Former Alaska Airlines pilot David Arnston was arrested Wednesday after federal prosecutors in California charged him for flying a plane under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The 60-year-olf pilot from Newport Beach, California flew from San Diego to Portland in June 2014 and from Portland to Orange County.
NBC News has reported that prosecutors said he went through random drug test after he landed in California and had a blood alcohol level of 0.134 to 0.142 percent, which is enough to get arrested for DUI while driving a land transportation.
"Those in command of passenger jets, or any other form of public transportation, have an obligation to serve the public in the safest and most responsible way possible," said U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker. "We cannot and will not tolerate those who violate the trust of their passengers by endangering lives."
Meanwhile, CBS News has written that Arnston was released from prison on a bond worth $25,000. He was scheduled to appear on February 10 for an arraignment. Driving a common carrier while under the influence can lead to 5 years in federal prison.
According to a report from ABC News, the pilot was relieved from all "safety-sensitive" duties after the results of the test came out. He retired from Alaska Airlines after working for the company since 1982. The co-pilot who flew with him in June 204 said he heard the former captain saying, "I bet it's for me," when they saw the drug tester at the John Wayne Airport.
Last October, Arnston admitted to the investigators that he had a couple of sips from a bottle of beer during his dinner a night before the flight. He said he never had a pronlem with substance abuse, and was a social drinker. He also added that he resigned from the airlines due to "medical issues."
