FAA Adminstrator Babbitt charged with DUI

Fortunately for him, I don't think his position requires a medical certificate!

 

At least it wasn't FUI.....

 

Doesn't make it any better. Drunk drivers can go and burn in hell for all I care.

 

How the FAA treats DUI is absurd.

A professional pilot friend got his second DUI (many years apart on the instances) and the FAA immediately pulled his license. In both instances he was not in or about to be in any flying mode. The pulling of the ticket was automatic and prior to any adjudication of the offense.

To regain his flying status again he has to do counseling and monthly piss tests. There are a limited quantity of FAA recognized counselors. The counselor is the only one that can make the determination to remove the restriction on the pilots license. Sounds like a built in self serving racket for the counselors - too few to bounce between them and they are the sole determiner of fitness. Continuing counseling requirements is in their financial interests.

My objection to this is that DUI does not necessarily have any correlation to driving an aircraft. Flying under the influence is a completely separate matter and should result in loss of flying privledges. Non-pilot activities (as long as one is not on call or in standby mode) should not be applied to the licensing.

Jeff

 

Oh, but it does. Your friend obviously has terrible judgement if he has TWO DUI's on his record.

 

Nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes in judgment on occasion. Whether that translates into something that should concern the FAA is subject to much discussion. Depending on the circumstances, I suspect that their DUI policy could be considered abusive. An example of their inconsistency: 1. A single DUI with a BA of .19 versus multiple (2) DUI convictions with a .08 BA. In one instance, the individual is very drunk, and a major danger to him or herself, and others on the road. In the latter, with that low level of BA, that person isn't a major risk to anyone. There is a substantive difference, and the FAA doesn't take that into account. Remember, the limit for DUI used to be .15, then was lowered to .10, then .08. I don't know if any scientific studies were done to ascertain the risk level associated with each of those levels, I suspect not, and that is what is inconsistent.

Remember this: If you go out to dinner with your significant other, and you drive, if you split a bottle of wine, which is frequently done, there is a good chance you blow over .08. That probably makes most of us violators, doesn't it? Da.mn few of us have accidents or cause injuries however at that level.

Art

 

The other issue is the immediate suspension of the pilots license. No waiting for a verdict. To me it sounds like there is a lack of due process. Drinking pilots is pretty common with the corporate guys - on the road, staying at a hotel for what may be several days or so, on a company expense account and nothing to do but hang out in the bar.

A non-drinker is not fundementally a better pilot. A reasonable drinker is not fundamentally a bad pilot. An intoxicated pilot or one suffering from the aftermath of drinking is a completely different story and no matter how good when sober in these conditions the license should be pulled. But that is directly related to performing pilot tasks.

Jeff

 

Should ABSOLUTELY be suspended immediately.

Until determination that there's not a problem.

Immediately, not the "You can keep flying for several months until we make a judgement" crap.

Pissing in a cup over and over is good reinforcement to not do it again.

 

I know Randy from EAL. This is truely a shame for him and the country. He was one of the best FAA admin in years.

 

At least he stepped down, whether or not he was forced to is another issue, most others do not....