Pilots drinking within 8 hours of departure?

[flathead]

TC has an 8 hour rule.
and I know some airlines extend that rule further to their own hours.

My question is, if a pilot were caught within the 8 hours drinking and then he operated the next day, under what grounds could he possibly still have a job if he was caught?

Surely the "I have an alcohol problem and need/agree to go to rehab if I can keep my job" wouldn't work after breaking the TC rule, would it?

I know of a pilot, who was reported by 2 different people for drinking within 8 hours of his operating flight the next day, which he DID operate, who miraculously is still employed by the company and still flies.

How does this work?

[yycflyguy]

Most of the time it is not the fact that guys have a drink within the 8, or with the case of Air Canada, 12 hour rule. Most of the problems arise when guys have a few drinks and their bodies haven't had enough time to eliminate the BAC to below 2mg per ml, even respecting the 8 (or 12) hour rule. If your "friend" is known to blatantly drink 8 hours before a flight I suggest that he/she may have a problem and should seek professional help.

[Donald]

I think the question being asked is:

My question is, if a pilot were caught within the 8 hours drinking and then he operated the next day, under what grounds could he possibly still have a job if he was caught?

I think the answer you are looking for is:

If the drunk pilot admits they have a problem, and seeks counselling for it, then it becomes a medical issue. It would be more difficult to terminate an employee with a medical condition, that they have admitted to, than just a drunk. If the person were to deny that they had a problem, then they would be terminated instantly.

Do I agree with this concept? No.

[pilotbzh]

How about

AA.org
Boaf.org

[mattedfred]

If the drunk pilot admits they have a problem, and seeks counselling for it, then it becomes a medical issue. It would be more difficult to terminate an employee with a medical condition, that they have admitted to, than just a drunk. If the person were to deny that they had a problem, then they would be terminated instantly.

Do I agree with this concept? No.

so you disagree that alcoholism is a disease or are you saying that not all pilots that get caught over the limit are alcoholics?

[AME 283]

In today's society we do not allow drunk drivers on the road (and they may have health issues) do we really want impaired pilots ??

[Pratt]

I think the question being asked is:

My question is, if a pilot were caught within the 8 hours drinking and then he operated the next day, under what grounds could he possibly still have a job if he was caught?

I think the answer you are looking for is:

If the drunk pilot admits they have a problem, and seeks counselling for it, then it becomes a medical issue. It would be more difficult to terminate an employee with a medical condition, that they have admitted to, than just a drunk. If the person were to deny that they had a problem, then they would be terminated instantly.

Do I agree with this concept? No.

I think Donald has the right idea and interpretation.

[Changes in Latitudes]

I'd say that if you can't put down the drink 8 hours before operating an aircraft, then that would qualify as "having a problem" and something requiring help.

[flathead]

Years ago, my company fired a pilot who had broken the 8 hour rule.
Rumor had it that he fought back, but was unsuccessful because he operated first, and was THEN caught later. Apparently if he had admitted to having a "problem" prior to operating, then he would still have a job there.

That must have been a rumor though?

The pilot I know who was reported did the exact same thing. Drank when he wasn't supposed to, breaking not only company rules but the TC rules, and operated a flight that next morning. He was turned in by 2 different people who were present at the time of his infraction, yet retained his job.

As a lonely FA for this company, I dont know much about pilot politics, but I am confused and just don't understand how he could still be employed after such a dangerous, black and white infraction

[mattedfred]

you must work for a canadian company

we tend not to fire people with disabilities

alcoholism is a disease

as long as the employee participates in a treatment program then they tend to keep their jobs

some employers understand this and are very progressive when it comes to substance abuse

ACJ, AC and WJ are examples of such employers

[sarg]

Years ago, my company fired a pilot who had broken the 8 hour rule.
Rumor had it that he fought back, but was unsuccessful because he operated first, and was THEN caught later. Apparently if he had admitted to having a "problem" prior to operating, then he would still have a job there.

That must have been a rumor though?

The pilot I know who was reported did the exact same thing. Drank when he wasn't supposed to, breaking not only company rules but the TC rules, and operated a flight that next morning. He was turned in by 2 different people who were present at the time of his infraction, yet retained his job.

As a lonely FA for this company, I dont know much about pilot politics, but I am confused and just don't understand how he could still be employed after such a dangerous, black and white infraction

You also need proof, 2 people present saying there was an infraction doesn't make it true. You need some documented proof, creditcard statement or bar tab similar proof.

Another thought for you is, if the 2 people present were sure that an infraction of the rules was taking place they're guilty of let a crew member operate an aircraft when they were not fit to do so. Yes, it takes some personal strength to stand up and say to someone you're not fit to operate but that's the way it's suppose to work.

[Gumby]

What happened to being stupid? Not everyone who drinks inside of the 8, 12, or whatever hours has a disease.

Just cause this is Canada doesn't mean everybody should get a freebee from loosing his/her job under these circumstances. They should be so lucky to have loopholes in the system.

Hit the highway, drunk.

[Captain Crunch]

what about the guy who shows up at work to act as a crew member, throws up, braggs about it to all that will listen, throws up again, braggs some more, and then changes his story once TC is involved????

[Disco Stu]

what about the guy who shows up at work to act as a crew member, throws up, braggs about it to all that will listen, throws up again, braggs some more, and then changes his story once TC is involved????

What about the guy who flew with said pilot and didn't say anything about it until after? Wouldn't he be complicit as well?

[Captain Crunch]

he admitted his responsibility in the entire situation to TC and the company... i guess they thought the other guy screwed up worse...

[Floats]

Its been a while since Ive had my nose in the books.

isnt the actual law, 0% blood alcohol and that the 8 hour rule is merely a guideline, or company SOP in some cases?