I'd like to remain open minded about this but I think it disastrous for VS. Even if the First Officer is found to be completely innocent (as in the last allegation back in April), VS is going to get a reputation. I say VS crew and management need to tighten up - to either remove the suspiscion, or worse, and remove this perceived stain against the airline.
I'm sorry to be harsh about this but I do not want to frequent an airline that has a stain of drink allegations against it's most important employees. Let alone worry about what the consequences of any such actual behaviour might result in.
[V]
I'm sorry to be harsh about this but I do not want to frequent an airline that has a stain of drink allegations against it's most important employees. Let alone worry about what the consequences of any such actual behaviour might result in.
[V]
There's a plane at JFK, to fly you back from far away
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
Originally posted by slinky09Originally posted by JAT74L
I believe it's been proved once has it not?
I'm not aware of that ...
BTW John - dude you changed your reply after I've replied to you [:p][:p]
There's a plane at JFK, to fly you back from far away
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
Well I am a bit tired after completing my fifth Marine Corps Marathon (and seventh marathon. (Today's time 3h59m)
BUT I recall a VS pilot being arrested at IAD a while back and a few other times. Without further analyst of hard facts, I would say VS got themselves an issue. This is the second time this has happened off the top of my mind.
BUT I recall a VS pilot being arrested at IAD a while back and a few other times. Without further analyst of hard facts, I would say VS got themselves an issue. This is the second time this has happened off the top of my mind.
The last time this happened the pilot was clearedhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6535517.stm Don't believe this got as much publicity as the original arrest though!
Originally posted by ela123
The last time this happened the pilot was clearedhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6535517.stm Don't believe this got as much publicity as the original arrest though!
Yes, but the time before that, link here to BBC News story, resulted in the chap being charged, pleading guilty and being sentenced. He resigned from VS.
So this appears to be the third such incident reported.
Virgin do actually have random testing for both drugs and alcohol.
Breathalysing however would be no good - standard police devices simply do not measure the low levels (9 microgrammes) required for flight crew. The reason for this level is interesting - the body can and does produce its own alcohol - but the highest recorded level is 8 microgrammes - thus 9 proves it has been taken! No police breathalyser can read to an accuracy of 1 microgramme - they are typically 3-4!
This explains the 'arrest' - the ONLY way that they can be tested is by blood sample - and it is standard practice that if a pilot is asked for a blood sample, he is automatically relieved from flight duties (stress!)
In fact they typically replace the whole flight crew.
If a report is made to the police, they have no option but to follow the procedure and require a blood test.
Unfortunately it just takes some i***t security 'person' to spark off such an incident.
Breathalysing however would be no good - standard police devices simply do not measure the low levels (9 microgrammes) required for flight crew. The reason for this level is interesting - the body can and does produce its own alcohol - but the highest recorded level is 8 microgrammes - thus 9 proves it has been taken! No police breathalyser can read to an accuracy of 1 microgramme - they are typically 3-4!
This explains the 'arrest' - the ONLY way that they can be tested is by blood sample - and it is standard practice that if a pilot is asked for a blood sample, he is automatically relieved from flight duties (stress!)
In fact they typically replace the whole flight crew.
If a report is made to the police, they have no option but to follow the procedure and require a blood test.
Unfortunately it just takes some i***t security 'person' to spark off such an incident.
#424263 by Guest
03 Nov 2007, 10:41
03 Nov 2007, 10:41
I have heard the poor blokes blood test has proved him innocent. now waiting for the massive press campaign to broadcast this fact.
If it is right, that is good news, barfly. Do you have a source?
Nick
Nick
#424267 by Guest
03 Nov 2007, 11:18
03 Nov 2007, 11:18
Horse's mouth. Virgin pilot enjoying beer and chat in local pub last night. We discussed possible compensation for being marched off plane in front of J passengers in handcuffs.
Now been completely cleared
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread ... 100&page=5
Internal Statement released on company intranet:
Summarising.... 'following the results of his blood test, no offence was committed, no charges will be brought. The pilot is now expected to resume his duties.'
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread ... 100&page=5
Internal Statement released on company intranet:
Summarising.... 'following the results of his blood test, no offence was committed, no charges will be brought. The pilot is now expected to resume his duties.'
The BBC are now running the 'Pilot Cleared' story as well.
I wonder if the tabloid press and internet groups who had him found guilty and convicted, without a shred of evidence will be running large profile apology stories? I somehow doubt it. [V][n]
I am normally the last person to advocate going to law, because we have already created a horrible compensation culture but, in this case, I agree with the poster in the pprune thread. I hope SRB, or the pilot's union, fund the pilot to issue as many writs as possible.
Nick
I wonder if the tabloid press and internet groups who had him found guilty and convicted, without a shred of evidence will be running large profile apology stories? I somehow doubt it. [V][n]
I am normally the last person to advocate going to law, because we have already created a horrible compensation culture but, in this case, I agree with the poster in the pprune thread. I hope SRB, or the pilot's union, fund the pilot to issue as many writs as possible.
Nick
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: mitchja and 145 guests