N9373M

Is there any recourse towards the accuser? Can't make "bomb" jokes in front of TSA. Why not ask the accuser to tag along for the testing just so she is sure you're okay - maybe she'll miss her flight. Sounds like she's the one that's drunk and should be denied boarding.

boilerpilot

Jumpseating on non-company business, I would politely tell her that the joke isn't funny, rather quite serious.

Allegations can be career ending if you're operating the flight because if anything happens (God forbid), you know the media would immediately jump on the "fact" that "there were passengers in the boarding area who had concerns about the pilot's sobriety. The airline involved did not go to any length to determine the pilot's level of intoxication." All it takes is a slow news day.

For that matter, if it's slow enough of a news day, you could get an article even without an incident: "Airline takes off with allegedly drunk pilot. Passengers expressed concerns during boarding, and the only response they received from the pilot was 'don't joke around about that'."

Sure, in the long run you would probably be able to exonerate yourself, but only after being hung, drawn, and quartered in the court of public opinion.

Spoilers

Easy. Go take a breathalyzer test and make a PA saying that this woman acused you for being drunk and that the flight will delayed until this is resolved. Should create some entertainment for the other pax for a couple of hours while you go blow.

BrewMaster

Wow people.

1. Ignore her.

2. Ignore her.

No need to be a drama queen about it. At the most, give her the stink eye, shae your head and go back to eating. You haven't been drinking, nothing to worry about. Period.

flyou11

I thought I remember reading an article where a passenger actually got in trouble for making a remark like that about the crew at one point? Maybe it's just wishful thinking.

If I'm jumpseating (going home) I would explain to her how inappropriate she is being right now. I would then tell her I'm going to get a law enforcement officer to come discuss this allegation with us. I would then walk away, only to come back a few minutes later and just sit somewhere else. I wouldn't ever actually get an officer. It would be just enough to get them worried.

If I'm working the flight I would actually get a LEO (stressing an actual LEO, not the badge carrying, smurf dressing, officer pretending kind) and have them make sure I'm am 100% good and get it on paper. I would then ask the LEO to explain this to her, and scare her as much as possible that she is close to being in trouble. I would then do everything in my power to deny her boarding on my flight. I don't want a passenger that is thinking I'm drunk being on my plane with the potential to cause havoc. Also, it would make me feel better knowing she is having to suffer at least a little.

block30

Man! You got it! When the other pax hear she is making the flight take a delay.... "Victory is mine!". People should think about what they say and know that there are consequences.

But seriously, if someone called me out like that in public, I would get tested.

Bad Brains

This happened to my flight crew here in Europe, we denied the passenger boarding and that was that. Company had no problem with our decision, they were actually glad we did it.

captain152

Get tested. No question.

I've seen WAY too many news reports that are inaccurate and blown out of proportion. At least if it was blown out when I made the decision to get tested she looks like the giant a$$-clown and not me

Never know who may be sitting in/around your gate area when something like that goes down.

EVpilot

I've had a passenger make a drunk remark when I was getting in the cockpit and got my pants hung on the door latch and stumbled trying to get free without ripping my pants. I turned to him and asked him to knock it off. Before I could explain why the pax around him lit into him as they apparently understood the ramifications in that if I had to be pulled from duty to test then they will likely end up with a cx or seriously delayed flight.

In this case it was a joke on his part and I continued the flight. If he had not been making fun or if he had continued past my telling him to knock it off then I would have contacted my chief and removed myself from flight status pending etoh screening.

I do not feel that an accusation can hurt you so long as you are clean. It is not the accusation but rather the positive test that screws you. That being said I would still not fly if the person was serious or if he or she would not knockout off immediately.

usmc-sgt

Because if you fly the trip with a customer who "believes" that you are intoxicated and then voices their concerns to you there may be an issue. They can call any news outlet and give them all their facts on how they were so confident in their assumption and that after voicing their concern you continued to operate the flight.

At this point it will be too late for a test and you would pass anyway but I have a feeling it could cause you a headache or possible suspension pending investigation while it all gets sorted out. Companies do not take this kind of media coverage lightly and will take the necessary steps to ensure their flight was operated according to the rules.

My point being that it doesnt take much of a ripple to make a wave. Me personally, I will not mess around with this. If they have reason to believe I am intoxicated I will get tested to clear my name and then not allow them to fly on my flight (if I am not removed from the trip as a result of the testing delay).