelled "alcohol breath" during "discussion" about coffee cups. This Supervisor called Airport Police who had the plane returned from "off" gate to the gate. Breathalyzer test showed Capt breath at 0.91 % and the FO breath at 0.84 %. Standard in Florida is 0.80 % for drunkeness. Crew were then arrested.

Northwest jokes? Nope - we can have the Air "Worst" jokes instead. This is what Air West is called by professional passengers here in the USA. Well, we do call Northwest by the "name" of NorthWORST as well. So - we pax/slf are very even-handed, yes?

Nothing funny though about 0.91% alcohol reading!! :mad:

From the ABC News article -
Is this true? In Australia we have the 8 hour bottle to throttle like most other countries, but there is also the proviso that you won't be under the influence of alchohol at all whilst flying, i.e. a BAC of 0.00.

TL

Yep, that's true. The FAA limit for random alcohol testing (which is done by Breathalyzer) is .04.

Very damaging to the profession and VERY VERY damaging to America West Airlines, who is already facing bankruptsy. Have a hard time believing two professional pilots could have such reckless disregard.

Let the investigation show what the truth is. Breathalizer test is pretty damning, though, assuming it's accurate.

I was wondering where the flight attendants were in all this.

BIK, you are correct I believe. There is no limit prescribed by our legislation. There is also no power to breath test that I have been able to find either. Which is kind of stupid. As I'm sure most are aware, the 8 hour limit from bottle to throttle COULD result in a pilot still being way over the Road Safety Act interpretation, but being considered acceptable to fly. I guess it's a case of if you don't f#ck up, then no problem...............Not that I agree with that....... In Victoria at least, if you are involved in an accident, and you are injured and require ambulance or hospital treatment, then a blood test would be taken. That may lead to questions of course.........

Good point Bubbette.... and what about the Handling agent. It blows my mind, how a professional pilot would do something like this. Very damaging to our proffession.
Once you know, you have to wear that uniform within the next 24 hours or so.....no alcohol whatsoever, period. Well, for the benefit of the doubt, let's wait until the official test is out.

The old DO of America West was a friend of mine when he was with the CIA. Really nice guy. I wonder what his thoughts would be.... but I think he is still in prison for smuggling drugs from Mexico. ives new meaning to "lead by example"

accuracy?
 

Just a thought - exactly how reliable are breathalyzer tests vv a full-on blood test? Would a strong Listerine gargle produce a false positive?

Not sure what these BAC levels equate to as far as how many units of alcohol/beers drunk, sounds like these guys do deserve whatever they get though!
I would have thought though, that the Florida levels could be achieved just by taking the wrong cold medicine :eek: