• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home  >  United Airlines  >  Why Did United Restrict Pilot Alcohol Consumption?
United Airlines

Why Did United Restrict Pilot Alcohol Consumption?

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 14, 2019August 13, 2019 1 Comment

It wasn’t just the bust in Scotland that moved United to ban pilots from drinking alcohol less than 12 hours before a flight. Instead, it was a desire to restore trust from a skeptical public and a recognition that some nations place an even more stringent requirement than U.S. law mandates.

Up until yesterday, pilots were allowed to drink up until eight hours before their duty flight. We don’t know if that was violated in Scotland, where two pilots were arrested on August 3rd for reporting for duty intoxicated. Per a bulletin obtained by Brian Sumers:

This policy is being changed to help assure pilot compliance with standards established by the United States and individual states where United operates around the world.

That seems quite reasonable to me. The United Kingdom, for example, has a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02, which is half the amount permitted in the USA. Why, after two incidents in Scotland, even take the chance?

As I argued in an earlier post on this matter, I really don’t think the issue here is intoxication. Rather, it’s about trust and judgment; it is about being sober beyond the shadow of a doubt. Why even raise questions over sobriety? Just be sober. Some are weak and some are strong. This rule better guards the weak while not unduly burdening those who have no trouble processing liquor quickly through their system.

The bulletin to pilots from Flight Operations Manager Henry Canada added:

It is essential that pilots understand that minimal compliance of United’s policy does not assure compliance with DOT [Department of Transportation] or individual state standards.

“Countries outside the United States have differing policies which include a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.00% and punishment criteria. It is the sole personal responsibility of the pilot to report for duty as defined by the Company, DOT/FAA, or the governing country.

It is indeed the sole responsibly of the pilot. But the consequences far outstrip the pilot alone. One rogue gate agent, pilot, or flight attendant can smear the reputation of an entire organization.

CONCLUSION

United’s stricter alcohol policy for pilots is not just a knee-jerk response to embarrassing headlines. I see it as a helpful step to recognize that some countries restrict alcohol far more than in the USA. Abiding by those guidelines helps to rebuild the public trust and protect pilots. Sometimes we do need protection from ourselves…

What do you think about the new stricter alcohol policy for United pilots?

> Read More: It’s Not About Intoxication: How Two Pilots Violated Our Trust

Previous Article Review: ANA Suite Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Next Article United’s Pilot Union Offers Cryptic Message On Alcohol Restriction

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • freddie awards frequent flyer programs seating

    Huge Frequent Flyer Programs Struggle At Freddie Awards

    April 30, 2023
  • United Polaris Lounge SFO Review

    Review: United Polaris Lounge San Francisco (SFO)

    April 26, 2023
  • Delta United George Floyd

    Earnings Reports Suggest Airline Pilot Salary Unsustainable

    April 23, 2023

1 Comment

  1. docntx Reply
    August 14, 2019 at 9:46 am

    Excellent point.
    Do not remember frequently hearing: “I don’t handle alcohol well,” or “I become easily impaired with small amounts of alcohol.”
    On the contrary, in my experience, most say: “I handle my drinking well” while they stagger and slur their speech.
    Flying an airplane is a huge responsibility (Obviously.)
    Ingesting alcohol is never a necessity. Unless you have dependence and or an addiction to alcohol.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • united airlines award chart increases
    Award Inflation and Economic Inflation: How They Relate June 4, 2023
  • hilton grand vacations seaworld orlando gathering room
    The Odd Reason To Buy A Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare June 4, 2023
  • united airline pilots strike
    United Airlines Pilots Union Authorizes Strike Vote: What This Could Mean For The Airline And Passengers June 4, 2023
  • Compelling: Save Up To 50% On Luxury Cruises Worldwide June 3, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines Pins Cockpit Door
    American Airlines First Class Passenger So Angry Over Meal Choices He Pins Flight Attendant To Cockpit Door May 11, 2023
  • Cursing Fight United Airlines
    “Don’t You Ever Tell Me To Speak English!” (Fight Breaks Out On My United Airlines Flight) May 17, 2023
  • Missed VDB United Airlines
    My Foolish $1,000 Airport Lounge Visit May 16, 2023
  • Spirit Airlines Flight Leaves Early
    Spirit Airlines Passengers Enraged After Flight Leaves Early May 8, 2023

Archives

June 2023
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« May    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The @qatarairways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Do The @qatarairways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Doha Hamad International Airport is one of my favorite business class and @oneworld lounges in the world. It does get crowded at peak times, but the food is consistently delicious and always worth a stop. There’s even a separate café with grilled paninis made-to-order. With a second lounge now open (Al Mourjan Lounge at The Garden), hopefully the crowding won’t be as bad around midnight.
A lovely stay at the @fsdoha, one of the best hote A lovely stay at the @fsdoha, one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.
A fabulous flight onboard @qatarairways on the A35 A fabulous flight onboard @qatarairways on the A350-1000 in Qsuite Business Class from DFW-DOH. Qatar offers the best all-around business class product in the world with a spacious suite, plenty of privacy, excellent service, and superb cuisine.
The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

Privacy Policy

© Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.