Aeromexico Pilots Suspended For Flying While Drunk

MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities suspended the licenses of two pilots, two co-pilots and a flight attendant on flights operated by Mexican carrier Aeromexico for being under the influence of alcohol, the Communications and Transportation Department said in a statement Thursday.

The department said three crew members on an Aeromexico flight that arrived Wednesday at the Mexico City airport from the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta had been found to have consumed alcohol.

And the department said that an Aeromexico flight from San Jose, Costa Rica to Mexico City was canceled on Saturday after Costa Rican authorities determined the pilot and co-pilot had been drinking.

The licenses of all the crew members were suspended, and the department opened an investigation in which the licenses could be permanently canceled. It also opened a civil investigation of the carrier to determine whether it fulfilled its responsibilities to ensure the safe operations of its flights.

No one answered calls for comment at Aeromexico, Mexico's largest carrier.

Comments

[robert horwitz]

11:02 AM on 03/28/2011

Being a Commercial Airline Pilot has to be a really nerve wracking job. I just assumed to put up with all the stress that when I fly my Pilots are always at least half in the bag. Face it folks do you really want to fly on a plane with a jumpy pilot? Not me, no sir. If it takes a few belts for him to steady his nerves before he takes of or lands that's just fine with me.

[CAhye]

11:59 AM on 03/23/2011

.a whole new meaning to drinking and driving

[Endotoxin]

11:48 AM on 03/23/2011

This is your captain speaking....*BZZZT*

I am currently drunk at the wheel. Fasten your seat belts....

No wait, that won't matter. BECAUSE I AM GOING TO RAM THE PLANE INTO THE AIRPORT!

[nabber]

03:49 PM on 03/21/2011

I was suppose to be on this flight. Instead of getting to our destination Saturday night we got there late Monday afternoon. We were not informed that this is why our flight was cancelled.

[kenrynne]

12:24 AM on 03/21/2011

This over-regulated socialist nanny state action has gone too far!
Let the free market decide who flies and who dies -- just like Wall Street (until they crash).

[drjasonmd]

12:39 PM on 03/20/2011

Ouch. I've been on both those flights in the past few months.

[patman77]

05:36 PM on 03/19/2011

no one answered because...WE Were All Drinkin' Tequila..arribba.

[owiseone]

12:33 PM on 03/19/2011

Good for Mexican authorities in suspending those licenses.
I wonder how many pilots with other airlines drink and fly, yet are never exposed...no doubt there are many.

[Comment Betch]

10:59 AM on 03/19/2011

Good job, Mexican authorities. Thanks for grounding those irresponsible employees and helpong to keep people safe!

[Donns]

07:20 AM on 03/19/2011

At any given moment there are a lotta pilots overhead. What are the odds that a few of them have had a drink recently? What are the odds that the guy driving the car meeting you on the highway has had a drink recently? Pretty good odds in both cases I imagine. (And before all the plane drivers think I'm nuts let me just say that I havemore time in the left seat than many of you)

[hawkseye]

05:24 PM on 03/19/2011

I understand that American pilots have to abide by a 24 hour no drinks policy and that other employees will turn them in if they violate the rule. Everyone wants to fly safe, even the employees.

[Punchy the Angry Clown]

06:04 AM on 03/19/2011

I thought it would be hilarious, until I saw it was the Pilots too. Now its just funny :D

[Kevin from Cali]

04:50 AM on 03/19/2011

winning, duh!

[SocialistBoy]

03:45 AM on 03/19/2011

Priming up for St. Pat's Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_2rzu1f-eo

[one tequila two tequila]

03:38 AM on 03/19/2011

The Wild Bunch lives...!