DRUNK PILOT?

[SKY HIGH]

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/sto...west_pilot.html

Airport police found the Chicago-based pilot in a nearby restroom, where he had removed his uniform jacket and hat, the report said.

The pilot told police that he called in sick for his flight to Orlando, which was departing at the gate next to the St. Louis-bound flight. He denied that he had been drinking, but he did tell officers that he "partied hard (the night before) at the hotel," the report said.

Maisner told 10TV News he doubts the pilot's explanation.

"It's possible he was partying the night before, but it was 4 o'clock in the afternoon when he finally came down," Maisner said. "I don't know. I don't buy it."

A new pilot assumed flight duties and the flight to Orlando departed on time.

According to the FAA, it is up to the airlines to test a pilot for drugs or alcohol. The FAA said that the pilot in question was not tested by Southwest Airlines, Hirsch reported.

 

[Borescope]

This guy dodged a big bullet as far as the gov't is concerned. They should have just canceled the flight with only 23 pax's on it.

 

[WNrforlife]

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/sto...west_pilot.html

Airport police found the Chicago-based pilot in a nearby restroom, where he had removed his uniform jacket and hat, the report said.

The pilot told police that he called in sick for his flight to Orlando, which was departing at the gate next to the St. Louis-bound flight. He denied that he had been drinking, but he did tell officers that he "partied hard (the night before) at the hotel," the report said.

Maisner told 10TV News he doubts the pilot's explanation.

"It's possible he was partying the night before, but it was 4 o'clock in the afternoon when he finally came down," Maisner said. "I don't know. I don't buy it."

A new pilot assumed flight duties and the flight to Orlando departed on time.

According to the FAA, it is up to the airlines to test a pilot for drugs or alcohol. The FAA said that the pilot in question was not tested by Southwest Airlines, Hirsch reported.

Southwest puts pilot on leave
Friday January 9, 4:00 pm ET
By David Koenig, AP Airlines Writer
Southwest puts pilot on leave after he allegedly smelled of alcohol


DALLAS (AP) -- Southwest Airlines Co. says it put a pilot on leave after he allegedly showed up at the airport with alcohol on his breath.
A Southwest spokeswoman said Friday that the pilot was replaced before his flight departed Tuesday afternoon from Columbus, Ohio, bound for Orlando, Fla.

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The airline declined to name the pilot, but airport police identified him as David P. Shook, 45, of Plainfield, Ill.

Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin said the pilot was stopped at a security checkpoint after two travelers alerted Transportation Security Administration screeners to the possibility he had been drinking.

After being confronted, the pilot called in sick and never reported to the gate for takeoff, Harbin said.

Columbus Regional Airport Authority police officers wrote in their report that Shook fled to a bathroom and changed out of his Southwest jacket and hat. He told officers he had called the airline to report being ill and unable to fly.

Police officer Harry Fisher said Shook told him he had not been drinking that day, "but I partied hard last night at the hotel."

The officer said he noticed "the stale stagnant odor" of alcohol while talking to Shook, but saw no indication that he was impaired.

A message left at the number Shook gave police was not immediately returned.

Harbin said TSA and local authorities in Columbus had closed their investigations without pressing charges, and the airline had taken over the case.

"We haven't come to any conclusions," she said.

Harbin said as a matter of routine, the pilot was placed on paid leave until the internal investigation is complete. She declined to say what punishment the pilot might face but said the airline has a zero-tolerance policy against pilots drinking before flights.

Federal regulations prohibit a pilot from operating a plane within eight hours of drinking alcohol and set a blood-alcohol limit of 0.04 percent -- half the alcohol level that is considered legally too drunk to drive a car in many states.

Harbin said the airline found a replacement pilot in Columbus on Tuesday, and the flight to Orlando with 23 passengers aboard took off on time.

Only 23 passengers aboard!! Boy, that really stinks!

 

[autofixer]

Drunk Pilot? The police officer (the trained expert) said the pilot did not appear to be impaired, thus not drunk. He did the correct thing and called off sick after being accused of being "drunk" by untrained passengers.

This is why one should not drink on trips, ever. Too many busy bodies out there, looking to save the world.

 

[mrman]

Why the all caps from the OP? Why so overdramatic?

 

[SKY HIGH]

Drunk Pilot? The police officer (the trained expert) said the pilot did not appear to be impaired, thus not drunk. He did the correct thing and called off sick after being accused of being "drunk" by untrained passengers.

And, please explain why this PILOT didnt take a Breathalyzer to PROVE his innocence? Yet, HE had the time to run into a restroom and change clothes AND, CALL IN SICK!

 

[ClueByFour]

And, please explain why this PILOT didnt take a Breathalyzer to PROVE his innocence? Yet, HE had the time to run into a restroom and change clothes AND, CALL IN SICK!

He's highly TRAINED enough by his union to know not to do that unless forced.

 

[SKY HIGH]

Here in the United States we have a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. It's in a little piece of paper called the Constitution. Perhaps you've heard of it.
The pilot in question does not and should not prove his innocence.
Assuming that he did smell of alcohol then regardless of his incentive he did ultimately did the right thing and called off sick.
As for his comment that he "partied hard" the night before, it's entirely possible that he did and some folks reek of booze 10 to 12 hours after their last drink.

Interesting how YOU defend someone who may have been drinking prior to flying, as suggested in the article. Why go change clothes? Call in sick? Can he refuse testing AFTER he called in sick????.....I think that was his intent.



This pilot had NO problem taking a test:

Television station KTHV in Little Rock reported that the pilot would face no disciplinary action from the airline, which flew him to its St. Louis hub for its own investigation.
A police report said the pilot took a field-sobriety test but initially refused a blood-alcohol test. Hastings said the pilot was later taken to the Pulaski County Jail, where one was performed.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2003/2...lot-alcohol.htm

 

[KCFlyer]

.....I think that was his intent.

Thinking is a presumption of guilt, which as Bob pointed out, under the constitution one has the right to be presumed innocent. Not defending the guy, but what you think only matters if you are on a jury somewhere.

 

[WNjetdoc]

Skyhigh, you and irony go hand in hand.

 

[SKY HIGH]

Skyhigh, you and irony go hand in hand.

........internet etiquette, comment on the post, not the poster.

(god forbid someone criticizes THIS airline)

 

[jaaafa]

........internet etiquette, comment on the post, not the poster.

(god forbid someone criticizes THIS airline)

yall better quit all that fun you swa crews have at the hotels or they are gonna take your bar discounts away. where is the luv