Well -- the cameras cannot prove what you were drinking. The rest of the post is spot on. My biggest "concern" would be a passenger at the gate or on the van saying, "Hey, didn't I see you at the bar last night?" even though I didn't break a single reg or company policy. That'll open a big can of worms, right there.

If you blow into a breathalyzer right after gargling, it's going to show you having a BAC that would kill a horse.

15-20 mins later it's going to show 0.00 (unless, of course...........).

But the bartender can ;)

You make a fine point. It would be your word against his. With this type of administrative law -- and with an accusation -- you are guilty until proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt.

Amen - way too many weirdos in the world and everyone's got a camera today.

Times 1000 stopping by Duty Free to save a couple bucks.

Work is work. Time off is time off.

My camera point was more directed to the new guys coming on board and behavior that gets one noticed. Agreed that it means nothing absent blood/breathlyzer testing.

For probation guys, here's a summary on how not to do it: A Probie runs downstairs to the bar at his Caribbean casino layover after checking in. The bar is stacked with hot babes without hubbys or dates. To our intrepid aviator's surprise, he meets a really hot, nice girl that's into him. True love. She even agrees to go up to his room. Right after the door closes, his "new love" discloses that she is a professional and wants payment before anything goes farther. Shocked and disgusted that his new love was only in it for the $$$, he goes down to the bar again and amaziningly, finds a new love. Back to the room and again, complete shock that it wasn't love.

Guy did this 3 times at least and couldn't quite figure it out. Actually caused a "scene" at the bar.

The problem: Generally speaking, south of the border, there is a "business" relationship regarding rent space for females in bars. Most of the time, the "management" of said females is probably a rather nasty group of people. Once any move to private quarters happens, payment is expected.

My guess is payment was expected, somebody had to pay, probably the hotel/bar, and they were ****ed. This is probably how the casino bar camera tapes along with the room key time stamps were sent by the country General Manager to the Chief Pilots office, especially the time stamps of our "looking for love" pilot saddling up to the bar less than 8 hours before flight. I didn't think you could ever get a Latin American hotel/casino to rat out a customer. This guy found a way.

Another guy danced for hours with a "girl" down south at some nightclub. Apparently it took her "off the market" for hours while dancing/drinking. He was shocked of course that she wanted paid. He says "no way" and tries to leave the club at 4 am. "Management" (some unsavory types), has their "Human Resources/accounts receivable department" put the guy in a hospital in exchange for account closeout.

The line is pretty easy to walk if you have half a brain. Then again, there are nearly 10,000 of us. ;)

As for pax witnessing drinking night before. No concern or worry even on some island if within reasonable limits. Company most likely won't care either unless some major proof of stupidity like wearing pilot hat while drinking a 6 pack through a funnel :D

1. Never have more than 2 beers at the hotel you layover at.
2. Always pay cash anytime having more than 2, regardless of layover length.
3. Don't invite the FA's unless you are prepared to pay for the most expensive drinks on the menu.

Yup, you got it.

Shouldn't even be an issue for those acting responsibly. I usually don't even drink on anything less than a 12 hour layover and sometimes (depending on the circumstances) even on longer ones (it frequently screws up my sleep). Don't get me wrong, I like a glass or two of cold Pinot Grigio, assorted micro brews and the occasional crisp gin and tonic (with Rose's lime juice, of course :o) as much as the next guy, but I play it very conservative with respect to duty.

If you're worrying about flying under the .02 limit, you're probably walking on the edge where you shouldn't be. Playing with fire (or firewater) and getting nabbed for whatever cockamamie reason but blowing a .015% and squeaking by is NOT a victory, it's an indication your judgment is in the wrong place.

Inviting FAs = paying for their drinks?? What if I'm not trying to get in their granny panties? Buy your own GD drinks!

Some of us learned this the hard way.