Posted on 07/21/2005 4:25:03 PM PDT by OnRightOnLeftCoast
Pilot Thomas Cloyd sentenced to 5 yrs. in prison. Co-Pilot Christopher Hughes to 2.5 yrs in prison. Both also received a gaggle of other conditions when released.
When arrested at the airport prior to a flight Cloyd had a a breath-alcohol reading of .084; Hughes .091. Both over the legal limit for a drunk driver.
The Prosecutor sizzled them because their defense was they did not operate a aircraft, but as he pointed were ready to board it and operate it.
"Dumb & Dumber"
I wish drivers got these punishments. Just because they aren't going to kill a whole plane of people shouldn't make a difference.
Cloyd got more time because of priors: DUI and Domestic Violence.
You are supposed to post a link that works to the article
This is ridiculous. .08 is not very intoxicated. The prohibitionists have been steadily lower the legal limit. The reality is that the vast majority of accidents are caused by people over .18. Talking on your cell phone is the equivalent of driving with a BAC of around .1. These guys should be fired and lose their licenses, etc. But 5 years in jail? This is nuts.
Weren't these boys chugging until about three in the morning?
Where's the link?
I thought the legal limit for a pilot on a passenger flight was 0.0%
I agree, they should be fired, but being in the cockpit while over the limit is not a crime. The judge is counting on them not having the cash to appeal.
My understanding (which could easily be wrong) was that for pilots or commercial drivers the language states that you cannot ingest ANY alcohol for 12 hours prior to service and the level is 0.04 to indicate intoxication.
I’ll dig around and see if I can find the article I got that from…
>>>I thought the legal limit for a pilot on a passenger flight was 0.0%<<<
In the past it was 24 hrs bottle to throttle (for us Military types)
I'm pretty sure FAA says NO alcohol within eight hours of flight, most pilots use 12 for safety. This is for action by the FAA, not the courts.
That tears it! 
Right on, Bender. Those pilots deserve all they get.
I'm so steamed at the court system!!!!
The court system?
Yeah. How dare they not let pilots drink. If Leela didn't belt back a few before she flew, we'd never get off the ground!
http://www.courttv.com/trials/pilots/072105_sentencing_ctv.html
Former pilots Thomas Cloyd and Christopher Hughes
were sentenced to prison Thursday.
Being discussed on Court TV now.
Seems as though the FAA should've been the only authority involved in this case - they hadn't as yet started the operation of the aircraft.
They should've lost their licenses, that's all - plus whatever fine the FARs allow.
It isn't illegal to sit in your car, in the driver's seat, with the engine off if you're drunk, either. But the moment you turn the engine on, you've broken the law---even if you haven't yet taken it out of park. The difference is of course that you have begun the necessary process to drive; you are "operating" the vehicle.
Driving a plane, particularly a commercial jet, is not a matter of sitting in the seat and turning the key. The process of "operation" begins long before taxi or takeoff. It even begins before the engines themselves start. And the entire process requires command of your mental faculties.
So no, I doubt this will get overturned on appeal.
I'd have sentenced them to 5 years continuous flying coast-to-coast, in coach seats..middle seats.. on United..only being able to eat what they were served on the plane...only using the rest rooms on the plane...no, wait,..that'd be unconstitutional..it'd be cruel and unusual punishment..
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