Armed Pilot Charged With Intoxication

[Xipe Totec]

LAS VEGAS - An armed AirTran Airways pilot was charged with operating an aircraft under the influence after a federal screener at McCarran International Airport smelled alcohol, authorities said Thursday.

Las Vegas police arrested Oliver Paul Reason Jr., 37, in the cockpit of the AirTran plane shortly after he passed through an airport checkpoint Wednesday night, according to the Transportation Security Administration, police and the airline.

(snip)

The pilot has been suspended from his duties as a federal flight deck officer, which had allowed him to carry the firearm, the TSA said.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050114/ap_on_re_us/intoxicated_pilot_1

I feel so much safer now that we have armed drunks flying airplanes.

[Florida_Geek]

1. I do not understand how these pilots keep getting caught

It is always at checkpoints and the smell of alcohol.

[maxanne]

2. drunks

always think they're smarter than everyone else.

[Xipe Totec]

3. And if they're armed, who's going to argue with them?

[CarinKaryn]

4. What a toxix mix

Drunks and guns.

[legalcoffee]

5. Not that I support alcoholism but,

If I was losing my pention and taking pay cuts at every turn I'd start drinking too. A friend of mine left the industry to work for Merrill Lynch I would have done the more logical and joined a wine association... ha. ha.