French newspaper Le Parisien reports the pilot – only identified as 63-year-old Henry W. – also faces a six-month suspended prison sentence.

 

Pilot Arrived to Gate with Blood Alcohol Level Over Legal Limit

According to reports from USA Today, the United pilot arrived at his gate on an unknown date with signs of drunkenness, including staggering and glassy eyes. Authorities say he had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.132%, which is three times over the Federal Aviation Administration’s limit and six times the European Aviation Agency’s limits.

 

The pilot was ultimately charged for being drunk, although it is unclear what his exact charges were. Prosecutors were quoted as saying: “We rarely have drunk aircraft driving. They are rather road crimes.”

 

In addition to his one-year aviation ban and suspended prison sentence, the pilot will also be forced to pay $4,960 in fines (4,500 EUR). It is unclear if the pilot is still employed by United, or what his role with the carrier would be moving forward.

 

“We hold all our employees to the highest standards and have a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol,” the Chicago-based carrier said in a statement to USA Today. “This employee was immediately removed from service and we are fully cooperating with local authorities.”

 

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Source: frugal travel guy