NEW DELHI: An Air India (AI) pilot could lose his job for trying to fly in the cockpit of a full flight, not as crew member but as a traveller, in a tipsy condition. While, another AI pilot had his flying license suspended for six months for reportedly asking his flight purser to rinse his tiffin and then getting into a fight with him onboard the aircraft when the latter refused to do so.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday issued these twin orders. The regulator has also barred airline officials like pilots and aircraft engineers from traveling in cockpit when on leave or when not been rostered to operate that particular flight, with immediate effect. “This practice is in violation (of rules) and also provides cover to officials while on leave/off duty and detected BA positive (having traces of alcohol in breath). (Operations manual allowing this) is void ab-inito and stands repudiated with immediate effect,” the order said.
