Mature reactions all around...cheerio chaps

* chugging a Corona *

As far as how much this guy had to drink, just put that aside. Here's what I'm confuse about. He probably had a good hour or more from the time he got up to the time he went through security. He had plenty of time to call in sick or find a way to take himself off the trip, but choose not to. Having to explain to your base manager or chief pilot why you didn't report for the flight at an outstation, would be better than what this guy will have to go through.

I guess you don't know the whole story. It was the FA who broke into the fire chief's truck. I had the opportunity to fly with that CA after he completed the HIMS program, along with the FO and FA (on separate occasion) They will tell you what happened. Those charges for the CA and FA were dismissed.

On the other hand if he's an alcoholic he may have felt just fine. Rumor has it he blew just over .04, as in under .05. Doesn't excuse his actions, but I can see the argument as why he wouldn't have called off. He very well might have stopped drinking 8 or more hours before show time as well, but if he's an alcoholic he probably had a lot more to drink than the typical person.

He didn't try to go to work intoxocated, but still went through HIMS?

Did he have a problem or did they make him go through it?

Error in judgment? You're not serious with that blanket statement right?
An error in judgment is not brining enough pairs of underwear on a 5 day trip. An error in judgment is cutting it a little too close to a thunderhead that rattles the cabin a bit more than expected.

I get hopped up on meth, head out to buy some more, plow into your family at a red light...is that still an error in judgment? Do I deserve prayers and empathy that I get the help I need while your wife and kids are in ICU with a tube down their throat?

Addiction is real. Putting on the wings the morning after and willingly reporting to duty with peoples lives as your responsibility isn't an error in judgment. It's absurd anyone could attempt to make a legitimate argument to the contrary.

FWIW, I've made plenty of mistakes in my career, and will make plenty more. Willingly jeopardizing myself, my family, my airline, and the x amount of people in the back of the plane because I decided to show up to work smelling like the bar from the night before will never be one of them.

There are several ways to get into HIMS.

Voluntary referral, ie seeking help. By far the best, no legal ramifications.

Outside referral, ie the company gets word that you may have an issue and requests that you talk to HIMS. This is where other crew come into play, or possibly family members. This is an intervention.

Being caught first. Not good, and no guarantees. You will be fired, but may get your job and certs back eventually.

He never made it to work. He was arrested during the overnight. He has a few incident involving getting drunk on an over night. There was a time he knocked over a Christmas tree in a hotel lobby on an overnight IIRC. This was before the MDT incident. Getting into trouble a few times on an overnight seems to be the reason why he went through HIMS.