All My Children Discussion Group

Topic: Pilot failed a breath test shortly before take off....

LONDON - A United Airlines pilot who failed a breath test shortly before he was due to take off has been charged with having too much alcohol in his system, British police said.

Erwin Vermont Washington, 51, is the third U.S. pilot in 13 months to be arrested for being over the strict alcohol limits imposed on airline staff.

Washington was arrested after officers were called to United Airlines Flight 949, which was already full of passengers and due to leave London's Heathrow Airport just after noon on Monday.

Angela...i wish i could say im shocked by this sort of thing these days. Im sad im not.

chris

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Chris..I agree... That is scary. I have always been concerned with engine problems now I have to worry if the pilot went for happy hour b/f we took off??..Angela

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Posted by: ingyandbert
Date posted: Wed Nov 11 17:10:29 2009
Message:
I saw that on the news this morning.  An airline consultant was being interviewed and was asked why they don't just install breathalizers on all airplanes.  His answer was that the idea is viewed as ''insulting to the pilots.''  So, in other words, the pilots' pride is worth more than the lives of their passengers.  What a stupid excuse.

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ingyandbert..When I saw this story this morning..I was like what is going on!!..I think whatever it takes to makes sure pilots are able to fly should be enforced..I heard he was suspeneded? Why wasn't he fired?.Does it read in their contracts that they just get suspended until they have an invesitgation? ../Angela

Quite possibly they have to wait for the charges to be proven through the legal process before he can be fired. ~i&b

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Posted by: izi
Date posted: Wed Nov 11 15:26:52 2009
Message:
I'm glad they got him.

Replies: (list all replies)

me too izi.. I am so glad the crew caught him b/f something horrible could happen./Angela

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