A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested this week for driving to work drunk at a Georgia airport, causing his flight to Chicago to be delayed by several hours.
The pilot, identified as 52-year-old David Allsop, was arrested Wednesday at Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah after a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer noticed he allegedly “smelled of alcohol and was intoxicated,” the agency said. Statement to ABC News.
Southwest Airlines confirmed that the pilot had been fired and apologized to customers whose travel plans were disrupted.
The Allsop flight, which was scheduled to operate, Flight 3772 to Chicago, was delayed several hours between 6:05 a.m. and 10:56 a.m. while Southwest got a new pilot, according to the airline.
Allsop was arrested around 7 a.m. by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and charged with driving under the influence, according to a booking document obtained by ABC News.
Southwest Airlines pilot, David Allsop, arrested at Georgia airport for DUI.
Savannah Airport Police Department.
Before the arrest, Allsop was removed from the cockpit while pre-flight checks were being carried out, according to the booking document. He failed a field sobriety test on the jet bridge and was later arrested after refusing a blood test, the incident report said.
Allsop told officers he had been drinking light beers the night before, and the report said the officer smelled of alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot.
The pilot was unable to maintain balance during the sobriety test and was unable to follow the officer’s pen tip with his eyes alone and instead moved his neck and head, according to the incident report.
In its statement, the TSA said this incident was an example of the motto “see something, say something.”
“TSA always reminds travelers if you see something, say something, and that’s what Transportation Security Officers at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) did when they saw something out of the ordinary. They encountered a crew member. He smelled of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated. screening street, the TSA officer contacted local law enforcement and then engaged the individual directly,” the agency. he said
“TSA maintains close relationships with our local law enforcement partners for precisely these types of situations. TSA personnel are vigilant and always maintain a high level of awareness in their efforts to secure our transportation systems and keep the traveling public safe,” the agency added.
