British Airways Pilot Pleads Guilty To Being Intoxicated in Cockpit
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The former British Airways pilot that was charged with being intoxicated in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft has pleaded guilty.
In April, Julian Monaghan was arrested in the cockpit of a British Airways 777 for having a blood alcohol level that was four times the legal limit for pilots.
Monaghan, 49, boarded the aircraft that he was supposed to pilot on January 18 at London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW). Cabin crew smelt alcohol on Monaghan just minutes before the airplane was scheduled to depart — they notified authorities that they suspected he was intoxicated. The Boeing 777 was headed to Mauritius and had 300 passengers onboard.
Although Monaghan admitted he was over the legal limit, his lawyer Emelyn Jones still defended his actions. She said that the pilot had only had a vodka and coke at 10:30am to help put himself to sleep before the evening flight, which departed at 8:20pm. Pilots in the UK have to abstain from alcohol at least eight hours before each flight.
Jones said that because he hadn’t drank eight hours before the flight, he was abiding by airline rules. Still, after a breath test, it was found that Monaghan had 52mg of alcohol in his breath, and the legal limit for pilots is 9mg. Monaghan was also subjected to a blood test, which found 86mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. Once you’re over 80mg per 100ml, you’d be drunk driving (in England and Wales) if you were found behind the wheel of a car. The alcohol limit for driving under the influence in most of Europe is 50mg per 100ml.
According to Jones, Monaghan was “appalled, astonished and horrified to find he was over the limit.”
Monaghan joined British Airways in 2001 but was fired from the company after the incident. A British Airways spokeswoman told The Telegraph:
“We have taken this matter extremely seriously, and will continue to assist the police with their inquiries. The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority… Julian Monaghan no longer works for the airline.”
Monaghan will be sentenced next week.
H/T: The Telegraph
Featured image by Paul Evans / Flickr.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,650
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.