UnitedExpress pilot indicted for flying drunk
 

DENVER — A pilot for United Express is being accused of flying while drunk on a December 2009 flight from Austin to Denver.
A federal grand jury in Denver indicted 32-year-old Aaron Jason Cope of Norfolk, Va. late Wednesday. He's charged with unlawfully operating and directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol.
The indictment says the incident occurred on a Dec. 8, 2009 United Express flight. Cope was second-in-command, serving as the co-pilot.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, Jeff Dorschner, wouldn't elaborate on if or how much time Cope spent at the controls. A message left for Cope wasn't immediately returned. Federal agents were trying to find him.
He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

SkyWest or Shuttle?

Edit: Looks like Shuttle. http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wa...f.flying.drunk

How dispicable:eek:!

The story makes it sound like his CA turned him in. Interesting...

The media really loves stories like this. Yes, it is a serious issue - but what about all of the other serious issues facing our industry?

What's even more interesting is why it supposedly happened almost a year and a half ago but he's just now being arrested. Was he presumably fired a long time ago but they're just getting around to charges? Because I feel like those America West guys in Miami a few years back were arrested right away.

NOT GUILTY...what did he direct?

Anyway...bad news once again...funny it tool a year and a half to make the news.

It was Shuttle BTW

I'm glad its United's name all over this news and not Shuttle America. You contract with a regional, you're responsible for their actions. Hate it when any bad news just gets buried under the regional's name.

How is this in anyway shape or form United's fault?

Its not directly, its more indirectly. United should be held responsible for their contractors.