The pilot’s job, hours, and working conditions lead to fatigue, which is often “treated” with a drink of something to “relax.” A pilot is in a unique situation where he/she is often isolated, and removed from familiar surroundings that may lead to an increased urge to drink out of boredom or loneliness. In Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), it is an over going issue where drinking alcohol has become very controversial; quite a few flight crew members are indulged in drinking alcohol, some within limits and some go overboard to cross them. Since alcohol is banned in Pakistan there is no such limit defined in the Pakistani law. Here are a few incidents where PIA pilots were caught drinking alcohol: Captain Jawed Muzzafar, a very senior B-747 pilot was heavily drunk on a flight from Paris to Islamabad. He was witnessed by one of the passengers and later dismissed from the PIA services. Captain Tehrani, another senior PIA B-747 pilot, who was also a habitual drinker and alcoholic was caught drunk during a flight and later dismissed. Captain Imran Aziz, a senior B-777 pilot was picked up by the metropolitan police from the aircraft in Manchester on a complaint by the … Continue reading Pilot, Alcohol and Pakistani Authorities: What will happen?