Pilot arrested after security agent smells alcohol

[alp227]

Source: CNN

A pilot in Minnesota who was preparing to fly a commercial jet halfway across the country was arrested after a security agent smelled alcohol on him and he failed a preliminary breath test, airport police said Friday.

The arrest of Kolbjorn Jarle Kristiansen, 48, happened Friday morning as American Eagle Flight 4590 was preparing to take off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International for LaGuardia Airport in New York.

Officers and a Transportation Security Administration agent "detected the odor of a consumed alcohol beverage as they passed by Kristiansen waiting to enter the elevator," according to a Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport Police Department report.

The pilot was taken to a hospital for blood tests, airport spokesman Patrick Hogan told CNN. He was released to airline personnel and charges are pending, according to the airport police report.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/04/travel/minnesota-pilot-arrest/index.html

[Major Nikon]

1. No smoking 8 hours prior to flight and no alcohol within 50 feet of the aircraft

[d_r]

2. don't get me wrong-

I'm glad he was kept off the flight - but it is kind of spooky that a TSA can walk by him and smell alcohol and he gets taken to the hospital for a blood test. I mean I don't know of other authority that can do that to someone in the US.

[JI7]

3. isn't it part of the TSA job. this guy is a pilot

[gmann]

4. nuclear power plants

Every worker goes thru class concerning "fitness for duty" If you smell booze, it better be reported. If you should have smelled it and didn't report it (your worker was roaring drunk for 3 hours) goodbye career, hello iron bars. . .

[joshcryer]

5. I think a citizen could've done that easily.

I know I would've detained him, physically if need be, and security would've definitely got involved. That's some serious stuff.

(Though I admit that as a citizen I would've probably been detained as well, but I would've expected to be let go.)

[d_r]

7. you all are right

and I'm glad he wasn't allowed to fly. But wow.

[MADem]

8. Hell, if a gate agent smells booze, a co-pilot, a flight attendant--they're gonna make that call.

It's not a question of "authority." It's a question of the safety and continued viability of HUNDREDS of human beings.

I don't see how anyone with a brain could NOT make that call. And all it takes is an accusation--by ANYONE--to set those wheels in motion. And good thing, too.

Nothing "spooky" about it. Probably the most "human" and "humane" thing TSA does, IMO.

[Marrah_G]

6. A family friend recently had her flight delayed because they needed to get a new pilot

The original one was drunk. I'm glad they found out before he took off. Needless to say he no longer works for the airline.