SAVANNAH, Ga. — In a significant incident at a Georgia airport, law enforcement detained an airline pilot on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) as he conducted pre-flight preparations for a Southwest Airlines flight. This situation unfolded as the pilot exhibited signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the strong scent of alcohol, according to a police report.
Passengers had already boarded the flight, which was scheduled to travel from Savannah to Chicago, and were waiting for the plane to take off when police intervened. The situation escalated quickly on Wednesday morning when officers arrived and escorted the pilot off the aircraft in handcuffs.
The incident was sparked when an airport security officer noticed that the 52-year-old pilot “smelled of alcohol and appeared intoxicated” during the crew screening process, as detailed in a statement from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Subsequently, an officer located the pilot “seated in the cockpit performing pre-flight checks.” The police report indicated that the pilot emitted “a strong odor of what seemed to be alcohol” and displayed “bloodshot, watery eyes and a flushed complexion.”
When questioned by an officer, the pilot attempted to attribute the alcohol smell to nicotine patches, claiming he had consumed “a few light beers” the previous night. However, following a field sobriety test, police noted instability in his balance and other indicators of intoxication.
Ultimately, the pilot was arrested for DUI after declining to submit to a blood-alcohol test. In response to the incident, Southwest Airlines confirmed in a statement that the pilot “has been removed from duty.” The airline also assured that “Customers were accommodated on other flights and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans.”
Federal regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strictly prohibit pilots from flying within eight hours of consuming any alcohol, and they must ensure their blood alcohol concentration remains below 0.04—half of Georgia’s legal limit for driving. Following the arrest, the pilot was taken to the Chatham County jail in Savannah and subsequently released after posting a $3,500 bond. Attempts to reach the pilot’s contact number in New Hampshire were unsuccessful, and it remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel.
