Of course, the 4,300 pilots that underwent rehab should be credited for getting treated for the disease, so we can set them aside.

As far as the pilots that actually endangered cockpits by showing up to work drunk, I don't think it's very different, and it's potentially more criminal. We can't advocate high levels of professionalism, and blindly protect those who transgress what should be sacred in our profession. So I think you have to address these issues case-by-case, with an open (but critical) mind. Some the pilots busted were out of their minds, and are nowehere near a commercial cockpit as a result. A few were caught in the difference between regulations of different countries, or flirting with some of the limits of our own regulations. IOW, they might have thought they were in compliance, but they don't walk around with breathalizers to check. I think these are the cases where some were rehabilitated, as every case revolves on its' own merits, ad as each person is entitled to due process.

So is Slater.

It's just that his actions don't appear to put him anywhere near the borderline, or the "rehab" category. Surely, he needs some help to function well in society, and also for his own welfare. But my opinion is that we don't need that help to be directed towards getting him back to his F/A job.