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by vinc3nt on February 9th, 2007

vinc3nt

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Should commercial aircraft have an alcohol breath test interlock built into the starting system to prevent pilots from flying drunk? This system is used in automobiles when drunk driving must be monitored on those who must drive to work.

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Answers. 5 helpful answers below.

  • by Av8trxx on February 10th, 2007

    Av8trxx

    That system you have described is used for people who have shown themselves to be violators of the drunk driving laws. There is no reason to equip aircraft with any such device as:
    1) airline pilots are not habitual drunks that show up to work impaired
    2) the cost factor of installing such devices would be totally impractical

    Random drug and alcohol testing is already in place at the airlines. Pilots must give samples on demand at random times during their trip sequences to prove they are alcohol/substance free.

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  • by bowlinggreen on February 9th, 2007

    bowlinggreen

    I don't think that this technology is foolproof and I think it mostly benefits the pockets of the people who manufacture the technology and lobby (pay off) politicians to pass laws to implement them. What would stop a drunk from blowing up a balloon before he goes out drinking, and when he's ready to go home, he blows into the device using the balloon instead of his mouth? Sounds like it would work. A stupid 10 cent trick and the whole point is moot. He could even have a friend blow into the device.

    Hate to say it but we will be seeing some crazy technology coming out in the next few years. I mean totally wacky. I heard that there are sensors that they are planning to install into plane seats to measure the passenger's sweat, pulse, etc. to determine if they are "too nervous" and may be potential terrorists. Totally ridiculous. The World Cup in German already had robot security drones.

    The thing is, that if these devices become the norm, what next? A scale/interlock system for the refrigerator preventing obese people from opening the door?

    Alcohol abuse, over eating, and a myriad of social ills need to be addressed internally as well as externally. People need to understand the reasons for their poor choices and make the internal changes so they choose healthy things. It's not enough to just force external solutions on them without addressing the internal issues.

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  • by DavidHume on February 10th, 2007

    DavidHume

    This would be an unwarranted intrusion into the lives of the pilots. The existing measures to check that pilots are sober are sufficient; there have been very few instances where alcohol was a factor, and none (that I know of) in the last few years.

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  • by Anonymous on February 9th, 2007

    Anonymous

    I think yes.
    They have the responsibility to transport many people as safely as possible.

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  • by unforgiven017 on February 9th, 2007

    unforgiven017

    You think alot of flights get cancelled now... hoo boy.

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