David Paul Allsop, a Southwest Airlines pilot, was removed from the cockpit of a plane and arrested for DUI.
According to CBS News, Allsop was scheduled to pilot a flight from Georgia to Chicago on Wednesday, January 15. Per sources, Allsop allegedly smelled of alcohol and “may have shown other signs of intoxication.” Furthermore, WJCL adds that the pilot’s arrest occurred at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Before the flight’s takeoff, Allsop was “removed from duty.” Additionally, WJCL reports that the passengers’ flight was delayed from 6:05 to 10:56 a.m. as the airline worked to replace the pilot.
“The Employee has been removed from duty,” a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines spokesperson asserted, per the outlet. “Customers were accommodated on other flights, and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans. There’s nothing more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Employees and Customers.”
Per the outlet, the Federal Aviation Administration “prohibit[s] pilots from using alcohol while on duty or from flying, or attempting to fly, an aircraft within 8 hours of consuming alcohol…” Additionally, the FAA, prohibits pilots from operating a plane “if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or greater.”
According to the outlet, Allsop’s bail was set at $3,500. However, jail records appear to indicate that he has since been released on bond.
At this time, officials reportedly haven’t released information regarding his blood alcohol concentration level at the time of his arrest. Meanwhile, WJCL reports that Allsop has been a licensed pilot since 2008.
Southwest Airlines pilot arrested shortly before takeoff after he allegedly showed up to work intoxicated, police say.
New Hampshire resident David Allsop, 52, was arrested at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Chatham… pic.twitter.com/EQ0nT2Fb0T
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 16, 2025
As The Shade Room previously reported, last week, a JetBlue plane made headlines. At the time, the bodies of two males were reportedly found in the wheel well, or landing gear, of the craft.
Furthermore, the discovery was reportedly made when the plane landed in Florida after departing from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. At the time, it was shared that the bodies were found “badly decomposed.”
The post Say WHAT?! Southwest Airlines Pilot Reportedly Removed From Cockpit & Arrested For DUI appeared first on The Shade Room.
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