Delta Air Lines pilot goes to jail for being drunk
In June 2023, a Delta Air Lines (DAL) flight carrying 260 passengers from Edinburgh to New York was abruptly canceled when Scottish authorities boarded the plane to arrest the pilot.
Later investigations revealed that the 63-year-old pilot, Lawrence B. Russell Jr. had shown up at a special baggage check for crew members 80 minutes before the flight and was stopped by security after scanners alerted them to two bottles of German liquor Jägermeister in his bag. One was open and, as reported by baggage security, "slightly less than half full," The Charlotte Observer writes.
This set in motion a series of events that included a breathalyzer test that showed Russell's blood alcohol level was significantly elevated (49 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood) and his quick arrest.
Although Russell was immediately placed on leave from Delta, it took almost a year for his case to be heard by the Scottish courts.
Russell pleaded guilty to the charges and expressed remorse for his actions during the trial. Despite hearing other mitigating circumstances (several pilots who also dealt with alcoholism sent letters of support), the court ultimately sentenced Russell to 10 months in prison due to the high level of responsibility for the lives of others that he had in his role.
As TravelWise reported, a pilot drew a huge penis in the sky after being denied landing in Sicily.