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Pilots arrested for public intoxication and "mooning"
Two Trans States Airline pilots recently got arrested for being drunk and indecent in public. Trans States Airlines is regional feeder airline for United Airlines, US Airways, and American Airlines. The "mooner" Jeffrey Leon Saltis, and his co-pilot Michael Cody Etzel, were arrested after being belligerent in a Mexican restaurant in Alcoa, where they were refused more alcohol. Both were detained and the airline for which they were to fly was informed; the airline is investigating what happened. There are no further updates yet.
There are two counts on which this story is just pathetic:
1) The two pilots arrested for public intoxication had flights the next morning. I'm assuming that there is some form of breath test for pilots before they fly? The rule is that they cannot consume alcohol 8 hours before flying, but how can that be checked? And, if you had a lot to drink, 8 hours later you'd still be hungover -- that's no better than being drunk. A scary thought, eh?
2) The pilot who pulled his pants down and "mooned" motorists on the highway is 43 years old! I really want to believe that men reach a wonderful level of maturity post 40 (if not post 35), but that notion keeps getting axed.
Oh well. I suppose I could live if the airlines just sorted out the way they dealt with the imbeciles they have in important positions.
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Filed under: North America, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pete Oct 7th 2008 4:28PM
..well I guess you get what you pay for! Cry for cheap flights on budget airlines who don't pay their pilots well and see what you get? The public sat by and watched as people like Lorenzo and Icahn decimated Airlines and their employees. Courts overlooked collective bargaining agreements, executives continue to use Bankruptcy as a tool to line their pockets and circumvent pension obligations.
Have you once contacted your elected representative in Congress and expressed support for Airline Pilots whose profession has been plundered? NOW a pilot with 200 hours and a Multi Engine Rating can BUY his own training onto a regional carrier flying RJ's. WHen Pilots were paid and their skills appreciated, at MINIMUM an applicant would need two to three THOUSAND hours of Turbine time just to get an interview.
MOST Majors still have HIGHLY qualified pilots who are exceedingly professional. With the way their pay and pensions have been STOLEN, I would say for what the public pays for a ride, they are getting a DEAL.
Next time, try flying on a MAJOR carrier of repute. Insist your carrier NOT code share with a regional unless that regional has the SAME pilot and maintenance standards. Of course your ticket will cost more.... and you will complain about that also.
Steve Oct 7th 2008 5:12PM
The Author makes two comments:
1. Pilots would be intoxicated for the flight - Whilst not condoning the actions there is no information of when they were supposed to next fly. Yes the minimum time for alcohol consumption is 8 hrs [.04 blood alcohol level] their next rip may have been 28 or 36 hours away? That is like saying no one can party on Saturday as they have work on Monday. This is typical sensationalist press jumping on things without the full facts. For that reason and that reason alone airlines do not detain pilots [under the assumption of intoxication] until they have physically entered the cockpit with the intent to carry out their duties. Drinking in a restaurant is not against the Federal Aviation Regulations. Their are multiple checks in place including random drug and alcohol tests wich must cover 25% of the work force each quarter who are in sensative positions.
2. The second point he mentioned was the age limit of the Captain. The guy clearly shows imaturity, that I have to agree, so how did he become an airline pilot? Simple, the regional airlines have pathetic pay, you simply get what you pay for. The public have very little notion of how much these guys are paid, First Officers typically start around $24,000 to live in some of the most cosmopolitan cities, thus those that are single tend to share apartments [and beds if diferent schedules] to be able to survive. Intersting thought, if a surgeon makes a mistake, one persons life is at risk, if the First Officer or Captain makes a mistake, not only are the souls onboard the aircraft at risk but anyone on the ground. Sobering thought. May be we should have minimum wages for all airline crews to attract professionalism and promote safety. If you pay a chimp peanuts, expect only a chimp!
Safe flying
mark Oct 7th 2008 6:12PM
there is a difference between "regional" and as you put it "budget " airlines........just because an airline is cost affordable doesn't make it any less of an airline. I personally prefer AirTran and Southwest.....the service is better
Mum22 Oct 7th 2008 6:12PM
Can anyone share a really nice story? The first time I flew, I was alone and terrified. I stopped in a Charlotte NC airport bar and bought myself a Bloody Mary, when this really nice guy came and asked if he could sit at an empty chair at my table (the place was packed). I agreed, then proceeded to tell him my fears. He was so sweet, calmed me down telling me how safe air flight was. Just as we were paid and getting ready to leave he said: "Where ya flying to?" I said: "Cleveland." He smiled and patted my hand and said: "Good, I happen to know your pilot and I promise I will get you there safely." We landed after circling for almost two hours on a runway coated with ice, but he did as he promised and I am still breathing! BTW - to this day, I cannot recall if he had alcohol or not, but I really think he did.
jbjg24m Oct 7th 2008 6:27PM
thought that this was funny as hell!!
Steven Oct 7th 2008 7:08PM
Typical poorly detailed story.
Stupid behavior makes news every time.
You get what you pay for.
roger Oct 7th 2008 8:04PM
I always find it amazing how the public looks at certain professions. Airline pilot: well educated, professional, white collar, God fearing family person. Understands on a voluntary basis not to consume alcohol with in " 8 " hours of jumping in the cock pit and flying passengers in a heavy metal tube with wings at 30,000 ft at 500 knots. Truck driver: under educated, non-professional, blue collar.no family,sinful. Cannot be trusted to adhere to the Department of Transportation rule of no consumption of alcohol or prescription drugs for " 24" hours prior to climbing into the drivers seat. Random drug and alcohol tests by employer and 24 hour random tests setup at state run weigh stations. Loss of drivers license and/or termination of employment for refusal to submit.
jennifer Oct 7th 2008 8:30PM
Good it wasn't Roger Findiesien, aka the Christian
pilot with American offering the 'other' cheek hah hah hah
joemurray Oct 7th 2008 8:36PM
Rome is burning....and this is what we worry about?
Mooning is a fun thing....especially at a time when people are literally suiciding because of financial issues.... God Help us All !
Tom Oct 8th 2008 6:31AM
The law is 8 hours but also under a .04. These are max's, most airlines mandate no alcohol for 24 hours before flying.
I'm a pilot and I don't drink anything the day before a flight.
These guys "ain't pilots no mo!"
KAREN Oct 8th 2008 9:41AM
WOOOOO-HOOOOOO BABY !!!!!!!!!....ABOUT TIME WE FINALLY GET TO SEE SOME HOT MENS REARS !!!!
......THEY ARE ALWAYSSSS HAVING STORIES ABOUT WOMEN EXPOSING THEMSELVES, SO ITS ABOUT DAMM TIME THEY HAVE A STORY ABOUT MEN EXPOSING THEMSELVES TOO.......I WISH THEY WOULD SHOW THE PIC .......MMMMMMM......LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!......HAVE MORE STORIES WITH MEN EXPOSING THEMSELVES, SO THE MEN ONLINE CAN SEE HOW US WOMEN FEEL WHEN THEY KEEP HAVING THESE WOMEN EXPOSING THEMSELVES.......BRING ON THE MOONING ALL YOU SEXY MEN !!!!.....UGLIES & FATTIES NEED NOT APPLY !!!!
Mick Oct 8th 2008 10:26AM
What do you expect for $22 an hour. That's about what the First Officer is making.........
Carrie Oct 9th 2008 11:21PM
I live in Maryville ten minutes from McGhee-Tyson and fly out of there for anything I leave for, granted I typically fly United. It still worries me, however, that the restaurant (if it was Mexican, in Alcoa, and near the airport virtually everyone here will know which it was) allowed people to get that sloshed. The restaurant I am thinking of is highly stringent on serving drunken customers, and on the occasions I've been there, asked (courteously but firmly) who was the desi-driver when someone in our party drank.