United Tightens Employee Rules for Pre-Flight Drinking
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.
United Airlines pilots and cabin crew members are going to have to lay off the sauce an extra four hours before their duty clock starts, based on new rules distributed to employees this week.
According to an internal email reviewed by TPG, starting Aug. 17, flight attendants will be barred from consuming any alcohol less than 12 hours before their shift starts. Previously, they could partake up to eight hours before flying. The email notes that cabin crews must abide by local laws when they are stricter than the airline’s policy.
“Countries outside of the United States have different policies, which include a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.00% and punishment criteria,” the memo to flight attendants said in part.
The parallel change for pilots was first reported by Skift on Monday.
Two of United’s pilots were arrested in Glasgow, UK, last week after failing a pre-flight breathalyzer test.
As for the other US major carriers, American Airlines said in an email its policy is in line with FAA regulations, which require a minimum of eight hours between alcohol consumption and reporting for duty. The airline has no plans to extend that window. Delta Air Lines also follows the eight hour rule.
Southwest representatives told Time magazine the airline is not considering changes to its own eight hour policy.
Featured photo of a United Boeing 777 at Newark airport by Alberto Riva/TPG
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
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 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases.
- 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 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.
- Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.
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.