United Pilot Arrested Before Flying Drunk to Chicago
United Airlines pilot arrested in London for being "under the influence"
AP
More than 100 passengers had to be transferred to another flight after a United Airlines pilot was arrested for being drunk.
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.
Posted Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009 - 11:44 AM CST
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