DrMilano

Appears the captain had a few two many departing EDI. Under U.K.’s Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 each passenger would be entitled to $666 from Delta. Figure with the cost of hotel and meals Delta was out close to a $1,000 per passenger if they had to stay overnight if unable to be rerouted via AMS/CDG. I don’t believe DL123 EDI-BOS operated on 6/16/23.

https://news.yahoo.com/amphtml/delta-flight-york-canceled-shortly-193209882.html

https://viewfromthewing.com/delta-flight-cancelled-when-the-captain-was-arrested-for-intoxication-passengers-entitled-to-666-each/

wanderingtheearth

Wow. How drunk must have the pilot have seemed to have been busted by his/her own crew?

DrMilano

I believe it was a UK random drug and alcohol test at the airport—not the crew, but the the crew had to be on the same transportation from the hotel to airport as this was a 763.

ClipperDelta

The UK limit for pilots is particularly stringent, and is half of the US limit. For the UK, it’s 20mg per 100ml (or 0.02% blood alcohol level) whereas it’s 40mg per 100ml in the US.

emma dog

Could easily be one too many from the night before.

Unfortunately, alcohol abuse is common across professions and certain ones (pilots, doctors) are penalized for seeking help. Best wishes for this pilot… hopefully he gets whatever help he needs.

fotographer

sadly.. his career .. might be done... all for a drink or tow

flyerCO

I'd say it depends. Having a lower BAC he might get away with keeping job. (if complied with being under US limit/8hr rule) Also theres medical conditions that can cause false BAC. Of course that can mean loss of medical.

obscure2k

Pilot will immediately lose his Airman's Medical Certificate and be required to go through an intense program of testing, rehab, psychiatric evaluation and monitoring for several years. It is possible for reinstatement within a year but his Class I Medical certificate will be temporary until he gets the green light from the FAA. Also, look at the https://himsprogram.com

spinmeister

Is EC261 still applicable if the UK is no longer in the EC?

flyerCO

The UK copied EC law onto UK books. It is commonly referred to as UK261 nowadays.

ND76

It seems like the local authorities in Scotland aggressively enforce the BAC limit for pilots, as they have arrested a few pilots at EDI and GLA for this.

DrMilano

Follow up to Monday’s hearing in Scotland:

https://www.thenational.scot/news/23...-drink-flying/

HDQDD

At my former airline it was 12hrs. Not clear if that was company policy or FAR. Regardless, you can’t still be over the legal limit when you show up to work, doesn’t matter when you quit hitting the sauce.

stevendorechester

The laws need to be a lot stronger. No crewmember should have any alcohol in their system while operating a flight. This seems to be a mostly North American problem. I've never heard of a pilot flying for one of the Gulf carriers getting arrested for this.

If I was DL managment I would compensate the passengers quite generously and the claim the money back from the pilot IF THE PILOT IS CONVICTED AND AFTER ALL APPEALS. Pilots make quite a lot of money and have homes, cars and huge bank accounts that can be seized, not to mention money in their pension funds.

Passengers should also be allowed to sue the pilot in cases like this for any consequential losses such as missed events or a day off work.

I may seem a little harsh, but its these very rare cases who cast a negative light and are a disgrace to the other 99.999999% of those who work in the airline industry.

flyerCO

I agree. I'm just pointing out if the pilot complied with US rules they likely won't face action against their license. Scotland can take action against him, just question if US can also.