A Southwest Airlines pilot was removed from duty after he allegedly showed up to work while intoxicated.

Summary

A Southwest Airlines pilot, David Paul Allsop, was removed from the cockpit and arrested for DUI before a flight from Savannah, Georgia, to Chicago.

Authorities reported signs of alcohol impairment, though his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) has not been disclosed.

FAA regulations prohibit pilots from flying within 8 hours of alcohol use or with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.

The incident follows strict FAA rules, including random alcohol testing for pilots.

  • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
    6·
    11 months ago

    Wrong and right.

    In the context of alcohol, you have to notify your substance abuse program before you “get caught”. IOW, if you know you have a drinking problem and call before you check in for duty, you will be removed from flying and placed in the program. You’ll piss people off, but you won’t get fired. If you show up, check in for work, then get caught, you’re fucked. No program for you.

    As far as other mental health issues go, yeah. It can be really, really hard to get treated without jeopardizing your job, which can also be part of the reason why alcohol is such a problem in the industry. Self medicating away a problem. Luckily antidepressants are becoming acceptable.