Commercial Flying

3930dave · Jan 20, 2018

A question about commercial pilots....

'Drunk' pilot removed from BA plane at Gatwick Airport - BBC News

^ article refers to "......level of alcohol was over the prescribed limit. "

I wasn't aware (ignorance showing) that comm pilots were allowed any BAC reading.

Q) Is there an international acceptable BAC limit for commercial pilots, or is it country/carrier based ?

Obvious exceptions being countries that ban alcohol outright.

Rgds, D.

flyerdan · Jan 20, 2018

The general rule was "12 hours from bottle to throttle", but that was for general aviation forty-some years ago. I'd imagine that 135 ops are a lot more stringent, probably something in the FARs here.
There's a pretty good discussion about this just getting ramped up on PPRuNe, might want to give that a miss unless you really like watching how sausage is made.

Creamer · Jan 20, 2018

FAA regs are still 12 hours from bottle to throttle for all crew members including flight attendants. Violation can be immediate dismissal.

3930dave · Jan 20, 2018

Creamer said:
FAA regs are still 12 hours from bottle to throttle for all crew members including flight attendants. Violation can be immediate dismissal.

One would hope that's enough time to sober up, though I've known a few who would take that as a challenge

Here, you'll get a suspension for blowing .05 on a breathalyzer roadside; I'd like to think that enforcement at airports is at least that strict.

Rgds, D.

Gary Fowler · Jan 20, 2018

Seems I heard that for at least some commercial airline pilots it is 24 hours so basically if they are on duty with a next day turn around it is alcohol and drug free entirely.

PILOON · Jan 21, 2018

In one country DIY on the road also costs U your pilot's ticket.

oosik · Jan 21, 2018

So......nobody can regale us with the specific FAA limits on blood alcohol or, in truth, there are none. WOW!!! Ain't that just grand.

That "throttle to bottle", good 'ol boy quote really gives me a warm fuzzy feeling at 35,000 feet.

Creamer · Jan 21, 2018

oosik said:
So......nobody can regale us with the specific FAA limits on blood alcohol or, in truth, there are none. WOW!!! Ain't that just grand.

That "throttle to bottle", good 'ol boy quote really gives me a warm fuzzy feeling at 35,000 feet.

I previously stated that it is the FAA rule of 12 hours (and of course not being legally intoxicated after those 12 hours). My daughter is a flight attendant and that rule is for all crew members.

Creamer · Jan 21, 2018

PILOON said:
In one country DIY on the road also costs U your pilot's ticket.

I am not sure of the connection between Do-It-Yourself and a pilto's ticket?

aczlan · Jan 21, 2018

Creamer said:
I am not sure of the connection between Do-It-Yourself and a pilto's ticket?

Pretty sure that is supposed to be DUI.

Aaron Z

oosik · Jan 21, 2018

Very good Ceamer. Now what are the FAA rules on legal intoxication. I get the 12 hour bit..... We all know folks that are still so intoxicated after 12 hours that they can't stand to take a piss.

3930dave · Jan 21, 2018

oosik said:
So......nobody can regale us with the specific FAA limits on blood alcohol or, it truth, there are none. WOW!!! Ain't that just grand.

That "throttle to bottle", good 'ol boy quote really gives me a warm fuzzy feeling at 35,000 feet.

Used to fly on business several times a year, it was what is was..... learned things like flying through DFW when going to the left coast, instead of Ohare. Definitely preferred DFW, even if it was slightly more scheduled

time.....

I like the physics of flying, and would probably still enjoy it if I owned a plane. Wrong lottery tickets keep getting picked though.....

I've grown to prefer driving, even fairly long distances.

Flew last year, for the first time in a long time..... arrived in Fort Myers, just after that major incident :thumbdown: I wouldn't call myself a phobic flyer - I like the act, but not the environment/process that commercial flying has turned into. Reminded me of cattle being shipped.....

But yes, when you see an incident like BBC reported, and try and peal back the onion a bit on this issue - it doesn't exactly increase your comfort level when the answers are loosey-goosey......

Rgds, D.

Wakey · Jan 21, 2018

My brother is a pilot for a fractional. He said the FAA puts it at .02 while his company is at .00

3930dave · Jan 21, 2018

Wakey said:
My brother is a pilot for a fractional. He said the FAA puts it at .02 while his company is at .00

Today, those are more like the #'s I'd expect to hear.

Rgds, D.

bcp · Jan 21, 2018

From:
FAR Part 91 Sec. 91.17 effective as of 07/21/2006

Alcohol or drugs.

(a) No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft--
(1) Within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage;
(2) While under the influence of alcohol;
(3) While using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety; or
[(4) While having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen. Alcohol concentration means grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.]

3930dave · Jan 21, 2018

bcp said:
From:
FAR Part 91 Sec. 91.17 effective as of 07/21/2006

Alcohol or drugs.

(a) No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft--
(1) Within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage;
(2) While under the influence of alcohol;
(3) While using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety; or
[(4) While having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen. Alcohol concentration means grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.]

Specs ! I like actual specs, a lot....... :thumbsup: Hopefully international regs are the same or lower.

Slightly under our road vehicle regs here. I'd prefer zero, and would spend more to fly with an airline that required zero.

Not that I'd expect to see any marketing campaigns for commercial airlines anywhere near this topic......

Rgds, D.