United Airlines Pilots Arrested After Allegedly Found Drunk On Plane

The two pilots, ages 45 and 35, were supposed to fly 141 passengers on a flight out Scotland.

Two pilots were arrested in Scotland on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol as they prepared to fly a passenger plane to the United States, police said on Sunday.

They are now being held at Govan police station, a short distance from the airport, and are expected to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday.

The pilots, aged 34, and 45, were detained yesterday morning as they prepared for the flight from Glasgow to NY.

“The two pilots have been removed from service and their flying duties”, United spokeswoman Erin Benson said. United also said it is cooperating with Scottish investigators and would conduct an independent investigation.

According to Dave Vos, head of Google’s Project Wing, passenger aircraft should be controlled by robotic drones instead of human pilots in the future. “The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority”, said the airline’s spokesman.

The pilots were accused of exceeding an alcohol limit. The drink drive limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms, and in England it is 35.

The lengthy delay was due to the time taken to source and re-position replacement members of staff.

The men, 35 and 45 years old, whose names have not yet been released, are both believed to be USA citizens, BBC reported.

Two United Airlines pilots from the U.S. have been arrested in Scotland by police for being under the influence of alcohol, shortly before flying a transatlantic passenger jet from Glasgow to the US.