PSA is 12/.02 which for most means if you still have 2 drinks in your system. A drink is considered:
12 oz of beer or wine cooler
8-9 oz. of malt liquor
5 oz. of table wine
3-4 oz. of fortified wine (sherry or port)
2-3 oz. of liqueur, cordial or apertif
1.5 oz. of brandy
1.5 oz. of spirits (whiskey, gin, vodka, etc.)
Most metabolize 1 drink per hour. So math for the FO with .035 (3 drinks) and stopped 10 hours prior to breathalyzer = 13 beers... Food and metabolism plays a variable role, but safe to say he was pushing close to 10 drinks. A good chart at How do you determine your blood alcohol concentration level? | F.T. Sessoms, Minnesota DWI Lawyer and Criminal Defense Attorney

 

Dont worry if he is mormon he will keep his job. I once saw them turn a blind eye to "one of their own" failing criminal check..

 

I don't think Mormons drink alcohol.

 

It knows no bounds....

Mormon senator will seek forgiveness from church for DUI

 

This sounds like a BS termination. This pilot should call his union reps and file a grievance. Oh wait...

 

1. I'm not even sure he's terminated.

2. If he is, it's not a BS termination, it's a legit termination (assuming we have all the facts straight on the forums). Company policy says you can be fired for .02+

3. He should have an opportunity to do HIMS and get his job back. If a union can do better than that, I don't care because I don't want pilots coming to work drunk with no ramifications. From previous union experience, the union will save your job, but only if you're an MEC member or close personal friend thereof.

 

Whenever I am at the bar and people ask what I do, I tell them I transport aluminum tubing..... if they figure out I am a pilot, I tell them I work for SWA, Jetblue or Delta. Always.

 

Yes, heaven forbid someone get terminated for screwing up royally. The only thing ALPA is good at, getting people's job back when they don't deserve it.

 

I'm not sure this would be a B.S. termination. The company will probably want to set an example here. If they don't, they may run the risk of others having the attitude that the rule is not strictly enforeced.

Corporate image is huge here too. Public perception is key and it would be easier to put all the blame on this guy then terminate him than to deal with the consequences of trying to do the right thing.
I would hate to see anyone lose thier job, but when it comes to alcohol and flying, there usually isn't much forgiveness.

I just hope this guy is given the option to resign, then at least he will still have a career and a clean record.

I don't think a union could save the day either. I saw guys get let go for busting the 12 hour rule at my former company. Similar situation in that they didn't break the F.A.R.'s (8 hour) but they did break company policy which was zero tollerance. They were given the option to resign and took it.

 

ALPA is pretty good at keeping jobs. That Eagle capt out of minni the other month is still employed. Hopefully they will be able to help this poor FO out. Oh wait....