alarkyokie

Figured this news item would fit here...
http://www.bittenandbound.com/2011/0...the-job-video/

STLaviator

Hopefully this does not turn into a trend, similar to controllers sleeping on the job. One was discovered, then next thing ya know there's a dozen other cases over the next few weeks. Let's hope this is an isolated incident.

cardiomd

Saw it on the evening news too. Unfortunately this guy has a big (drinking, now legal) problem. That level is greater than 0.04, assuming an average build guy this is around 2 drinks (1.5 big beers). This is SIX+ hours into his shift, so he very likely was drinking on the job.

If he wasn't drinking on the job, with standard metabolism, he would have had to arrive at the job with level ~0.16, which is eight beers, well above driving limit.

An experienced drinker may be able to mask a level of 0.16 in terms of symptoms but not in terms of smell (even if low smell alcohol used, you would still have an alcohol odor), and other people would likely have known about this. So, he almost certainly sneaked a drink or two during a break.

Probably not a huge safety risk if he didn't get caught for a while ("high functioning" drunk). There are doubtlessly many people in important careers that sneak a drink or two on duty. It is most highly inadvisable, and this guy needs help.

alarkyokie

Even retired controllers?
Airplane makes emergency landing on Montana highway | Great Falls Tribune | greatfallstribune.com