SWAjet

{A breathalyzer test given to Fulton an hour after he was taken off the plane showed his blood-alcohol level was .039 percent; a second test registered .038 percent, according to court records. }

Just barely it looks. Not a good amount in the bloodstream to have, though, prior to operating a load of pax. My opinion only.

FlyerJosh

Legal at the time of the test, however if he blew a .039 an hour later, odds are that he was over the limit while on the aircraft. If the numbers are true, I would say we'll see a prosecution over this one.

Intent (to fly) will certainly come into play (just like it did for the America West guys down in FL).

SWAjet

You're right, especially on the fact that he had to have been over .039 an hour earlier at the plane.

satpak77

ain't gonna happen

see

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthr...98#post1053598

FlyerJosh

What is southwests policy on alcohol? I know that some carriers have published .00 policies in their FOMs- if that's the case with SWA, the FAA still has the capability of at least violating the guy. Either way, I would say that this was probably a career stifling move. At the very least, it's going to put a LOT of scrutiny on this pilot (which in my opinion is justified).

As far as the .39, I can bet you that somebody out there that wants to make another example of this guy will figure out some way to get this prosecution to court. After that, it's up to the defense team to get it thrown out.

CargoBob

Agree the guy is f_cked...but he did it to himself! It is not too hard to call in sick!!!

Your Opinion???
I overheard another airline crew discussing(paraphrasing big time): Herb sets a good example to the rest of the company--drunk on a Harley--obviously he is not flying 120 souls around but the entire culture at SWA seems to be a big party:
-cheap alcohol drinks negotiated into hotel contracts for crew...alcohol is specifically negotiated, aside from the typical 10% hotel rest. disc.

-AA gives everyone at AA center for Mavs game a "free" airline ticket...subject to 5 pages of small print. SWA comes back and gives free alcohol vouchers on SWA flights to all fans. (I'd rather have the drinks!)

--recent SWA pilot retiree rents SWA 737 for his retirement flight and has an airborn Animal House road trip...he flew sober to XXX then was replaced by designated pilot and got smashed on the return.

These guys mentioned a few other things...I'm not sure what to think? Are they true??

I happen to like the culture and I would like to think pilots have the personal responsibility to know when to quit...but...

Hunt599

Dont blame the "culture" at SWA for this guys inability to be a responsible ADULT. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your life and your work....just do it responsibly. Not attacking you, but your post is the typical example of the "its not my fault" attitude in this country. There is a time and a place for everything.....unfortunatley for this individual (and every other professional pilot) he over did it and was not acting responsibly.

rickair7777

Prosecuters generally cannot "back interpolate" a BAC reading that is below the limit and say that "it must have been over the limit X hours ago". What they see is what they get.

.039 is legal, unless the guy was physically impaired to the degree that the LEO's could document it via witnesses or videotape.


However, it is highly likely they will get him for the eight hour rule...unless he drank 2 liters of JD excactly eight hours earlier.

LOW FUEL

I’ve been on over-nights where SW crews stay and at the hotel bars they get the 3-2-1-drink rule. $3-mixed drinks, $2- wines, and $1-beers. Better than my free continental breakfast coupon!

Cass

Those guys want TEN bucks just to give your opinion..
Everyone knows that pilot opinions are freely given,
losers