gettinbumped

While I agree that alcoholism is a disease, there are many diseases that disqualify you from being a pilot. I firmly believe this should be one of them. Tough stance, but the responsibilities of this profession are what they are. I hope this person gets the help he needs. I also hope that he never sets foot in the cockpit again.

Timbo

The disease usually manifests long after you get the job, assuming you were hired in your 20's, only after a thousand lonely nights in motels...so how are you going to prevent someone from getting the job if they have not shown symptoms until they are in their 40's?

Drums4life

I'm curious if any of the other crew members noticed anything? You'd think they would have if some TSA agent did just passing by. If they knew anything and did not do anything about it they should be held just as responsible.

UPTme

I'm sorry, I'm confused by your double triple non-un-negative in CAPS.

Tartan Army

I've long been a proponent of required breathalyzer tests at security checkpoints for all airline personnel. It's not just a problem with pilots and alcohol consumption, I've seen many a FA with the problem and had a ramper push me me back from the gate that was slurring something awful over the headset.

If we are to ever full regain passengers' trust in our profession and once and for all remove the black cloud of the "drunk pilot" at the airport lounge, we need to take a hardline approach to the subject. Require anyone checking in for work for the day (whether ramper, FA, or pilot) to blow in a breathalyzer at the security checkpoint. If you blow over the .04, you're pulled instantly. I'm sorry, I'd rather hurt a few feelings and take the extra 30-seconds to blow than be on a plane with a person who is intoxicated and may not be able to function to the best of their abilities should an issue arise.

I'm sure this method will be met with strong resistance, but really how hard is it to not drink before having to fly? Hell, I don't even have a drink on layovers because I don't want to exacerbate the public perception of the drunk pilot. I'll save my drinking for when I'm at home watching the game.

FlyJSH

You should go to an open AA meeting sometime. Listen to some of the stories. You might get a better understanding of the disease.

Every alcoholic thought he had alcohol under control. Some of the more "proficient" alcoholics are able to hide their use and can appear quite sober while being under the influence. That ability only helps reinforce their belief they are okay ("if nobody calls me out, I must be fine"). Most only realized they had a problem after they hit rock bottom (whatever their particular bottom was).


Thankfully, his 8th step won't include any next-of-kin.

atpwannabe

I haven't read the book, but I will though. I'm certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that his experience, strength & hope is an encouragement to others; especially for those in this line of work that admit they have a problem. Below is a link to a story entitled "Grounded". It was an icebreaker for me.

http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_t...earlyall11.pdf


Now that's shooting straight from the hip!!! Well said.



That's what I'm talking about. He can recover! All he really needs to understand is....."how it works"



atp

captain beefy

It's called denial. To a "normal" person their behavior seems crazy. To them it seems normal and not drinking in excess. Often times, the person with the problem is the last to find out they have a problem as the family and friends knew long ago. Denial is very powerful and is not limited to people who suffer from addiction.

And don't worry about you not "buying" it. The FAA, Airlines and modern medicine already "bought" it and have been/are helping people. It is on the list of diseases/disorders that can be treated and given a special issuance medical.

Chances are if you fly for an airline, you have already flown with them and probably had no idea that they ever even had an addiction problem, which means the program is working.

Here's a fun little fact. About 12% of Americans suffer from alcoholism. That's about 2.8 million people. I know you will be understanding if/when you encounter an alcoholic friend or family member...
Alcoholism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Behavior Patterns of Denial
Family, friends and employers notice changes in the behavior of an alcoholic or addict long before the person with the disease does. This is the first indicator that someone is in denial about their disease. Tragically, as it progresses, the individual barely notices the changes and deterioration because they happen gradually, day after day and seem normal to the sufferer.

Typical behaviors include, but are not limited to: being late to work, inability to hold a job, getting arrested, ending relationships when people criticize their drinking or using, spending rent money on drugs or alcohol, not keeping commitments, driving under the influence, poor personal hygiene, frequenting dangerous neighborhoods, and living on the street.

Again, the alcoholic or addict does not notice or pretends not to notice that these behaviors are related to their substance abuse, when clearly they are.

Denial: Why Alcoholics and Drug Addicts Think it is OK to Drink and Use Drugs | Recovery First

RhinoPherret

Why sure. Let’s all give the guy a pat on the back for stepping into the cockpit under the influence of alcohol. He had no clue he had been drinking or that he might be under the influence of alcohol, right?

I can recognize symptoms of diseases/illnesses such as a headache, a cold, or other symptoms. There are some tell tale symptoms/signs after all with any illness/disease. He made the decision to deny his signs/symptoms.

IMHO: Choosing to ignore your illness or its symptoms/signs is no excuse period! Especially when lives are a t stake!

aa73

I'm not saying it's an excuse. I'm just saying there are many, many cases with alcoholics whereby they don't realize they've drank as much as they have, and don't believe they are under the influence. Denial is a very pronounced symptom of alcoholism. This is what happened with Joe Balzer: in his book he acknowledges that he drank a few beers but there was no way he believed he was even close to the limit. In fact he NEVER believed he was an alcoholic.

If you've never been an alcoholic, it's very easy to say "just quit" and criticize. Instead of doing that, put yourselves in their shoes for a minute and try and visualize the denial that would exist.

Again - I'm not excusing this pilot's behavior. Rather, I'm using what I've learned about the disease of alcoholism and providing a possible explanation as to why maybe he didn't recognize that he was over the limit.