Airports' Strategies To Prevent Drunk Pilots From Flying

Incidents of drunken pilots are very rare, but they do occur. In this article, we will explore the measures in place to prevent drunk pilots from flying, including the role of crew, passengers, and airport staff, as well as the legal consequences for pilots who break the rules. We will also discuss the importance of peer and management evaluation in detecting personal circumstances that could affect safety.

The main defence against drunk pilots is the eyes and ears of crew and passengers

While incidents of drunken pilots are very rare, they do occur. In August 2015, a co-pilot for Latvian airline Air Baltic was sentenced to six months in prison after admitting to drinking whisky and beer. In another incident, two United Airlines pilots were arrested in Glasgow airport on suspicion of drinking before a flight to Newark. In the US, pilots that try or succeed in flying drunk can face up to 15 years in prison.

Cabin crew are encouraged to report any suspected intoxication of a pilot or other crew member

In the case of the Sunwings incident, Calgary police said it had "all the potential for disaster", but checks and balances provided by the watchful crew prevented it. Rigorous peer, management, and regulator evaluation constantly takes place while airline pilots are on duty and that has proven an effective safeguard to detect personal circumstances that could affect safety.

The FAA requires pilots to stop drinking at least eight hours before the flight, or "from bottle to throttle". This standard is also required in Canada and Europe. However, as alcohol affects the body long after it is consumed, the FAA also cautions that hangover symptoms such as a headache, stuffy nose, upset stomach and dizziness can also impair a pilot. The FAA warns pilots that "cold showers, drinking black coffee, or breathing 100% oxygen cannot speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body".

Pilot intoxication can bring criminal charges in the US, where pilots that try or succeed in flying drunk can face up to 15 years in prison.

Passengers can report concerns to cabin crew or airport ground staff

Passengers are encouraged to report any concerns about pilot intoxication to cabin crew or airport ground staff. While incidents of drunken pilots are very rare, they do occur. Passengers are the main defence against drunk pilots, along with the eyes and ears of the crew. Cabin crew are also encouraged to report any suspected intoxication of a pilot or other crew member.

In the US, pilot intoxication can bring criminal charges, with pilots who try or succeed in flying drunk facing up to 15 years in prison. However, some pilots have been known to get off lightly. For example, an American Airlines pilot received a year of probation after pleading no contest to charges that he was drunk in the cockpit.

The FAA requires pilots to stop drinking at least eight hours before a flight, or "from bottle to throttle". This standard is also required in Canada and Europe. However, the FAA also cautions that hangover symptoms such as headaches, stuffy noses, upset stomachs and dizziness can also impair a pilot.

Pilots are required to stop drinking at least eight hours before a flight

The main defence against drunk pilots is the eyes and ears of the crew and passengers. Cabin crew are encouraged to report any suspected intoxication of a pilot or other crew member, and passengers can reach out to cabin or ground staff if they have any concerns.

Despite these measures, incidents of drunken pilots do occur. In August 2015, a co-pilot for Latvian airline Air Baltic was sentenced to six months in prison after admitting to drinking whisky and beer. In August 2022, two United Airlines pilots were arrested in Glasgow airport on suspicion of drinking before a flight to Newark.

Pilot intoxication can bring criminal charges in the US, where pilots that try or succeed in flying drunk can face up to 15 years in prison. However, they can also get off lightly; for example, an American Airlines pilot received a year of probation after pleading no contest to charges that he was drunk in the cockpit.

Pilot intoxication can bring criminal charges in the US

The main defence against drunk pilots is the vigilance of crew and passengers. Cabin crew are encouraged to report any suspected intoxication of a pilot or other crew member, and passengers can reach out to cabin or ground staff if they have any concerns. In one incident, Calgary police said that the "checks and balances" provided by the crew prevented a disaster.

The FAA requires pilots to stop drinking at least eight hours before a flight, or "from bottle to throttle". This standard is also required in Canada and Europe. However, the FAA also warns that hangover symptoms can impair a pilot, and that cold showers, drinking black coffee, or breathing 100% oxygen cannot speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.

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