Armed airline pilot charged with flying under influence

[question everything]

Armed airline pilot charged with flying under influence

ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 15, 2005

LAS VEGAS – An armed AirTran Airways pilot was charged with operating an aircraft under the influence after a federal screener at McCarran International Airport smelled alcohol, authorities said.

Las Vegas police arrested Oliver Paul Reason Jr., 37, in the cockpit of the AirTran plane shortly after he passed through an airport checkpoint Wednesday night, according to the Transportation Security Administration, police and the airline.

Orlando-based AirTran Holdings Inc. issued a statement saying the airline followed its safety procedures to ensure that the Atlanta-bound aircraft was held at the gate.

"The captain neither took command of the aircraft nor was the aircraft operated in any manner," the airline said.

AirTran apologized to the 60 passengers inconvenienced by the canceled flight and said it is cooperating with authorities.

More..

Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050115/news_1n15pilot.html

[Boomer]

1. You really have to wonder...

You really have to wonder why any sane, reasonable person would engage in such self-destructive behavior.

Now, I'm not a teetotaler -- just had a frozen Marguirita last night at dinner, in fact -- but if my job, my career, and the well-being of an entire plane full of passengers was jeopardized by taking a drink, then I'd stick to coca-colas. So I can't help but think that anyone who takes a drink anyway is an alcoholic. Only a compulsion would explain that level of risk-taking.

Or sheer stupidity.

Either way, I wouldn't want that pilot taking ME up into the air.

[havocmom]

2. One more reason why I think pilots should not carry sidearms

and flight attendents SHOULD.
"Captain, take your drunken paws off the stick and go to the back of the plane. NOW" ;)

[roughandtumble]

4. oh, like cops/federal agents/et al dont drink.

and drive, arrest, testify, work etc...

[havocmom]

5. I know many drink. But few work at 35,000 feet in a pressuized office.

Besides, if they just spent the $$ and made the cabin doors secure, pilots could fly the damned plane instead of worrying about having to be the calvary if trouble was brewing with the passengers.

Flight attendents would be a better line of defense. And I have had to put up with one too many drunk passengers myself. Think how much more peaceful flights could be. ;)

[MindPilot]

3. I don't get it either

Given everything you have to invest to become an airline pilot, why would you you throw it all away with that one irresponsible act?

[amazona]

6. well he isn't sane he has an illness

I hope he experiences a full recovery but clearly in the meantime other measures must be taken to guarantee he doesn't drink and fly.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[WhiteTara]

10. I used to work in an airport termina

and met many airline pilots.  I never met a bigger bunch of
drinkers in my life.  Many flew with hangovers.  The rule is
you can't have a drink 8 hours before you fly.  But boy did
they drink like fish up until the magic number

[karlrschneider]

7. This story sounds bogus to me

It says he was charged with operating an a/c under the influence then later says the plane was never "operated" ...

And there is nothing indicating whether he actually was legally intoxicated, only that some screener "smelled alcohol"...which is a kind of fine point because ethanol doesn't have an odor. You can smell liquor or beer but you can't smell alcohol.

[NYC]

12. I thought I read his blood level yesterday.

.9 or something? .09? They said it was way after he had stopped drinking, but the blood alcohol level was still quite high.

Re operating the aircraft under the influence, I think the charge should have been attempting to operate. He didn't actually do it, even if he intended to. Like attmepted murder for people who intend to murder, but have bad aim.

P.S. I would say I smelled "alcohol" on someone's breath, even if I meant I smelled beer or scotch, etc. Just a misuse of the word.

[Parche]

8. air tran

Now we know why I dont like the idea of armed pilots

[Jack_DeLeon]

13. You dont like armed pilots because...

they might be drunk?

By that same token would you be against all pilots in general because they too might be drunk?

Its most definately possible to cause more deaths flying a plane while drunk than while carrying a firearm while drunk.

[babylonsister]

9. Just goes to show,

whatever happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas. But I'm glad he got caught. I'd rather wait for another pilot than depend on someone drunk or hung over to get me home safely.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

11. Now this makes me feel safe....

not.