Incredible India!!!!
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Incredible India!!!!
Read this today while studying the "notams"-
From the INDIA TODAY newspaper-
Errant pilots in India mostly escape being disciplined even though some of them report to work drunk during festive seasons.
Apart from the fact that it's not a criminal offence for a pilot to report drunk before a flight in the country, the dearth of experienced pilots means airlines often have to turn a blind eye to the nuisance and let the offenders go off the hook lightly.
" It ( drunk pilots) is an old issue. Our airlines don't want to take action against them as there is a shortage of experienced pilots," a retired pilot said while commenting on an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York getting delayed after one of the four pilots reported to duty inebriated on Monday.
The offender - a commander - failed the pre- flight breath analyser test. The airline managed to replace him at the last moment. The plane took off in the early hours of the morning after a delay of 45 minutes.
Though some pilots in India report to work drunk just after Diwali, Christmas and New Year, the airlines don't take harsh punitive steps against them as they afraid of losing the pilots. " If you are a junior pilot with not much experience, you may be in slight trouble. However, if you are a commander, then the airline concerned mostly ignores it," the retired pilot said.
"A commander has 8,000 to 35,000 hours of experience. He is the only one equipped to fly a Boeing 777 200LR, which can fly from any point in the world to the other for 17 hours at a stretch. So if you discipline or sack him, he can join any other airline within no time," he added.
Moreover, the country does not have a mandatory check- up for the pilots before their flights. And then, there is no rule to discipline him when found drunk on duty.
"The airlines are playing with the lives of the people in absence of the compulsory check- ups for pilots and the lack of punitive rules," the retired pilot said.
A simple solution, according to him, could ensure that the pilots don't come to work drunk. " A pilot who comes inebriated should be immediately be disciplined or sacked. All airlines the world over should have a data base on such transgressions by the pilots. Considering banks maintain data bases for defaulters, it should not be a big deal to draw up one for the errant pilots," he said.
The Centre, he added, is planning to bring in mandatory breath analyser tests for all pilots before they fly. " The nuisance prevails abroad also. However, in the US and the UK, it is a criminal offence. In London's Heathrow Airport, security personnel are empowered to randomly check whether pilots are drunk or not. Getting caught could increase your chance of being prosecuted," the retired pilot added.
Courtesy: Mail Today
Now I know some aspects of life are a bit different in this beautiful country, but is this for real!!!????
From the INDIA TODAY newspaper-
Errant pilots in India mostly escape being disciplined even though some of them report to work drunk during festive seasons.
Apart from the fact that it's not a criminal offence for a pilot to report drunk before a flight in the country, the dearth of experienced pilots means airlines often have to turn a blind eye to the nuisance and let the offenders go off the hook lightly.
" It ( drunk pilots) is an old issue. Our airlines don't want to take action against them as there is a shortage of experienced pilots," a retired pilot said while commenting on an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York getting delayed after one of the four pilots reported to duty inebriated on Monday.
The offender - a commander - failed the pre- flight breath analyser test. The airline managed to replace him at the last moment. The plane took off in the early hours of the morning after a delay of 45 minutes.
Though some pilots in India report to work drunk just after Diwali, Christmas and New Year, the airlines don't take harsh punitive steps against them as they afraid of losing the pilots. " If you are a junior pilot with not much experience, you may be in slight trouble. However, if you are a commander, then the airline concerned mostly ignores it," the retired pilot said.
"A commander has 8,000 to 35,000 hours of experience. He is the only one equipped to fly a Boeing 777 200LR, which can fly from any point in the world to the other for 17 hours at a stretch. So if you discipline or sack him, he can join any other airline within no time," he added.
Moreover, the country does not have a mandatory check- up for the pilots before their flights. And then, there is no rule to discipline him when found drunk on duty.
"The airlines are playing with the lives of the people in absence of the compulsory check- ups for pilots and the lack of punitive rules," the retired pilot said.
A simple solution, according to him, could ensure that the pilots don't come to work drunk. " A pilot who comes inebriated should be immediately be disciplined or sacked. All airlines the world over should have a data base on such transgressions by the pilots. Considering banks maintain data bases for defaulters, it should not be a big deal to draw up one for the errant pilots," he said.
The Centre, he added, is planning to bring in mandatory breath analyser tests for all pilots before they fly. " The nuisance prevails abroad also. However, in the US and the UK, it is a criminal offence. In London's Heathrow Airport, security personnel are empowered to randomly check whether pilots are drunk or not. Getting caught could increase your chance of being prosecuted," the retired pilot added.
Courtesy: Mail Today
Now I know some aspects of life are a bit different in this beautiful country, but is this for real!!!????
Join Date: Nov 2004
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In India prior to flight crews are given an alcohol test. You report to a doctor who gives you the test. Cabin crews are subjected to this as well. While there are some times where the BA test is waived by the Dr. (perhaps a certain quota for the day has been met) for the most part you can expect to be tested 90% of the time. Anything other than 0.0 is not acceptable.
Indian pilot who test positive are not usually terminated, unless it is a repeat offence. One individual was terminated here after his third offence.The disciplinary action varies from airline to airline. I believe at Spicejet it involves loss of pay (half-pay) for 3 months. There are no intervention programs(HIMS) to help those who might have a drinking problem.
Expat pilots at Spicejet who test positive historically have been asked to leave almost immediately. We have had a few of those as well.
So in the nutshell, Indian pilots do get some relief in this area whereas expats do not. Also, there is no random drug testing here.
Indian pilot who test positive are not usually terminated, unless it is a repeat offence. One individual was terminated here after his third offence.The disciplinary action varies from airline to airline. I believe at Spicejet it involves loss of pay (half-pay) for 3 months. There are no intervention programs(HIMS) to help those who might have a drinking problem.
Expat pilots at Spicejet who test positive historically have been asked to leave almost immediately. We have had a few of those as well.
So in the nutshell, Indian pilots do get some relief in this area whereas expats do not. Also, there is no random drug testing here.
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Nevrekar-- well said and factual info.... Indian pilots MUST be let go the tolerance level must be ZERO...
With more and more younger pilots in the Indian system the drug testing should be conducted more often...
With more and more younger pilots in the Indian system the drug testing should be conducted more often...
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I think that the biggest problem for DGCA is the shortage of man power and that's an irony (India being 2nd most populated country). 
IMHO, DGCA can find just enough inspectors but only if they are willing to.
IMHO, DGCA can find just enough inspectors but only if they are willing to.
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As the Indian aviation culture evolves, albeit slowly, there is a scramble for the positions of ultimate power between the management, pilots and authorities. With the media and the public on the sidelines watching the every move and development of the burgeoning industry, DUI has been a problem.
The habitual drink driver will be found out sooner or later. What has to be discouraged is the " lets take a chance, it will be our first time anyway" thinking.
I agree with Left Wing on zero tolerance from the word go, not after something major happens.
The habitual drink driver will be found out sooner or later. What has to be discouraged is the " lets take a chance, it will be our first time anyway" thinking.
I agree with Left Wing on zero tolerance from the word go, not after something major happens.
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One strike ure out rule is a bit harsh. Everyone makes mistakes and I know of a LOT of guys who push the limits a little too tight for comfort.
Alcoholism is a disease and should be treated as such. A hard rap on the knuckles with a strict monitoring of a rehab program should hopefully set straight most guys. However, if it reoccurs then obviously the poor chap is in the wrong industry and will be (and should be) shown out the door.
Alcoholism is a disease and should be treated as such. A hard rap on the knuckles with a strict monitoring of a rehab program should hopefully set straight most guys. However, if it reoccurs then obviously the poor chap is in the wrong industry and will be (and should be) shown out the door.
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what? it is okay to have someone fly drunk and crash when it is totally preventable. there should be no tolerance for this. Same thing as knowingly taking off with a bad engine.
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Drink & Drive on the roads of India is bad enough, to allow Drink & Fly' due to shortage of experienced pilots is absolutely irresponsible. Many experienced Pilots were given short notice and sent home by the King of Bad Times.........Oooops or was it Good times? And today you have inexperienced drunk Pilots in the air ? Passengers would love this story for sure !
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Every time You report for Duty in India you are subject to a test with a Doctor. Keeps him on a Job and the Air safer.... So what is that all about? I see nothing changed there. In other Countries it is random, in India the test is before every flight.
Fly safe and land happy
NG
Fly safe and land happy
NG
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Maybe each airline different but my airline.........maybe alcohol test ten percent of the time. Almost never when the report is five am and you would think that is when it is needed most.
