United Pilot Arrested Before Flying Drunk to Chicago
United Airlines pilot arrested in London for being "under the influence"
By NICOLA ORICHUIA
Updated 12:35 PM CST, Wed, Nov 11, 2009
One for the tarmac?
A United Airlines pilot nearly got behind the wheel of a Chicago-bound plane even though he was soused.
More than 100 United Airlines passengers were about to take off from Heathrow Airport on a flight to Chicago when they were told their plane was delayed because the pilot was “sick."
Turns out the 51-year-old pilot was drunk.
London Metropolitan Police arrested him on “suspicion of exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit,” the U.K.’s Independent reports.
The arrest prompted United to issue a statement saying “[s]afety is our highest priority and the pilot has been removed from service while we cooperate with the authorities and conduct a full investigation.”
This is the second episode of drunken pilots departing from Heathrow in the last six months.
In May, an American Airlines pilot failed a breathalyzer test just before taking off from Heathrow for ... you guessed it, Chicago. During that incident, 204 passengers on board had to wait for a replacement to be found.
First Published: Nov 10, 2009 11:33 AM CST
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