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Drunk American Airlines pilot blames "strong European beer"
The career of distinguished Amercian Airlines pilot Joseph Crites came to a screeching halt last May, when he was removed from his plane at Heathrow airport, a mere 15 minutes before departure, when local police smelled alcohol on his breath.Staff on his Chicago bound flight had alerted the police, and an initial breathalyzer test showed a 37mg/100ml reading - when the maximum reading for being allowed to fly a plane is 9mg/100ml.
On Friday, Mr. Crites was sentenced in a UK court, and was handed a £1,500 fine, plus £300 in court costs. The normal sentence is jail time, but Mr. Crites had a spotless record, and the court received glowing references from his colleagues.
During the trial, the pilot put the blame on the "unknown European beers" he had consumed, and claimed they must have been "stronger than he normally drinks".
He had his last drink before arriving back at his hotel at 11:30pm the night before, and it takes quite a decent amount of booze to reach his blood alcohol levels.
It is very sad to see such an impressive career come to an end over a couple of beers, but someone with his experience should have known better.
More stories of booze gone bad in the skies
Filed under: Europe, United Kingdom, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
michael Aug 18th 2009 3:57AM
well, for the safety of the passengers all planes should have interlock devices that pilots must blow into, like drives who have been convicted of a dwi, and if the pilot blows and it detects alcohol then it should set off a alarm and shut the plane down.
Dox Aug 18th 2009 5:12AM
Why is everyone assuming this guy is an alcoholic? Just because he blew higher than the legal limit he is an alcoholic? Let's then all own up to that one at one time or another in our lives and that would make us all alcoholics. Yes, he did wrong. And he will live with it. But that does not label him an alcoholic
ER Aug 18th 2009 5:17AM
NO ONE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING- HE MUST HAVE BEEN DRINKING ALL NIGHT FOR THE CREW TO CALL THE POLICE- YES HE SHOULD HAVE RECD JAIL TIME AND SHOULD HV PLEADED GUILTY IN THE FIRST PLACE
ALCOHOLISM IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AMONG PILOTS
ALTHOUGH FEW WILL ADMIT IT
Kim Aug 18th 2009 5:51AM
Just a shame that he has now lost his job , probably his pension (hopefully not) and has been publicly humilated. but thank god that is all he has lost. We all make mistakes, this man also, he probably did think he would be OK in the morning, and when he wasnt he needed to call off sick!! I am sure its difficult and he would get something severe, but I bet it wouldnt have been this severe.
jackrabbitslim Aug 18th 2009 5:53AM
Shuuda wudda cudda.
Savanah Aug 18th 2009 10:41AM
I think if you are a pilot you should not drink while on the job, its probably tough enough flying a plane sober let alone have a few beers under your belt, come on buddy retire already before you kill innocent people.
bob Aug 18th 2009 10:50AM
Those dam English...........i am only fat because those ENGLISH MUFFINS had so many hidden calories.
RJAMESS Aug 18th 2009 11:35AM
Once again a spotless and commendable career is in ruins because of drinking. This pilot was very lucky not to go to jail; maybe he will think twice before drinking agin, no matter what he does.
When are people going to see tha harm drinking brings to loved ones and the community in general? Drink has to be one of man's greatest millstones.
David Aug 18th 2009 11:43AM
See its comments like that...they get us nowhere in the world. Not only is the difference of alcohol content not the cause of being 4x over the limit, it just makes us look bad. Thanks a lot pilot
rstaiconsulting Aug 18th 2009 11:52AM
WHY was this pilot drinking beer before a flight anyway????? The guy is either stupid and/or an alcoholic and shouldn't be flying a plane. I don't care if this jerk has a spotless flying record because it only takes ONE accident to ruin everyone else's life. GROUND this PUNK!!!!!
EmilyM Aug 18th 2009 12:54PM
What ever happened to personal responsibility? If you're due to pilot an airplane the very next day, why would you even drink at all? It doesn't matter if he thought the beer was stronger than he normally consumes. He shouldn't have been drinking at all.
Laur Aug 18th 2009 1:01PM
It's beyond me as to why this man had the need to drink alcohol before flight- unbelievable!
vern Aug 18th 2009 1:12PM
Must have been stronger????? Who are you trying to kid? If you are a drinker, and you travel to other countries, you know very well what the alcohol content is, don't try BS us you lush. They should fire his ass.
David Aug 18th 2009 1:20PM
Sack the drunken fool !!
RICHARD Aug 18th 2009 1:51PM
USAF REGS IS 12 HOURS BOTTLE TO THROTTLE AND NO SMOKING W/IN 50 FEET, THE JOKE USED TO BE NO DRINKING W/IN 50 FEET, AND WHEN WE LANDED WE DID CHOCKS IN THE BLOCK AND PASS THE CREW BOTTLE OF ROT GUT SO WE COULDNT BE TAGGED TO FLY AGAIN.
Ron Aug 18th 2009 1:56PM
LEGION..... Before you go calling someone an old fool, maybe you need to go back to school and learn how to write and spell. If you do not see what is wrong with you statement take it to any 5th grader, I am sure they can spot the errors. Talk about being a fool and ignorant to boot....
cat Aug 18th 2009 2:02PM
On a recent flight we encountered two pilots on board (as passengers), this was a Continental International Flight. Not only did they both become drunk as skunks and obnoxious, other people had their seats changed to make these two comfortable. Very poor behavior for the public to witness. Makes one wonder how sober their pilots are on a daily basis.
Bev Aug 18th 2009 2:37PM
This pilot, I dont care how good his previous record was, should have been thrown in jail. NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE that is piloting an aircraft should be drinking the night before. If crashed what would he tell the family of deceased passengers = sorry, its the european beer's fault. That is the lamest excuse I have every heard for a person that is has many lives in his hand to think that someone will put up with that. He should be ashamed of himself for he gives pilots a bad name