Pilot held in cockpit is ‘4 times drink limit’ | The Sun |News

By ANTHONY FRANCE

Published: Today
ARMED cops nicked a boozy pilot at Heathrow yesterday as he was about to take off for Chicago with 300 passengers.
Captain Joseph Crites, 57, was allegedly four times the limit when he was held trying to enter the cockpit of his American Airlines Boeing 777.

The veteran US flier, from Ohio, had been drinking the night before.

Security staff alerted cops when they smelled alcohol on his breath.

Passengers on Flight AA87 were delayed for 1˝ hours until a replacement pilot was found for the 4,900-mile trip.

Cpt Crites was taken to Heathrow nick after failing a breath test. He was bailed until July 16.

American Airlines last night insisted: “The company has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse and holds its employees to the highest standards.”

 

I was ready to jump to his defense on the airport harassment but I think he's done...

State of Ohio vs. Joseph Crites (Ohio 2000) - Ohio Supreme Court - vLex

"second felony DUI and twelfth career DUI."

Hope it was worth it Joe!

 

12 DUI's and an airline captain? uhhh... i suspect we can pin this one on the union? i don't know. how does it happen?

 

Can we be sure that this guy is the same as the pilot, or another guy with the same name.

Joe

 

If in fact this is the same sot, with 12 DUIs under his belt, I’m surprised the FAA has not taken certificate action. Better yet, I would be surprised that AMR had not tried to manage him off the property.

 

Don't think you can blame this or any on the Union. Used to be only employers checked the NDR nat. Drivers Registry. It's the FAA now and perhaps they don't check it often enough.
At AA we had a CA fired for failing to declare two beers in Customs Immigration. On a random Xray screen exiting Customs he was stopped for not declaring 2 beers in his overnight bag. AA security was called and he was terminated.
AA FA's have been terminated for possession of company liquor and under the influence.
I was drug and alcohol tested just two trips ago. I get randomly tested about every 8 months.
Just throwing a little info out here. Yes, unions are supposed to try to help you get "Not fired" for all reasons.
If this CA had 12 prior "If" and they did not happen at work, how would the Union know?
Are you suggesting that Professional Standards division knew?

It is hard to interpret your question on the internet. Or if it is sarcastic.
7576

 

One would figure that given all the attention during the past decade in relation to crews being busted for being under the influence that people would have gotten the message and I have a question and that is if the security people could pick up the alcohol on his breath than why could his F/O not ?
It's a hell of a way to just flush a career and it's sad.

Fred

 

Closer to that magical upgrade.

 

Wait and see. If it is the same man, AMR will can his butt so quick it will make your head swim. If it is not, they will put him in treatment and get him the help he needs. AMR has one of the best HIMS programs out there.
There HIMS Chair is a great guy, and this is one thing that APA and AMR management see eye to eye on.
Either way they will get him the help he needs.

 

Either way he wont be flying for a very long time.. if ever.