United Airlines pilot arrested for being drunk

A United pilot was arrested for suspected drunkenness on board his plane shortly before takeoff last Sunday.

Travel Insurance News - 23/10/2008

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After a breath test was administered, the pilot was led off the aircraft by Heathrow Airport police.

The flight was United’s scheduled service from London Heathrow to San Francisco.

A witness said they thought someone from the airport’s ground staff had informed airport police the pilot was drinking before he boarded the plane for the flight to California.

A Metropolitan police spokeswoman confirmed the pilot’s arrest: "At approximately 9am on Sunday, officers attended an aircraft at Heathrow Terminal One and arrested a 44-year-old man.

"The man arrested is bailed to return to Heathrow police station on January 16 pending further enquiries."

United issued a statement which stated: "United's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for abuse of violation of this well-established policy.

"Safety is out No1 priority and the pilot has been removed from service while we are co-operating with authorities and conducting a full investigation."

A passenger on the plane said to a reporter from The Sun: “We couldn't believe what we were seeing. The pilot was marched off the aircraft.”

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