Breathalizers

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And of course a functioning alcoholic can have a reeally high blood alcohol content and appear wuite normal

Or, maybe it isnt alcohol. Maybe he is diabetic and passed out or had some condition that converts sugar to alcohol.......

Those blood alcohol readers are notoriously inaccurate, need constant resetting......Only a blood sample is accurate
 
Lastpointe said:
And of course a functioning alcoholic can have a reeally high blood alcohol content and appear wuite normal

Or, maybe it isnt alcohol. Maybe he is diabetic and passed out or had some condition that converts sugar to alcohol.......

Those blood alcohol readers are notoriously inaccurate, need constant resetting......Only a blood sample is accurate
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then a blood sample would not be always be proof of drinking! I read and I think posted somewhere awhile ago about someone with that condition. It is very rare, though! And if he were diabetic and passed out a breathalyzer would do no harm.
 
Kimmio said:
then a blood sample would not be always be proof of drinking! I read and I think posted somewhere awhile ago about someone with that condition. It is very rare, though! And if he were diabetic and passed out a breathalyzer would do no harm.
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I've posted about the issues with breathalyzers before, especially with the rule changes in Alberta. One can't be criminally charged on the breathalyzer/refusal to blow if they request a blood sample be used, but their vehicle can still be taken away.
I've not heard of them being inaccurate to the point where this occurred though. His BAC would most likely be pretty high for the reading gotten on the breathalyzer.
If this person actually has a condition where sugar is converted to ethanol - I've only heard this in context of a 'pouch' of the GI tract where microorganisms do this, it wouldn't be the first time someone finds out because of a breathalyzer. It's beneficial to actually find out though.
 
I am only supposing. I have no idea of facts. As really none of us do.

I know in Ontario, breathalizer results get thrown out of court alot. The machines need to be recalculated frequently and even then they are suspect. Not sure why exactly. But it is an issue.

And blood samples become an issue when the person has to get arrested, a court order...... Delays.


My nephew in law is an OPP officer. He is surprised how someone can blow three times the limit and function. He did a test where he drank and blew repeatedly. Feeling drunk he still blew under the limit.

I think that is the issue we have with roadside breathalizers. They just dont accurately reflect drunkeness

This pilot? perhaps he drank all night. Perhaps not. Perhaps something else is at play with his health. Either way he was obviously unable to fly the plane. But they work very hard to get pilot jobs with airlines. It seems strange to throw that away so blatantly, though obviously people do silly things. But he will never fly if convicted. Steep price to pay
 
It is strange. Maybe he was depressed and drank himself into a stupor - maybe he just partied way too hard. Either way, he shouldn't be flying a commercial airline - operating any vehicle but a commercial airline is a job where lots of lives depend on his judgment - if he's willing to take that risk. He should have his license removed and at least suspended for a very long time. Public need to know that the airline takes their pilots' abilility to fly very seriously. It's not about him - a potential accident was avoided, no reason to stay angry with him ... he screwed up, but it could've been much worse ... But it's about public, paying customers', confidence going forward.
 
In walking that yellow line ... one with neurological functions that are abnormal ... would they come across as intoxicated?

One should judge with great caution ... the perhaps I am abnormal and an example of OBI ... completely out of the norm!

What's normal in this place?
 
Not judging the person...just think it's probably not a good idea for him to pilot airplanes. How often do pilots fly with alcohol over the limit?... that's a really bad idea. Even if they are otherwise the nicest person in the world. I don't think anyone would disagree.
 
Realistically, no-one chooses their career path with their weaknesses in mind. (Addictive personality? Maybe I should fly planes full of people around...)
 
Honestly if I were a pilot I wouldnt mind being tested.
Of course then theres the problem of being under the influence of drugs.
 
And what kind of drugs, and one's tolerance, etc. Plenty of pharmaceuticals, completely legit prescribed or over the counter drugs, affect one's reflexes and reaction time. I have a friend with an allergy to cinnamon. Acts as quite a strong hallucinogen on her. She shouldn't drive when under the influence of cinnamon.
 
Better to hire pilots with a serious habit of self-reflection about their personal impact on themselves and their world, and management with the compassion and HR policies to adjust to personal circumstances, like sick days to treat the flu instead of loading up with "DayQuil" type medications, for instance.
 
BetteTheRed said:
And what kind of drugs, and one's tolerance, etc. Plenty of pharmaceuticals, completely legit prescribed or over the counter drugs, affect one's reflexes and reaction time. I have a friend with an allergy to cinnamon. Acts as quite a strong hallucinogen on her. She shouldn't drive when under the influence of cinnamon.
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I can see some folks already racing to their cinnamon jar in the cupboard to check out its properties for altered state! :cool: (BTW I'm not doubting or making light of your friend's situation! )
 
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