We assume the people responsible for our safety at 35,000 feet are sober. This story is an uncomfortable reminder that isn’t always true. A drunken flight attendant incident on a United Airlines transatlantic flight reminds us that aviation demands sobriety, not sympathy, but sometimes we have to wrestle with both.
Colleagues noticed that something was wrong and radioed ahead. On the tarmac, paramedics described low blood pressure and alcohol on the flight attendant’s breath. She admitted to drinking, later pled guilty in court to performing an aviation duty while impaired, and received a fine rather than jail time, including:
The second reaction is pity and recognition that there is often more to these stories than headline facts. Reports indicate the flight attendant had been grappling with isolation and grief and that she brought her own miniature bottles on board. That context does not excuse what happened. It does, however, complicate our moral response. Addiction and acute stress can push otherwise sober-minded people to make catastrophic mistakes. The industry must insist on safety, while also creating pathways for intervention and treatment when appropriate.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
