sailingfun

Maybe he does not need to be high to enjoy life. Perhaps he has personally experienced how devastating alcohol can be to some families. Maybe he lost a child to a drunk driver. Why would you care if he chooses to be sober?

HuggyU2

Because we are having a discussion on the issue. And he said "I never would" drink. As such, I'm curious and would like to know why.

Plenty of my friends are non-drinkers. Some stopped some time ago, some have never drank.

Knowing his reason will help me understand his point of view. Is this a taboo question to ask?

BTW, sailing... people I know that drink do "not need to be high to enjoy life" either. Be careful: your bias is showing.

busdriver12

This is what strikes me as odd. Not that you have chosen not to drink, plenty of people make that choice, for various reasons. I know many people who don't touch a drop, and that's their business. But your rationale appears to be that if you are going to be a pilot, that you will never have one sip. And that makes zero sense, whatsoever, to apply to other people. Maybe your personal situation is that you (or family members) have addiction issues, and you don't even want to be tempted. But it's an odd generalization to apply this to all pilots.

say again

I agree. Just like he can ask why others like to drink.

busdriver12

I must have missed where he asked that question. He has asked why pilots don't just make it a rule to cut drinking out entirely, and if it is THAT hard to just NOT drink.

But if he had asked that question, I would respond, because I like the taste. A glass or two of good red wine (particularly when free in first class, for us cheap pilots), is a treat that I treasure. Much healthier than a donut, and far fewer calories. I see no reason to deny myself that pleasure. Addiction or overindulgence is not a problem for me.

Now there are many things that are risky to a pilot's health. With a sedentary job, living out of a suitcase, many of us are at risk for gaining more weight than is healthy. Heart disease is an issue. But since I have pretty good genetics, stay fit and my only weight problem is those extra few pounds, I do occasionally indulge in steak, chocolate, and sometimes even pastries. But fitting in with this reasoning, why don't I make it a rule, as long as I'm flying (40 years), to cut this stuff out? Is it so difficult? Many other pilots are having serious health issues, so why can't I just spend my life eating fish, tofu and vegetables? Is it that hard?

However, watching my dad with a lifetime of eating organic, no beef or pork, no alcohol or coffee, no eating out, excessive exercise, a life of enforced deprivation....after all that, he is still struggling to get out of the bed. Maybe he would have enjoyed a beer and a steak after all.

busdriver12

^^Hilarious!

say again

I didn't say he DID, I said he CAN, just like others CAN ask why he doesn't drink. I'm an adult and can make my own decision to drink or not. It's not hard to refrain, but I'm not cutting it out entirely.

Winston

Also:

Haven't you heard? Giving up whiskey, cigars, and women won't make you live any longer, it's just that everyday will FEEL like an eternity.

DP89

And I'm happy to answer. In no way would I try to impose my opinion on others. I apologize if I came off arrogant or holier than thou. I'm a very open minded person and don't care if others drink, most of my friends do.

I've had drinks before and I know how much it can alter my own judgment. No addiction issues (although I know that's a serious problem with a lot of people including a close friend), no legal issues, just a personal choice. So I've made it my goal to give it up. Not a bad thing right? Just like people give up caffeine, candy, smoking, or whatever for different reasons..

It just surprised me knowing that a pilot had a drink close enough to a scheduled flight to where they caught him. That was my reaction and I expressed what my personal choice has been. For those misinterpreting, I hope you understand where I come from now.

*cheers*

DFWEnvoyCRJ

He was known for being a trouble maker and a partier. He was a LCA and sim instructor and had both of those yanked at Colgan. Him and his 2 students falsified sim paperwork and said they did a sim that they never really did so they could go home a day early. One of the students wife was a base admin and when her husband failed his type ride the next time he went to the sim she ratted them out to the base CP. He had a reputation