US Airways flight attendants join battle over liquor license

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0621biz-flights21-ON.html

US Airways flight attendants join battle over liquor license

Christia Gibbons
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 21, 2007 12:23 PM
US Airways flight attendants asked New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson this week to intervene on their behalf and grant US Airways a temporary liquor license for flights in and out of the state.

In a letter to the governor, union representative Gary Richardson said US Airways flight attendants are well trained in dealing with intoxicated passengers and are concerned their professionalism and that of their employer has been tainted over the situation.

Last week Regulation and Licensing Department officials denied extending a temporary license to the airline, telling US Airways attorneys that a May 22 citation had not been resolved to their satisfaction, nor had a state-supported alcohol training program been incorporated into US Airways training.

In the past six months the airline was cited twice for serving alcohol to passengers who later were involved in drunk-driving accidents. In November, a man shortly after getting off a US Airways flight, crashed into another vehicle killing himself and family of five near Santa Fe.This spring, the airline was cited after a drunk driving accident also involving a male passenger. No one was hurt in those incidents. The first citation has been resolved; it is the second one still up in the air.

Gary Richardson, president of the master executive council of the 2,700-member Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO, said the incidents were regretful and his group is working "promptly to strengthen the already rigorous FAA policy currently in place."

Gov. Richardson is in Phoenix today participating in an AFL-CIO sponsored town hall. Richardson of the flight attendant's group was hoping to speak to the governor today.

[Haole Girl]

1. Wasn't their CEO arrested 3 times, at least , for DUI?

I've lost count, to be honest.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/83778


February 8, 2007

US Airways CEO admits 2 prior DUI convictions
Nick Martin, Tribune

US Airways chief Doug Parker was convicted twice before of drunken driving, both times in his twenties, he said on Friday. The 45-year-old CEO of the Tempe-based airline made the announcement late Friday after being contacted by reporters about past convictions.

Scottsdale police arrested Parker on suspicion of drunken driving on Jan. 31, just hours after US Airways lost a $9.8 billion bid to acquire Delta Air Lines. The arrest did not come to light until Thursday night when police confirmed it to the Tribune.

Parker denied the recent arrest pointed to a pattern.

“My mistake of last week was just that — a mistake, not a trend and I believe that events from 15 and 20 years ago do not reflect on the person I am today,” he wrote in a statement

[iamahaingttta]

2. Personally, I think booze on planes is dumb!

There's less pressure up there and you get drunk faster.
I usually have a drink or two, but I could live without it.
I've seen more obnoxious drunks on planes than in bars.
You're better off smoking pot before flying.
Trust me on that one...