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Air steward 8 times over drink limit
Rashid Razaq25 Feb 2009
A FLIGHT steward had to be removed from a plane after he turned up for work eight times over the alcohol limit.
Police arrested Anthony Shlyshen, 48, in front of passengers on an easyJet flight waiting to depart from Gatwick for Belfast after colleagues noticed his erratic behaviour and smelled alcohol on his breath.
Crawley magistrates heard that Shlyshen turned up drunk for work on 14 December after a drinking session the night before.
Shlyshen was later found to be eight times over the alcohol limit permitted under aviation regulations.
The steward, from Brighton, pleaded guilty to being under the influence of drink while on duty.
Rod Hayler, defending, told the court that Shlyshen had not drunk on the day of his arrest.
"It was a high level of alcohol, but it was a complete misjudgment. Mr Shlyshen had been drinking the night before. He had not taken any on the day of his duty."
Magistrates committed him to be sentenced at Lewes crown court.
Reader views (7)
I'm with Steve I wouldn' be still standing. I worked in ATC for 28 years and we had the 8 hour rule as well. Liability is a pretty big deal.
- John, Surrey Canada, 27/02/2009 21:35
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Timgreg, I use your BA LHR-SIN on a very regular basis for work, I personally think I am fairly easy going and wouldnt warrent the crew to be GASPING for a drink at the end of the flight, Nor would I think your management would be pleased to see you writing a comment like that on a pubic forum, im sure you do deal with difficult passengers every day, at hats off to you guys it is a hard job when faced with a few members of the public, but i dont think the Evening Standard is the place to mention it
- Kj, Manchester, 26/02/2009 15:16
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we are heavily governed by alcohol limits in aviation. I personally am cabin crew for BA at LHR. We are to have NO alcohol up to 8 hours before a duty and moderate alcohol in the 16 hours before that (ie 24 hours before duty). therefore, it is up to an individual to moderate their alcohol intake. we all in this job know the limits. However, believe me after a 14 Hour flight to Singapore with some of the passengers that we get on board you are GASPING for a drink...
- Timgreg, west end, surrey, 26/02/2009 13:38
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Well,at least he turned up.I'd have passed out.
- Steve, London, 26/02/2009 09:16
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Generally, most businesses have rules against being drunk on the job. No since getting too hysterical over this.
But, for the sake of safety of us all: we could ban ALL elected officials from drinking alcohol-totally. Maybe a sober gvt would be a better gvt.
- Trunk, US, 25/02/2009 15:56
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8 times the limit ! Now that's what I call "heroic drinking".
- Nigel Bonny, San Diego, California, 25/02/2009 14:32
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Surely common sense would require a zero alcohol limit for staff involved with any aspect of a flight - be it flying the aircraft or attending to passengers.
Heaven help the passengers in the event of an emergency if the crew are still feeling the effects of a big night out.
- Idontbelieveit, London, UK, 25/02/2009 13:34
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