Eustis

If they are found guilty the two drunken/idiot pilots for American West should be put in prison for LIFE. They should never be allowed to endanger so many lives ever again. Imagine the gall and the disregard for SO MANY other people, passengers in their plane, and on the ground. Two people that incredibly stupid, willing to risk the lives of so many people, imagine what else they are capable of doing? If they’re willing to fly a plane full of people drunk I doubt that they’d think twice about driving their cars in the same or worse condition. UNBELIEVABLE.

Chic Ahgo

Apparently they were willing to risk the lives and fortunes of many families. Hang 'em.

jestintime

A truly stunning example should be set with these two morons (if they’re guilty.)

RnR

Amazing isn't it - one at .08 BAC and the other .0931 - both above the Florida legal limit. AW says they'll be fired if the charges are correct. Think I'll stay off that airline for a good while.

seeing

They'll fire them after their union has them suspended WITH PAY for a couple of years...then there will be the appeals etc. etc. These bozos will probably end up getting paid to sit home and drink for many years to come. And tell me again.,..why are airfares so high?

Nutella

What bothers me, in addition to those two attempting to fly while intoxicated, is that apparently none of the flight crew blew the whistle on them. I would have to think that the crew could tell they were drunk, or at least drinking. Scary to think that there is an unspoken code among them, and that this goes on a lot more often than we think...

Sheila

Whislt I'm getting the picture, could someone fill us non-Stateside types, in please?

Nutella

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/07/02/ame...dui/index.html

Mel

Would it be unconstitutional to have all pilots take breathalizer tests before taking off? What is the greater good, stepping on their rights or the rights of hundreds of paying passengers?<BR><BR>The evening before a flight from Gatwick to Newark about 18 months ago my husband and I were seated next to a really rowdy table of drunk people in an Italian restaurant in the little town nearby. Conversation overheard told us they were pilots and crew. One woman couldn't stand up and there was enough empty wine bottles on the table of 4 to serve the room. It was very late when we left and they were still there.<BR><BR>The next morning (about 7 hours later), who boards our USAirways flight? Yup, all of them. Sober, I'm sure, but I'd have to guess hung-over!

Rex

Although this is a black eye for Columbus (my hometown, the "eastern hub" for America West), I don't think you can impugn the crew. They had probably not encountered the crew. They were stopped by personnel as they were going through security. In fact, I think that their arrests were related to getting into an adversarial confrontation with the security personnel who smelled alcohol on their breath.<BR><BR>I'm not sure there is any relevant alcohol-related charge. It's not illegal to walk through an airport corridor with a blood alcohol level of x or y or z. They didn't commit the crime of operating an aircraft under the influence. I don't know statutes on "intent to operate".<BR><BR>I'm not defending them; just clarifying that - - as in so many situations - - the criminal justice system is a hard "system" to work with.<BR><BR>And it does run counter to American notions of law - - to hand down stiff penalities for intent to cause harm others (or put them at risk to siffer injury) - - "Minority Report" not withstanding.<BR><BR>If we're going to hand down stiff penalties for "operating under the influence" - - wouldn't it apply equally to any motor vehicle operator who shares a highway with a school bus full of children? Should that be a life sentence offense too?<BR><BR>I'm not advocating one answer over another to this and similar questions.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR><BR>

Gretchen

Flight personnel are required not to drink within a certain number of hours--at least 12. These guys are not going to fly for anyone again. And the union isn't going to protect them either. This is 'way too serious.

Gretchen

Rex, the plane was away from the gate with these jerks at the controls. They got into a confrontation with security trying to carry coffee through when the odor of alcohol was detected. By the time the law enforcement got there the plane was on the runway and called back to the gate. They were not arrested for walking while drunk.

Nutella

Oh I'm not blaming the crew, there is no one to blame except those two pilots. I'm just worried that drinking is commonplace and none of the crew would be alarmed by it.

Rex

Thanks, Gretchen. If those details were in the Columbus Dispatch, then it is my fault for not reading more carefully. I read that it stemmed from their tangling with security personnel, and jumoed to conclusions about the "silent conspiracy" issue of the flight crew.<BR><BR>I agree that the entire airline has some explaining to do over this very concerning matter. It would be helpful to know if on board flight crew actually DID provide helpful information to the officials who reigned the aircraft back in.<BR><BR>It would also be interesting to know if controllers or FAA officials intentionally let them pull away from the gate. As a result, they CAN be charged with "operating under the influence". Far more compelling case to prosecute them.<BR><BR>Good idea? or not?<BR><BR>I can see it both ways.<BR>

rex

I just saw Gretchens post, so I won't go into detail, but she's right, they pulled away from the gate, thus they were charged with operating an aircraft - a felony and operating a motor vehicle - a misdemeneanor, while under influence.

gina

Absolutely stunning…shall we form another FOR PROFIT group like MADD, call it something like SAADP (sober Americans against drunken pilots) to have the laws changed? A MISDEMEANOR??? Christ, only in America.

RnR

Rex, you seem intent on down playing this event. Do get the facts, please. Their BACs were above the level for operating a motor vehicle. I have read it's BAC .04 for pilots. It's lower than that for tractor trailer operators.

IMO

A looong time ago,I worked for a doctor that did the eye exams for pilots and they had to come in at various times for urine tests.<BR>Don't they still do that? Like Proffessional athletes,these guys should be tested on a regular basis.Look what happened in NYC when a cop,drinking all night and into the next day did-killed a family of 4,speeding down the street,drunk.<BR>Anyone who has the public's safety in their hands,should be tested daily!For EVERYTHING!

Rex

to RnR:<BR><BR>I am NOT playing down the misdeeds of the pilots. Their felony charges (and presumably convictions) would seem to be the right sized shoe for the foot here.<BR><BR>I am HOPING that there is some explanation for why the flight crew were NOT guilty of the "conspiracy of silence". I don't know what laws apply if they did "say nothing". Morally, I sure HOPE that they did the right thing. The scenario I suggested MIGHT have happened. I simply don't know enough facts at this point.<BR>

Mel

CNN just reported that America West has suspended them WITH PAY pending an investigation of the breath test. If it turns out they were over the limit, they'll be fired.