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Danger in the Cockpit: FAA Records Show Pilots Fly Drunk, Engage in Criminal Activity

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alaska_air_737An American Airlines pilot flunked two sobriety tests before a 7 a.m. flight out of Detroit. An Alaska Airlines pilot flew a commercial plane from California to Oregon and back again, all while allegedly drunk. Yet another pilot, from United, allegedly moonlighted as a pimp, running half a dozen brothels out of apartments in Houston, according to authorities.

The cases are enough to frighten the flying public, and are not isolated, according to a FoxNews.com investigation. Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show that while the overwhelming majority of men and women at the cockpit controls are law abiding and responsible, too many fly – or attempt to fly – intoxicated, and even engage in criminal behavior after they touch down.

“According to FAA data, there is no leveling off or decrease in this trend, in fact drug use seems to be climbing,” said Peter Bartos, a retired military pilot with an FAA Airline Transport Pilot license, who reviewed the FAA data for FoxNews.com. “The general public probably has no idea that this abuse is occurring with such regularity at certain airlines.”

Experts say flying in America is extremely safe, and note that of the more than 56,000 alcohol screening tests done by the industry in 2015 for pilots, mechanics, aircraft dispatchers, ground security coordinators, aviation screeners, and traffic controllers, just 119 – or around 0.2 percent – were confirmed at or above the legal limit. Under FAA rules, pilots are not allowed to consume alcohol eight hours before a flight or have a blood alcohol content level higher than .04 percent.

Between 2010 and 2015, FAA records show 64 pilots were cited for violating the alcohol and drug provisions, and in 2015, some 1,546 personnel who must ensure airline safety, including 38 pilots, tested positive for one or more of five illegal drugs. (Read more from “Danger in the Cockpit: FAA Records Show Pilots Fly Drunk, Engage in Criminal Activity” HERE)

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Alaska Airlines and the Jews of Yemen

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maxresdefault (87)The story of the modern exodus of “Beta Israel” the Jews of Ethiopia during Operations Moses and Solomon, which together airlifted some 22,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, is well known. Less well known is the dramatic exodus of over 48,000 Jews from Yemen. Almost unknown is the role played by Alaska Airlines.

No one knows for certain when the first Jews came to Yemen. Local legend has them being sent as traders by King Solomon. In any event, Jews have lived in Yemen for many centuries. In that poverty-stricken country, the Jews were the poorest and lowest of citizens living in contempt and on sufferance as dhimmis. However, in their synagogues and schools, they taught their children to learn and write Hebrew. They never forgot their faith, protected the traditions, observed the Sabbath and passed the Torah and Talmud to each succeeding generation . . .

Alaska Airlines was founded in 1932 when Mac McGee purchased a used three passenger Stinson and started an air charter business in Alaska. With the arrival of James Wooten as president in 1947, the airline began to purchase surplus planes from the U.S. Government and within a year became the world’s largest charter airline.

The JDC approached Wooten and asked if Alaska Airlines would agree to accept the Yemen airlift. Wooten wanted Alaska Air to take on the mission of mercy but Ray Marshall, Chairman of the Board, was cool. Marshall felt the deal was a waste of the Airline’s time and money. It would take at least $50,000 to set up the charter, cash that the Airline did not have. Marshall insisted that Wooten front the funds himself.

Wooten raised the $50,000 by borrowing it from a travel agency associated with the JDC. The contract was signed and Operation On Wings of Eagles, more popularly known by its nickname, Operation Magic Carpet commenced. (Read more from “Alaska Airlines and the Jews of Yemen” HERE)

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UPDATE: Alaska Air Responds to Story Regarding AK Air Customer Service Manager ARRESTED for Child Sex Abuse

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(Editor’s update: Alaska Airlines contacted Restoring Liberty on 4/6/16 and stated that it has no record of the person described below being employed or otherwise working for them) Candy, condoms, and narcotics were some of the items that suspects brought with them when they traveled to have sex with children, according to detectives who recently conducted an undercover online child sex sting that targeted child sex predators.

17 people were arrested during “Operation April’s Fools” which was conducted March 29 through April 4 in Polk County. An arrest warrant was issued for an 18th suspect.

Among those arrested were a Walt Disney World Security Guard, a Discovery Cove theme park janitor, a technician at Florida Hospital, a football coach, an Alaska Airlines customer service manager who brought LSD and cocaine with him, according to investigators . . .

During the operation, undercover detectives posted fictitious ads or profiles on various social media platforms, websites, and mobile phone applications, posing as children, or as custodians of children.

Detectives say that despite the repeated warnings and media coverage of past operations, numerous men responded to the ads and then proceeded to chat online, email, text, and talk on the phone with the undercover detectives who posed as children or custodians of children online. (Read more from “AK Customer Service Manager ARRESTED for Child Sex Abuse” HERE)

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Alaska Air Expected to Announce Virgin America Deal Today

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Alaska Air Group Inc. is expected to announce Monday that it won the auction for Virgin America Inc., besting rival JetBlue Airways Corp. in a frenzied bidding process that culminated in a cash price of about $2.5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

This new chapter in airline consolidation amid low-fare carriers comes at a premium. The deal signed Friday night, according to one of the people, was more than $1 billion over Virgin America’s VA, +0.88% market capitalization on Friday, which had started to rise last month on takeover speculation.

Bidding between Alaska Airlines’ ALK, -0.01% parent and JetBlue JBLU, +0.99% was feverish, this person said, with the price continuing to rise. Alaska prevailed in part because of its clean balance sheet, which will allow it to more easily borrow funds for the acquisition, the person said. (Read more from “Alaska Air Expected to Announce Virgin America Deal Today” HERE)

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‘We’re Going to Die’: Alaska Air Flight Diverted After Unruly Passenger Threatens Crew

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Alaska Airlines Flight 769 from Boston to San Diego took a scary turn Tuesday after a male passenger who was reportedly intoxicated “became disruptive” after the flight attendants would not let him drink on the plane.

The pilot was forced to divert the flight at Denver midway through its route, Fox 5 in San Diego reported.

Passenger Clair Conroy told NBC News that the man “was upset the flight attendants would not let him drink the nips [small bottles of alcohol] he brought” on the flight and became abusive as he began to threaten the flight’s crew members.

Yelling, “I’m not a terrorist” and, “We’re going to die” the crew tried to calm him down, KMGH-TV reported. He also threatened the crew members and passengers on board, saying that he was going to ”cut their throats” with a box cutter. (Read more from “‘We’re Going to Die’: Alaska Air Flight Diverted After Unruly Passenger Threatens Crew” HERE)

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Alaska Air Offers Major Airfare Discounts for Transgender, Bisexual and Gay People, but Forget Funeral Attendees…

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Photo Credit: The Daily Caller Are you gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? Do you want to travel to a bunch of gay pride festivals throughout the United States? If you answered yes to these questions, Alaska Airlines is currently offering exciting discounts on air travel for you.

“At Alaska, we have been longtime supporters of the LGBT community and remain committed to a more equitable society,” an Alaska Air webpage entitled “We Share Your Love of Travel” boasts.

One image on the page feature a trio of shirtless dudes standing under some palm trees. Another shows two women nearly embracing while drinking coffee. A third shows a couple of happy men wearing snazzy denim and holding fancy glasses of alcohol.

“We were elated when the State of Washington expressed the same commitment by legalizing marriage for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” the Alaska Air webpage explains. “To show our continued support we are encouraging the LGBT community to travel, not only to Seattle, but to Pride events and gay friendly destinations all over the country.”

Gay travelers can enjoy discounts of fully 10 percent for airfare to a handful of destinations hosting gay and lesbian celebrations. These gay vacation hotspots include Portland (Northwest Pride, June 13-14), Seattle (Seattle Pride, June 27-28) and San Diego (San Diego Pride, July 17-20). (Read more from “Alaska Air Offers Major Airfare Discounts for Gay People” HERE)

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Jet Fuel Price Dropping, Alaska Airlines Stocks Soaring

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By David Koenig. Leaders of United and Southwest gave an upbeat forecast for 2015 that combined strong travel demand and cheaper fuel. Alaska Airlines, citing a strong outlook and record adjusted earnings, raised its dividend by 60 percent. Airline stocks soared on Thursday.

The price of jet fuel has dropped by about half since September, boosting airline profits and tamping down fear that global economic weakness could hurt the carriers. Analysts expect all four of the biggest U.S. airline operators — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Continental and Southwest, to post bigger profits this year than in 2014.

United Continental predicted first-quarter profit margins higher than many analysts had expected. (Read more about the jet fuel price dropping HERE)

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Delta Air Lines’ “Seattle Invasion” has Failed to Displace Alaska Airlines

By Steve Wilhelm. If you thought the Seattle invasion by Delta Air Lines would dislodge Seattle-based Alaska Air Group, think again.

Alaska reported record profit and decreasing costs for the fourth quarter, and executives struck a note of confidence during the earnings call Thursday.

Alaska Air Group, which includes Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, reported a record $571 million in net 2014 income excluding special items, up 49 percent from the year before. Alaska’s passenger revenue grew 7 percent for the year.

“Alaska has real and durable competitive advantages that will help us sustain these results going forward,” said Brandon Pedersen, chief financial officer. “We’re safe, we run an excellent operation, we offer
award-winning service, have really loyal customers, a great network, low costs, a modern fuel-efficient fleet, a strong balance sheet, and engaged employees.” (Read more from this story HERE)

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