Alaska Air pilot pleads guilty to flying intoxicated

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 6, 2018, 6:24 pm

Skyjumper

Original Poster

Join Date: May 2006

Location: San Francisco, CA

Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold

Posts: 81

Alaska Air pilot pleads guilty to flying intoxicated

He was caught by a random screen at nearly 3 times the legal limit. From the article:

Quote:

The former captain suffered from alcoholism and piloted flights under the influence for “at least a substantial portion” of the 20 years he worked for Alaska Airlines, court documents state.

It is unknown exactly how many flights were involved.

Have to wonder why it took 20 years to be caught.

Quote:

His co-pilot previously told investigators that when Arntson said, “I bet it’s for me,” when he spotted the drug tester approaching.

Feb 6, 2018, 8:06 pm

Join Date: Nov 1999

Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium

Programs: UA 1K MM

Posts: 6,484

737 pilot! How could his copilots over so many years not have detected something?

Feb 6, 2018, 9:24 pm

SpicyMorale

Join Date: Jan 2017

Location: ANC

Posts: 209

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA

737 pilot! How could his copilots over so many years not have detected something?

Pounded a couple during landing? Doesn't make it better lol

Feb 7, 2018, 7:24 am

notquiteaff

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Pacific Northwest

Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...

Posts: 16,838

Link seems broken in OP

Former Alaska Airlines Captain Pleads Guilty to Piloting Passenger Flight to O.C. While Intoxicated | KTLA

wonder what his alcohol level was at the beginning of the day when the first flight took off.

Feb 7, 2018, 8:41 am

rustykettel

Join Date: Oct 2015

Location: Pacific Wonderland

Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred

Posts: 5,336

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA

737 pilot! How could his copilots over so many years not have detected something?

That he wasn't spotted when he first reported for work and did it continuously over the years speaks to a institutional failing of AS' supervision and their safety program.

Feb 7, 2018, 8:43 am

PV_Premier

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.

Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion

Posts: 20,633

well, this article taught me that the legal BAC for pilots is >0.00, which is honestly a bit shocking in and of itself.

notquiteaff and Zorak like this.

Feb 7, 2018, 9:48 am

chefraekwon

Join Date: Nov 2012

Programs: asMVPG

Posts: 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by PV_Premier

well, this article taught me that the legal BAC for pilots is >0.00, which is honestly a bit shocking in and of itself.

Truly terrifying

Feb 7, 2018, 10:01 am

seahawks10177

Join Date: Mar 2017

Location: Anchorage, AK

Programs: MVP Gold

Posts: 215

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefraekwon

Truly terrifying

Couldn't agree more

Feb 7, 2018, 10:06 am

Eastbay1K

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 1999

Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA

Programs: Jumbo mas

Posts: 38,623

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA

737 pilot! How could his copilots over so many years not have detected something?

This was his "normal." The sad fact is that he was probably a better pilot while somewhat under the influence (his "normal") than if he was completely sober during a flight. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms during critical flight ops as opposed to him operating as his "stable" self - if I had to choose one bad option or another, I'd take the "stable" self. This is not excusing anything. He should have never been in front of that locked door, ever. And clearly, he developed the mastery of hiding a serious addiction, which is not uncommon.

A sad story. And he's not the only one.