TODAY'S TMJ4

Midwest Pilot Cleared Of Drinking On The Job

By Katie DeLong

OAK CREEK – A Midwest airlines pilot was arrested for drinking just before his flight, but was he really drunk, or did police jump the gun? Airport police in Minneapolis claimed that the pilot failed a sobriety test. His blood alcohol was .016. That's enough to register on a breath test, but it's so low, he would still be allowed to fly under federal law. The pilot was arrested as he was about to fly from Minneapolis to Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. Police say a TSA agent smelled alcohol on his breath. The pilot's blood alcohol was .016. Pilots aren't allowed to fly if their blood alcohol is .04 or if they drink within 8 hours of a flight. Even though he was under the limit, passengers we spoke to still had their concerns. "Even though it's under the legal limit, it's still in his system. It's enough in his system to register, therefore, that would make me an uncomfortable passenger," Curtis Terry said. The pilot won't be charged with a crime, but he won't be flying again until Midwest Airlines completes their investigation. His lawyer argues that even mouthwash could give someone a .016 blood alcohol level.