A pilot was found to be drunk with two bottles of Jagermeister as he tried to take control of a transatlantic flight. flight He has been sentenced to 10 months in jail.
Captain Lawrence Russell, 63, was wearing his pilot's uniform and Delta Airlines lanyard when he was stopped at Edinburgh Airport on June 16 last year.
His carry-on bag was flagged for inspection after an X-ray as he was boarding a Boeing 767 bound for JFK Airport in New York. New YorkStaff discovered an opened bottle of Jagermeister and another half-full bottle, causing concern.
Russell, from Georgia in the US, was found to be two-and-a-half times over the alcohol limit after a breath test at 9:30 am.
He admitted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on March 6 that he reported for duty as a pilot while being impaired by alcohol, exceeding the legal limit of 20 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood.
Russell was sentenced to 10 months at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Delta said its alcohol policy is one of the strictest in the industry and they have zero tolerance for violations (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)
'He displayed a reckless disregard for the safety of his passengers and crew. The pilot of a commercial aircraft holds the lives of hundreds in his hands. He would have put all of them at serious risk.
'This conviction should serve as a warning that crimes of this kind will be dealt with firmly.'
Defence attorney Pamela Rodgers informed the court that her client, a recovering alcoholic, had been sober for 277 days and had completed the 12 Steps to Recovery rehab program.
Ms. Rodgers stated that Russell was the fourth pilot to be prosecuted in Scotland for attempting to fly under the influence of alcohol, and he is remorseful for his actions.
Rodgers added that the pilot is a father of two sons, with one getting married later this year, and he helps care for his elderly mother.
Following the pilot's arrest, the flight to New York was canceled, and Delta Airlines ensured that all the passengers were assisted with their travel arrangements.
A spokesperson for Delta Airlines remarked: 'While Delta does not comment on ongoing legal cases, Delta's alcohol policy is one of the strictest in the industry, and we have zero tolerance for violations.'
Captain Lawrence Russell was found to be two-and-a-half times over the alcohol limit.
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