Posted: 4/4/2016 9:46:27 PM EDT
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There was a recent news article about a FO at a major having taken a breathalyzer the morning of his flight and failed.
I'm curious about: 1. Are there random checks? 2. What are consequences/options at this point for this guy? |
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Quoted:
Even beyond working for an airline, he might have problems even getting his medical approved now. There is a question on whether you've failed a drug test (ever), for which I think in this case he'd have to check "yes." Mike He won't have to worry about a medical- he isn't gonna have pilot certificate that requires one. |
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I assumed that there would be trouble but didn't realize that it would be an immediate career ender. That's rough. The article didn't mention any specifics so I assumed the guy likely drank the night before and hadn't metabolized it completely. Regardless, it looks like he made a poor decision and now may need to pursue another line of work.
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I'm too lazy to look it up but I am pretty sure there were some airline pilots in the 90's caught flying drunk (like arrested after the plane landed) who eventually got their medicals and certificates back and are now flying for the airlines again. As I recall they had to start at private pilot again and are under additional alcohol scrutiny but still flying.
edit: OK I wasn't too lazy, it was a whole northwest crew.....all 3 drunk at the controls of a 727. The captain did get all of his ratings and medical back and went on to fly 747's. Northwest Airlines Captain Lyle Prouse never thought he'd fly again after being convicted of flying under the influence of alcohol. But he asked for a second chance, re-earned his wings and retired at age 60 from the left seat of a 747. Link here |
Then there was the crew that got fired for flying nekkid  . They got fired, but did get their jobs back because there was no FAA reg violation or anything in the company manual addressing it either.
The company manual now has verbiage giving guidance on minimum cockpit crew attire. 
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Quoted: I'm too lazy to look it up but I am pretty sure there were some airline pilots in the 90's caught flying drunk (like arrested after the plane landed) who eventually got their medicals and certificates back and are now flying for the airlines again. As I recall they had to start at private pilot again and are under additional alcohol scrutiny but still flying. edit: OK I wasn't too lazy, it was a whole northwest crew.....all 3 drunk at the controls of a 727. The captain did get all of his ratings and medical back and went on to fly 747's. Northwest Airlines Captain Lyle Prouse never thought he'd fly again after being convicted of flying under the influence of alcohol. But he asked for a second chance, re-earned his wings and retired at age 60 from the left seat of a 747. Link here Having the FAA determine your flight status is like having your ex-wife determine the future of your penis. It can happen, but the odds ain't good. |
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There have been numerous pilots get busted for drinking and reporting that all went back to work. It's not a definite career ender. Just depends on the specifics, how far the pilot got in the process, and his participation in the HIMS program.
We had a pilot report for duty drunk once. He was detected and pulled aside. He knew he was busted. So instead of waiting to be tested he admitted he was drunk and asked for help. Every single manager and HR rep he encountered on his way to the CP's office he begged for help. When he got into the CP's office he even asked the secretary for help. Due to union participation, the availability of a company sponsored HIMS program, and the pilots willingness to receive treatment he kept his job. HIMS covers any kind of inappropriate, work related, drinking behavior. You don't have to be on duty to find yourself required to attend at risk of losing your job. We had a pilot once get massively drunk on an overnight. He was drinking inside the company 10 hour bottle-to-throttle rule when he got naked in the hotel hallway and did a flying tackle to a fully decorated Christmas tree. He was arrested. He never reported to duty but was told to attend due to inappropriate behavior on an overnight. He kept his job. These stories are not uncommon. There are many participants in HIMS. The vast majority have been mandated to be there. A few just participate because they think it could (and it does) improve their lives even though their substance abuse never directly threatened their jobs. |
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Quoted:
There have been numerous pilots get busted for drinking and reporting that all went back to work. It's not a definite career ender. Just depends on the specifics, how far the pilot got in the process, and his participation in the HIMS program. We had a pilot report for duty drunk once. He was detected and pulled aside. He knew he was busted. So instead of waiting to be tested he admitted he was drunk and asked for help. Every single manager and HR rep he encountered on his way to the CP's office he begged for help. When he got into the CP's office he even asked the secretary for help. Due to union participation, the availability of a company sponsored HIMS program, and the pilots willingness to receive treatment he kept his job. HIMS covers any kind of inappropriate, work related, drinking behavior. You don't have to be on duty to find yourself required to attend at risk of losing your job. We had a pilot once get massively drunk on an overnight. He was drinking inside the company 10 hour bottle-to-throttle rule when he got naked in the hotel hallway and did a flying tackle to a fully decorated Christmas tree. He was arrested. He never reported to duty but was told to attend due to inappropriate behavior on an overnight. He kept his job. These stories are not uncommon. There are many participants in HIMS. The vast majority have been mandated to be there. A few just participate because they think it could (and it does) improve their lives even though their substance abuse never directly threatened their jobs. Very well said. From what I have heard, a lot depends on when the pilot admits that they have a problem. As you might expect, it's better that it happens before you actually report for duty or at least before you actually begin pre-flight functions. A previous poster mentioned an incident that happened in the 90's. My guess is he/she is thinking of a three man Northwest crew that was arrested for flying under the influence. I think this was before HIMS/EAP programs were instituted at airlines. The Captain was stripped of all his ratings, but eventually worked his way back up from square one and got his ATP back. He also lectured about his alcoholism and his road back to flying. I remember seeing a videotape of his lecture when I was on active duty. I took a minute to consult google and the link below is what I found. I have not taken the time to read it as just now, and hope I didn't mischaracterize anything. You can read it for yourself if you like. Take care of yourselves, and each other. Sorry I didn't hot link it...little rusty on the site right now as I have been away for some time. http://www.startribune.com/after-flying-drunk-25-years-ago-northwest-pilot-pitches-recovery-to-alcoholics/335316871/ ETA- I haven't posted in a long time and just realized what my avatar is. No irony intended. 
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Quoted:
Very well said. From what I have heard, a lot depends on when the pilot admits that they have a problem. As you might expect, it's better that it happens before you actually report for duty or at least before you actually begin pre-flight functions. A previous poster mentioned an incident that happened in the 90's. My guess is he/she is thinking of a three man Northwest crew that was arrested for flying under the influence. I think this was before HIMS/EAP programs were instituted at airlines. The Captain was stripped of all his ratings, but eventually worked his way back up from square one and got his ATP back. He also lectured about his alcoholism and his road back to flying. I remember seeing a videotape of his lecture when I was on active duty. I took a minute to consult google and the link below is what I found. I have not taken the time to read it as just now, and hope I didn't mischaracterize anything. You can read it for yourself if you like. Take care of yourselves, and each other. Sorry I didn't hot link it...little rusty on the site right now as I have been away for some time. http://www.startribune.com/after-flying-drunk-25-years-ago-northwest-pilot-pitches-recovery-to-alcoholics/335316871/ ETA- I haven't posted in a long time and just realized what my avatar is. No irony intended.
Quoted:
Quoted:
There have been numerous pilots get busted for drinking and reporting that all went back to work. It's not a definite career ender. Just depends on the specifics, how far the pilot got in the process, and his participation in the HIMS program. We had a pilot report for duty drunk once. He was detected and pulled aside. He knew he was busted. So instead of waiting to be tested he admitted he was drunk and asked for help. Every single manager and HR rep he encountered on his way to the CP's office he begged for help. When he got into the CP's office he even asked the secretary for help. Due to union participation, the availability of a company sponsored HIMS program, and the pilots willingness to receive treatment he kept his job. HIMS covers any kind of inappropriate, work related, drinking behavior. You don't have to be on duty to find yourself required to attend at risk of losing your job. We had a pilot once get massively drunk on an overnight. He was drinking inside the company 10 hour bottle-to-throttle rule when he got naked in the hotel hallway and did a flying tackle to a fully decorated Christmas tree. He was arrested. He never reported to duty but was told to attend due to inappropriate behavior on an overnight. He kept his job. These stories are not uncommon. There are many participants in HIMS. The vast majority have been mandated to be there. A few just participate because they think it could (and it does) improve their lives even though their substance abuse never directly threatened their jobs. Very well said. From what I have heard, a lot depends on when the pilot admits that they have a problem. As you might expect, it's better that it happens before you actually report for duty or at least before you actually begin pre-flight functions. A previous poster mentioned an incident that happened in the 90's. My guess is he/she is thinking of a three man Northwest crew that was arrested for flying under the influence. I think this was before HIMS/EAP programs were instituted at airlines. The Captain was stripped of all his ratings, but eventually worked his way back up from square one and got his ATP back. He also lectured about his alcoholism and his road back to flying. I remember seeing a videotape of his lecture when I was on active duty. I took a minute to consult google and the link below is what I found. I have not taken the time to read it as just now, and hope I didn't mischaracterize anything. You can read it for yourself if you like. Take care of yourselves, and each other. Sorry I didn't hot link it...little rusty on the site right now as I have been away for some time. http://www.startribune.com/after-flying-drunk-25-years-ago-northwest-pilot-pitches-recovery-to-alcoholics/335316871/ ETA- I haven't posted in a long time and just realized what my avatar is. No irony intended.
The FE on that flight is also flying again, for some time now, and has published a book about his ordeal. |