Airport police in Savannah, Georgia, have released bodycam footage from a January arrest of a Southwest Airlines pilot who is accused of trying to fly while under the influence of alcohol.
The footage shows Captain David Allsop arriving at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport around 6 a.m. and making his way through security. After Allsop was through security, a TSA agent can be heard in the recording calling a superior, saying that they smelled alcohol on the pilot’s breath and asking if law enforcement was around to conduct a check.
A pair of officers removed Allsop, who was then going through his pre-flight checks, from the 737 and asked him when was the last time he had something to drink. Allsop responded that he had a few light beers “like 10 hours ago.” When one of the officers asked Allsop if he would be willing to take a field sobriety test, he declined, saying there was no need.
Allsop then returns to the cockpit to retrieve something to show the officers. Once he steps in front of the second police officer, who had until that point not been in close proximity to Allsop, the officer’s eyes get wide, presumably because of the strong smell of alcohol, and signals to his partner that Allsop’s chances of taking off are effectively zero.
The pilot is shown later on in the footage, eventually submitting to a field sobriety test, failing two of the three administered.
The officers ask Allsop if he would be willing to have his blood drawn in order to confirm his blood-alcohol level, but he declines.
“Even if I gave you blood, nothing would change,” Allsop said.
Employees from Southwest requested that Allsop be released into their custody so that the airline could conduct its own sobriety tests and investigation.
Allsop was subsequently let go by Southwest and in July, the FAA revoked his certificate.
“The officer’s eyes got wide”? Come on, man.
It’s unfortunate for any pilot having alcohol and not abiding by the bottle to throttle rule, and having his license suspended, effectively ending his job. Seven months between arrest and being fired from SWA suggests a long in-house investigation.
Second Officer? I did not know the 737 was a 3 man cockpit.
By virtue of the fact he was found guilty and lost his licence & job, he was culpable.
WHAT SICK JOY DO YOU GET IN SHOWING THIS VIDEO?!
Unfortunate is not the word I would use. Luck had nothing to do with it and the flying public is lucky this guy lost his ticket.
He has his Certificate revoked. No such thing as a license in the US and revocation means he has to retest for all certificates after a one year period.
Ok but retesting and a record may not guarantee a return to his former salary.
No one will hire him
I Hope that was in jest. “A pair of officers removed Allsop…”
" Yes, the FAA can revoke a professional pilot’s certificate. The FAA has the authority to suspend or revoke pilot certificates for violations of aviation regulations, including those related to safety, medical fitness, or other infractions."
From FAA.gov:
What is the first step to becoming a pilot?
Decide what you want to fly. FAA’s rules for getting a pilot’s license (certificate) differ depending on the type of aircraft you fly.
Very sad story. Alcohol has ruined a lot of people.