Flight Delayed Over Suspicion Pilot is Intoxicated

Yahoo! News reports, "A Frontier Airlines flight from Omaha to Milwaukee was delayed today when the pilot was suspected of being drunk and kept from boarding the plane. 'Our police received information alleging that a Frontier crew member was impaired and, acting on that information, our police intercepted the employee before he boarded the flight,' Chris Martin, director of operations for Omaha's Eppley Airfield, told ABCNews.com."

 
Luckily a hotel shuttle driver brought it to the authorities' attention that he suspected the pilot was intoxicated. The flight was delayed two hours while another pilot was located. While inconvenient, it was certainly preferable to the disastrous consequences that operating an aircraft while intoxicated could have.
 
Both Frontier Airlines and likely the FAA will be conducting an investigation.

Intoxication and Work Injury

Arriving to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a bad choice. It can slow reaction times, impairing your judgement and ability to complete your essential job functions. It is particularly imperative to be lucid and free of drugs and alcohol if you operate heavy machinery or large vehicles carrying multiple passengers.
 
If you are concerned about your safety or work injury because of another's impairment, here are the steps that you might consider taking:
 
- Do not hesitate to report any strange or disconcerting behavior to a supervisor. 
- Do not approach or confront the person yourself if you are not comfortable doing so.
- Ensure that someone documents the other individual's behavior, actions, etc.
- If possible, have the person agree to a drug or alcohol test
 
According to the US Office of Personnel Management, "As far as the Government as an employer is concerned, an employee’s decision to drink is that individual’s personal business. However, when the use or abuse of alcohol interferes with the employee’s ability to perform his or her duties, the employer does have legitimate concerns, including the proper performance of duties, health and safety issues, and employee conduct at the workplace."
 
If you have any hesitation at all, perhaps you should seek advice from an Illinois work injury attorney. Not only do they have experience with workers' compensation benefits and claims, they also have significant knowledge of workers' rights.
 
DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Bradley S. Dworkin shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.