Virgin Atlantic Co-Pilot Arrested At LHR

Funnily enough, one of the things that can cause you to incorrectly fail a test are these mouth washes!

While on this subject, I read a very interresting article a couple of years ago in a good quality magazine saying that foods high in poppyseed content such as muffins, bagels, etc can cause a drugs test failure due to the inability of these tests to tell them apart from opium. They ran tests and had people failing on scarily low consumption levels.

They had a show about that on sky few months back, they managed to get a vicar to fail a drugs test after only eating bagels all day long.

What I would say about he mirror is, it has worked hard in past years to move away from trashy red top paper market, however that peice is a shocker.

What could be worse than that of a pilot with halitosis in the relatively small confines of a cockpit ??..a pilot with flatulence i suppose!!

You should try being on one of our 3 man crews returning from India. I was bed-ridden after my last trip to Delhi a few weeks ago and that wasn’t the first time. It is customary to increase the airflow rate in the flightdeck for a while after you’ve dropped one.

Funnily enough, one of the things that can cause you to incorrectly fail a test are these mouth washes!

While on this subject, I read a very interresting article a couple of years ago in a good quality magazine saying that foods high in poppyseed content such as muffins, bagels, etc can cause a drugs test failure due to the inability of these tests to tell them apart from opium. They ran tests and had people failing on scarily low consumption levels.

I bet Stephen Moyes has the audacity to call himself a journalist.

Even by British press standards that piece is appalling.

1L.

What could be worse is him being wrongly accused of taking command of a plane whilst intoxicated Steve!

I see the fine establishment that is The Mirror printed this. Thought it would be either them or the sun given the anon. Virgin “source” and what was said. Very “dummed down” and sensationalistic!

What could be worse than that of a pilot with halitosis in the relatively small confines of a cockpit ??..a pilot with flatulence i suppose!!

I am not going to say anything 😮

Pilots’ bad breath arrests prompt hygiene review

An airline wants cockpit crew to freshen up their act – after it turned out two pilots accused of being drunk on duty just had bad breath.

Virgin Atlantic now fears the oral hygiene of its flying staff is jeopardising its reputation.

Twice police have been called to a flight minutes before take-off following reports of drunk pilots.

Hundreds of passengers watched aghast as the cockpit member was escorted off the jet in handcuffs.

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An incident at Heathrow in April was investigated but the pilot later cleared when – according to a Virgin spokeswoman – he was found to suffer from halitosis.

But the airline was rocked again last month when police led a 42-year-old first officer away from a Miami-bound A340-600.

The 266-passenger plane was taxiing towards the runway when another airline worker raised the alarm after reportedly smelling alcohol on his breath.

He was arrested under Section 94 of the Railways and Transport Act 2003 but again tests revealed he was simply suffering from halitosis.

A Virgin source said: “It’s more than a little embarrassing for this to have happened twice now. It makes terrible headlines and might put off people flying with us.

“We are seriously considering ordering our pilots to freshen up in the cockpit in terms of their hygiene. We might even be forced to include mints as part of our compulsory uniform.”

An airline spokesman said: “We can confirm the first officer arrested on October 28, following an allegation at Heathrow, will not be charged with any offence.

“Blood test results showed the pilot was under the legal alcohol limit for aviation workers and therefore, as no offence was committed, no charges will be brought.

“The pilot is now expected to resume his duties at the airline.”

[email]Stephen.Moyes@Mirror.Co.Uk[/email]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/11/26/fresh-airways-89520-20160952/

On a similar note:

‘Drunk’ crew claim cancels flight, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7111059.stm?lsm

Cal 900

More the newspapers at fault I was thinking of –not the BBC

It does seem that the press love to report negative aspects of crew etc–it would be so nice to hear good things that happen in Aviation:)

Yes you’re right..i was premature in my condemnation of this innocent individual..i’m sorry that i jumped to conclusions without giving him a fair trial…i should know not to believe everything i read or hear as being gospel

Well said Steve, good man!

I cannot remember the last time I saw an aviation story accurately reported in the UK press. Just arrange the words plunge/scream/terror into a story. The Daily Mail seems to specialise in near death experiences based on standard 1000ft vertical separation! Aviation is the only area I have a specialist knowledge….if every aviation story is wrong, what about the subjects I have no knowledge of?

Never believe the press.

One more point I would like to add, the BBC news department are not really know for there “Sensationalism” as someone put it.

But they are known for picking up on stories from newspapers and adding their own spin on events. Sadly the ‘BBC news department’ isn’t quite what it used to be. (thank you Mr Thomson):rolleyes:

…What you are saying is that no suspect that has been arrested can be reported in the media, which has some terrible implications for the publics “right to know”. Im proud this country has a free press…

…but that same ‘free press’ thinks the publics ‘right to know’ involves feeding them stories that are not true. The facts here are that an unskilled airport worker (again) makes an unqualified incorrect opinion about an operating crew member. The ‘system’ then handles the situation in a totally unacceptable manner causing much embarassment to an innocent individual. He then goes through hell until his name can be cleared. Most importantly he NEVER ever broke any rules. However the ‘free press’ think that the public have a ‘right to know’ headlines such as ‘drunk pilot threatens innocent lives’, etc. Free press is a great theory that is generally mis-used and abused.

Thanks Steve, that is much appreciated.

On the subject of court action, the problem with trying to nail the gutter press is that they very carefully ensured that while discrediting to the best of their ability, they never actually said a name. Unfortunately, the industry is small enough that internally many people know who was involved so this person does not enjoy professional anonymity. You can’t claim that your name has been discredited if your name wasn’t actually mentioned! So the maddening thing is that once again the press get away scot free.

Lets just hope that Sir Richard Branson gets his lawyers out on this one and goes for the press, also finds out exactly who nearly ruined the life of a pilot,making untrue allegations.

I don’t want to stray to far from aviation, but on what grounds are you wanting legal action?

What you are saying is that no suspect that has been arrested can be reported in the media, which has some terrible implications for the publics “right to know”. Im proud this country has a free press.

There is no mention of names in the 1st report and in the mandatory follow up reported the facts in a clear manner.

Dragging this through court would end up in far more negative coverage for the airline.

One more point I would like to add, the BBC news department are not really know for there “Sensationalism” as someone put it.

Humble pie time

Yes you’re right..i was premature in my condemnation of this innocent individual..i’m sorry that i jumped to conclusions without giving him a fair trial…i should know not to believe everything i read or hear as being gospel

Lets just hope that Sir Richard Branson gets his lawyers out on this one and goes for the press, also finds out exactly who nearly ruined the life of a pilot,making untrue allegations.
This is the second time this has happened-people are too quick to jump to the wrong conclusions.
Bitchy Jealous security staff at some of these airports come to mind-the person concerned wants to watch their back!
Hope the guy concerned can try and get on with his life now.

Absolutely agree with you PMN. In particular…

In what way? I’m just curious to know why you say this, that’s all.

1L.

It was reported in the manner of which the story deserved.

In what way? I’m just curious to know why you say this, that’s all.

Even the way this article is worded has annoyed me. “A passenger jet co-pilot arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of being over the alcohol limit will face no charges”, as opposed to “a passenger jet co-pilot arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of being over the alcohol limit has been found to be innocent”.

Maybe I’m being picky, I don’t know, but to me ‘will face no charges’ carries less impact when referring to someone’s innocence than ‘has been found to be innocent’. Dammit, I hate being analytical when it comes to language sometimes!

Paul

Lets hope the irresponsible imbecile loses his job

Humble pie time

Well I’d like to know what the witch-hunters have to say now! I suppose it’s unlikely that an admittance of being wrong will materialise. Feel free to surprise me.

Just remember that this year alone 2 friends of mine have now had their lives and careers on the brink of being ruined by people jumping to the wrong conclusions. They have lost earnings through being grounded, have had strain on their marital position through concern over the future, not known how they will pay their mortgage for years to come, been incorrectly shamed in front of a plane full of passengers and unfortunately will always be known for this incident. I just hope that one day the witch-hunters don’t do the same to you.