SkyWest Pilot Arrested After Showing up Drunk to Delta Connection Flight, Police Say

KFOR ^ | OCTOBER 26, 2016 | NADIA JUDITH ENCHASSI

[Hot Tabasco]

I wonder if there’s drinkers that go on binges and then abstain for weeks or months?

Many years ago my plant had a skilled trades guy who was an alcoholic. A really nice quiet guy who was a good and knowlegable worker in his trade.

He would stay dry for many, many months then suddenly go on a week long binge of solid drinking and not show up for work. Of course he would be fired but the union would get him reinstated.

I eventually found out that the cause of his drinking was the loss of his wife which he never really recovered from....

If I recall, the last time he was fired the company forced him to retire since he had the age and service........

[dp0622]

wow. I guess some people just break after a while, binge, stay strong a few months and then break again.

Life ain’t all sunshine and roses and it can break the strongest man if he is not constantly fighting back.

Sad story.

[SkyPilot]

•Enlisted military personnel: 84.78.

•Firefighter: 60.59.

•Airline pilot: 60.46.

•Police officer: 53.82.

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1875-stressful-careers.html

[SkyPilot]

Which parts of the job cause the stress in your opinion?

It is different for each individual, but here are the main factors.

- Flying can become routine, but it is inherently very dangerous. Even with vast amounts of experience, there are built in risks with taking a machine into the air that weighs several tons, and maneuvering it through weather, terrain, and other aircraft. No matter how much experience you may have, you can never, ever, ever let your guard down while flying.

- A pilot, especially the captain, carries more responsibility on his or her shoulders than most people can imagine. Not only does the FAA, the company, and the customer take their cut of very being, so do the elements, lack of proper rest, pressure to perform, and many others.

- Unlike many professions, flying is very unforgiving. One mistake, and it can result in loss of life, limb, or your livelihood.

Combine this the stress of being away from home, away from family, getting called out to fill in when you didn't expect it, and other factors, your life never feels like it is completely your own.

So those are the negatives. Are there positives to flying? Of course. Many people stick with it, not because they are getting rich, but because it was always their dream and they love it. But I also know many who have regrets that they got into aviation as a career.