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CBSNews /

CBS/ November 11, 2009, 5:28 PM

American Airlines Pilot Fails Breathalyzer

American Airlines confirms that one of their pilots was arrested after failing a breathalyzer test at Heathrow Wednesday, CBS News has learned. He had been scheduled to fly a flight from Heathrow to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.

The airline issued the following statement:

"An American Airlines pilot was arrested at London Heathrow airport yesterday (Wednesday, 20 May) having failed a breathalyser test. Police had been called by airport staff working at the security control post.
The male pilot was due to operate flight AA87; the 10.15 London - Chicago scheduled service. The pilot was replaced and following a delay, the flight departed at 11.30am. No other operations were affected by the incident.

"American Airlines' primary concern is for the safety and comfort of our passengers and crews. The company has strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse and holds its employees to the highest standards. Employees at all levels of the company are not allowed to be on duty whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol and regular screening is carried out. Support is available for those employees who seek help for problems with substance abuse.

"American will not be releasing any personal details of the pilot involved."
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved.
5 Comments Add a Comment
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number1GI says:
TO I_am_Me-1953 .......What's the difference ? wasted is wasted
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Slrman-21001573651763300012869 says:
What happened to "12 hours between bottle and throttle"?
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jenkins501 says:
To the posters, would you have such big mouths if your loved ones were on one of the flights?? Or yor perhaps. You sound like uneducated idiots.
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I_am_me1953 says:
by number1GI May 21, 2009 12:11 PM PDT:

If I had to fly one of those big planes over the ocean I'd probaby fail the test too
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He failed a breathalyzer, not a p i s s test
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number1GI says:
If I had to fly one of those big planes over the ocean I'd probaby fail the test too
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