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source - United pilot charged with being over alcohol limit - Yahoo! News




LONDON – A United Airlines pilot who was pulled from his trans-Atlantic flight to Chicago shortly before takeoff pleaded guilty Tuesday to being above the alcohol limit for flying a plane.
Erwin Vermont Washington, of Lakewood, Colorado, was removed from United Airlines Flight 949, which was scheduled to fly from London's Heathrow Airport to Chicago in November, after a co-worker suspected him of being drunk.
Prosecutor Kevin Christie said two policemen spoke to Washington about the concerns and performed a breath test especially designed for aviation staff, which he failed. He recorded a reading of 31 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath. The legal limit is nine micrograms.
The flight was canceled and the plane's 124 passengers were put on other flights.
A blood test performed shortly after the breath test also showed that Washington had 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. The limit for pilots is 20 milligrams. the legal limit for driving a car is 80 milligrams.
The 51-year-old pilot pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court near London and was released on unconditional bail. He will be sentenced Feb. 5.
United Airlines said in a statement that the pilot has been removed from service duty during legal proceedings and the company's own investigation.
Washington's lawyer, Chris Humphreys, said the pilot was remorseful.
Referring to similar cases, Humphreys said an American Airlines pilot who recorded a reading of 39 milligrams of alcohol was given a fine last July, Another pilot who had 60 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood was given a suspended sentence.
Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said the maximum sentence for aviation staff being over the legal limit for flying is two years in jail and a fine.

captjns

I'm sure justice shall prevail, and EVW will take required steps get his life in order.

Joe Smith

No offense - I am not addressing the specifics of the case, but anybody who assumes that "justice will prevail" is sadly misinformed, IMHO

captjns

No offence taken.

Point one - The chap was over the limit when tested.

Point two – As a result of point one, he was arrested because he attempted to fly a jet with trusting passengers who paid money with a guaranty of safe passage from point A to point B to be operated by a fully qualified, responsible and medically fit crew.

Point three - He plead guilty to points one and two.

Point four - I'm sure he will graciously accept whatever sentence that is meted by the court.

Now, don’t you find it arrogant that some within our profession feel that company rules, regulations and disciplines do not apply to themselves? Don’t you think it's a slap in the face of those crewmembers that do. Then the questions we get from passengers because of an idiot’s behavior. In the aftermath of the NWA overfly of MSP fiasco, I can’t tell you how many passengers ask me if the battery in my laptop computer will last for the duration of our flight.

Newryflyer

Are you kidding me. The Brits know nothing about Justice. This guy should consider himself lucky he wasn't Irish or he would be serving life right now.

slowplay

Yup, the Irish are world reknowned experts in alcohol abuse!

captjns

Yes Newryflyer... I was being sarcastic. I guess you are either knowlegeable and have first hand experience, ory ou are being sarcastic about the justice system in the UK.

Kingbird87

"Silk" Washington was in my Guard unit. All I can say is that he could and should have had help earlier if "people", ie., commanders had the guts to talk frankly to the man and care about him rather than their own careers. He will be fine in the long run, and I pray for him and his family. The help he is on the road to will bring a life measurably more meaningful than flying a jet.

IluvRNP

He also won't be working for UAL.

TheFly

There is a fine line between righteousness and self-righteousness.