Read in Atlanta Journal-Constitution that an AA pilot was arrested in Manchester, England on suspicion of being 'drunk'. He was apparently operating a MAN-ORD flight yesterday. Sorry, I could'nt find a link.

When will this ever stop?

 

This is off the PPRUNE site:

FOR RELEASE: Saturday, February 11, 2006




STATEMENT FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES REGARDING ARREST OF CREW MEMBER AT MANCHESTERAIRPORT


American Airlines has confirmed that a crew member for today’s (February 11, 2006) Manchester-Chicago scheduled service was arrested at a security checkpoint by Police at Manchester Airport following suspicions that he was under the influence of alcohol.

The crew member was a relief First Officer who on American Airlines’ flights provides back-up for the two pilots (Captain and First Officer) on sectors of over eight hours duration. He was taken into the custody of Manchester Police and is due to appear in court on Tuesday. An investigation into the circumstances of this event was immediately launched by the airline and no further details of the incident will be released until this is completed.

The flight departed from Manchester at 11:25 a.m. local time with a delay of fifty five minutes and it is planned to make an intermediate technical stop in New York to supplement the original crew. The flight’s arrival into Chicago will be delayed until approximately 3:49 p.m. local time, some two hours and fifty minutes late. American Airlines Flight 55 is operated by a Boeing 767-300 and today carried198 passengers and eleven flight crew.

American Airlines has apologised to all passengers for the inconvenience caused and has made alternative arrangements for those with connecting flights.

Our primary concern is for the safety and comfort of our passengers and crews. American Airlines has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse and holds its employees to the highest standards. Employees at all levels of the company are not allowed to be on duty whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol and regular screening is carried out. Support is available for those employees who seek help for problems with substance abuse.

We hope that this isolated incident is not allowed to detract from the professionalism of American Airlines employees and the tens of thousands of professional aircrew worldwide.

Here's the BBC story:

Pilot arrested amid alcohol fears

The pilot was due to fly from Manchester to Chicago
A pilot was arrested on suspicion of being drunk shortly before his flight from Manchester Airport to Chicago was due to take off.
American Airlines said the 45-year-old pilot, from Ohio, had been arrested as he reported for duty at Manchester Airport on Saturday morning.

He was released on bail pending the results of tests and is to report to Greater Manchester Police on Tuesday.

The airline has begun an internal investigation into the arrest.

The flight left Manchester after a 55 minute delay, at 1125 GMT.

It was due to stop in New York to supplement the original crew.

American Airlines has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse

Airline statement
The Boeing 767-300 was carrying 198 passengers and 11 crew.

The airline said in a statement: "An investigation into the circumstances of this event was immediately launched by the airline.

"American Airlines has apologised to all passengers for the inconvenience caused and has made alternative arrangements for those with connecting flights.

"Our primary concern is for the safety and comfort of our passengers and crews.

"American Airlines has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse and holds its employees to the highest standards.

"Employees at all levels of the company are not allowed to be on duty whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol and regular screening is carried out."

 

for those of you who enjoy chatting up the TSA morons with the rubber gloves, think again. you think they just enjoy your company so much they want to pass the time of day with you? all they want to do is get close enough to smell your breath. i haven't spoken to them since i realized what they were doing.

 

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American Pilot Arrested In UK, Suspected Of Drinking
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February 12, 2006
An American Airlines pilot was arrested in Britain on Saturday on suspicion of being drunk before a scheduled flight to Chicago, the airline said.
Details: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1139711208.html


After viewing several other web sites, it appears that the authorities in MAN have it in for pilots. Also must were found not guilty. Hope this is the case here.

 

Everytime a story like this comes out, Jay Leno will talk about it for weeks to come.

 

I don't understand at all why pilots who work so hard to get that illustrious major airline job flying overseas making a lot of money (a decent amount at least) only to drink and ruin it all. Why in the wolrd would any pilot NOT obey the 8 hour bottle to throttle rule? It makes no sense to me at all.

 

i still giggle when someone mentions america west.

remember when adam carolla and jimmy kimmel dressed up as pilots, went to an aiport, got wasted and talke dto a bunch of people at the bar, and then said "wellp, got a plane to fly" alllll on the man show


hilarious

 

Yeah, that was pretty funny

 

You can faithfully obey the 8-hr rule and STILL be legally intoxicated. It is a matter of professionalism, of moderation and of common sense. There are people out to get you, and you have to toe the line and not give them the satisfaction.

Having said that, alchoholism is a disease, and it is treatable. Poor sap; wish he had sought out help beforehand.

 

mtsupilot09:
I agree with you too, it makes no sense to the sensible person. I'm in the Air Force and something similar happened last year to a three-star general. He was the head attorney for the Air Force, the Judge Advocate General that is. He was having affairs with subordinate members of his staff for years, and it finally caught up to bite him in the a@$. He was forced to retire at a lesser pay grade, still not a bad retirement. Oh well, guess he still had some lead left in his pencil and couldn't resist the arm-candy secretary types. This drunk pilot probably left the local bar on his way to the airport after swooning the ladies with his "I'm a big jet pilot" story. So sad.