Two Delta flight attendants were removed from a flight on Friday after failing a random breathalyzer test. What’s shocking is just how much over the limit one of the flight attendants reportedly was.
In this post:
Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test in Amsterdam
The Netherlands is known for conducting random breathalyzer tests of airline crews, as the country also has some of the stricter rules out there around crews drinking. For example, while many countries don’t allow airline crews to drink within eight hours of flying, the Netherlands requires crews not to drink within 10 hours (and this supersedes whatever policies individual airlines have).
On Friday, November 29, 2024, a routine alcohol inspection was conducted at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). Of the 445 breathalyzer tests that were performed between 7AM and 10AM, a total of three crew members failed, including two crew members on a single Delta flight.
Specifically, the flight impacted was Delta flight DL49, scheduled to operate to New York Kennedy Airport (JFK), as first reported by @xJonNYC. Despite the two crew members not being able to fly, the airline was still able to operate the flight, just with more limited service. The flight was even on schedule.
And on the 29th, 2 FAs were pulled off duty from DL49 to JFK
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 5:20 PM
One flight attendant had a shockingly high blood alcohol level
The Netherlands ordinarily requires airline crews to have a blood alcohol level of under 0.02. As a point of comparison, the legal limit for driving in the United States is typically 0.08, so the limit is one-quarter of what it would be to drive.
How high were the blood alcohol levels of these two flight attendants? According to NL Times (thanks to @Jim__Douglas for flagging this), a male Delta flight attendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.024, so he was just over the legal limit. Then a female Delta flight attendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.143. That is outrageously high, more than seven times the legal limit for airline crews, and even nearly double the limit for driving in the United States.
Assuming the test was accurate, I just can’t wrap my head around that. This woman must’ve been visibly intoxicated, no? One would hope that her fellow crew members would encourage her to not fly, and to call in sick, or whatever, because this is just so beyond reckless.
For what it’s worth, this flight was scheduled to depart at 10:45AM, so it wasn’t a 6AM flight, or something. Was the flight attendant just out partying till the wee hours of the night? Was she drinking heavily right before the flight? Or how could that happen? I hope she gets the help she need so that she can make more responsible decisions in the future.
In addition to probably facing serious repercussions at work (including possibly losing their jobs), the flight attendants are also being fined. The flight attendant with the lower blood alcohol level was fined 275 euro, while the flight attendant with the higher blood alcohol level was fined 1,900 euro, the highest penalty allowed.
What’s pretty wild is that the third crew member who failed a breathalyzer (working for another, unnamed airline) had a blood alcohol level of 0.13, which is also very high.
Honestly, these results sure make you think that maybe these tests should be conducted more consistently globally. It’s irresponsible to be at all over the legal limit, but there’s a major difference between 0.024 and 0.13+. The fact that two flight attendants were between six and eight times over the legal limit is pretty awful.
Bottom line
Two Delta flight attendants who were supposed to work a flight from Amsterdam to New York ended up being removed, after they failed a breathalyzer test at the airport. One flight attendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.024, just over the legal limit. But the other flight attendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.143, more than seven times over the limit.
Are you surprised that two flight attendants were so far over the limit during these breathalyzer tests?
You do realize that in the 1970’s the legal limit for driving in most states was .15 so this big story isn’t really a big wow to many of us who weren’t legally (or physically) drunk at that time. It was lowered by MADD, who would like to ban any blood alcohol content.
Talk about a buzz kill.
Ha echoing what many others have said: this goes a LONG way toward explaining the DL service standard vs other domestic carriers lol, though I do understand why that's an inconvenient reality for some.
I’ll take their jobs.
It isn't blood alcohol leve. As the name says, it's BREATHALYZER. The result is conductivity of the vapors of the subjects BREATH.
OK, anyway it's huge, but just to clarify the text.
It’s commonly referred to as BAC because what the lungs expel correlates to blood alcohol.
Trash. Delta has been hiring the bottom of the bottom.
I’m good w alcohol testing for my peers. It’s a great safeguard.
I wish other professions were also subject to random drug/alcohol testing.
Doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, government officials to name a few.
Hey Lucky,
As a physician I just wanted to chime in about your question as to whether the FA would be obviously intoxicated. In short there's no absolute number that will point you to how intoxicated a person is; there is a correlation though. As an example someone who has a high alcohol tolerance (i.e. a daily drinker) may be at 0.16 (2 standard drinks) and barely feel anything, while someone like me might have...
Hey Lucky,
As a physician I just wanted to chime in about your question as to whether the FA would be obviously intoxicated. In short there's no absolute number that will point you to how intoxicated a person is; there is a correlation though. As an example someone who has a high alcohol tolerance (i.e. a daily drinker) may be at 0.16 (2 standard drinks) and barely feel anything, while someone like me might have only one drink and be very clearly intoxicated. Everyone has a different threshold but I would say for the average person you'd probably see some signs of intoxication at that level. Thus you'll see that blood alcohol limits are usually pretty arbitrary. That being said other countries legal limits are typically far below what the US finds acceptable written into law (altho enforcement may be different as you see in some European countries where the relationship with alcohol is far different with regards to age limits and rules). Hope that helps!
Happy holidays!
Back when I was in the Navy we had a sailor who was reported drunk on duty (we were in port). I was the senior duty officer and took her down to medical for a breathalyzer. I was confused because she was walking normally and carrying on a conversation with no issue. I was shocked when she blew a 0.24! Turns out she was a high functioning alcoholic that could hide it very well.
Is there a way to test for marijuana?
This can be dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals ....
1) Place them in a room with a 4K HDTV and a surround sound stereo system.
2) Simultaneously, start Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and the Wizard of Oz.
3) Place a bag of Doritos in front of them.
Not for impairment as it stays in the body for days.
Makes me think about this Amazon movie "Zero F's Given" about low coster airline crew (clearly modeled after W6 or FR).
What a legend. Make America Lit Again!
Good thing they didn’t test us in the good old days of flying in the 70’s and 80s . Seems a little too strict as the 0.02 level when USA driving is 0.08 . I remember some of us partying all night long .
Those were the days .if there was any kind of an emergency you would sober up really fast to open doors etc.
US driving limit is quite irrelevant here since it happened in The Netherlands. I understand that the US high limit is partially down to the car culture when you usually don't have other option than driving so it's meant to accomodate a glass or two with your dinner. Many EU states have zero policy for driving. In case of NL it's 0.05. It's reasonable that flying a plane and being responsible for hundreds of people...
US driving limit is quite irrelevant here since it happened in The Netherlands. I understand that the US high limit is partially down to the car culture when you usually don't have other option than driving so it's meant to accomodate a glass or two with your dinner. Many EU states have zero policy for driving. In case of NL it's 0.05. It's reasonable that flying a plane and being responsible for hundreds of people is subject to stricter requirements. Drinking alcohol isn't necessary, you can easily skip it on the last night of the layover.
"We are primarily here for your safety,,." except when the passengers are stone cold sober and you are not able to operate the emergency exits, slides, or rafts.
Not surprised at all. Airlines pilots l, flight attendants. and railroad .have highest numbers of alcoholics.
I'm curious your sources. According to this and other sources, airline workers don't make the top 10 professions suffering from alcoholism. That's not to imply that it's not a problem - it is. But I researched your comment and came up with several sources, none of which mention airline workers.
Top 10 Jobs With Highest Addiction Rates
https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/jobs-highest-addiction-rates/
Having no experience or understanding of these tests I am curious of the accuracy. I mean, at this level, the FA would barely be able to walk. Seems strange. Further, that no other crew member would have noticed or been concerned?
Breathalyzer tests are accurate to within .02%, and for the US DOT a test reading 0.02% or below is considered negative. In the US, a positive test must be repeated within 15 minutes for confirmation. No idea what the standard is in the Netherlands for a retest.
At 0.14% BAC someone who regularly drinks a few drinks a night wouldn’t necessarily be stumbling. Above 0.20% even the most seasoned drinker would probably visibly appear drunk...
Breathalyzer tests are accurate to within .02%, and for the US DOT a test reading 0.02% or below is considered negative. In the US, a positive test must be repeated within 15 minutes for confirmation. No idea what the standard is in the Netherlands for a retest.
At 0.14% BAC someone who regularly drinks a few drinks a night wouldn’t necessarily be stumbling. Above 0.20% even the most seasoned drinker would probably visibly appear drunk and would definitely have an odor of alcohol. You can usually smell alcohol on someone about ~0.10% so it’s a surprise none of the crew members noticed anything in the lobby or the van. Of course who knows who may have noticed and elected to turn a blind eye.
I would assume breathelizer results have been confirmed with a much more accurate blood-analysis as is standard in the EU.
A friend of mine works for the company creating breathelizers for the German police and we regularly tried them. You can change the results quite a bit with drinking water right before and some breathing exercise. Also if you just drank something before the test the result will be much higher.
Breath fresheners might contain alcohol and affect the results. So person drinking might have used excessive mouth wash or fresheners to mask the alcohol smell and this would impact the results. I tried this out before and it showed a reading of 0.x something even though I do not drink. That’s why blood test is the gold standard
Thanks both for the explanation. Really interesting. So it seems the FA that tested so high is beyond just a drunken party night. It has to be he was drinking right up to before he was caught. In the manner of the Denzel Washington character in that movie.
Breathalyzer is not a precision test. That's why the legal thing measures BAC, which B stands for blood NOT breath.
Never plea guilty to breathalyzer results.
And any amount of alcohol will impact you. So best to not drink at all before you work or drive. And it prevents an excuse for authorities to abuse their power and violate your rights.
Breathalysers are used to convict people in the UK, but not the portable roadside ones. Every police station has a fully calibrated machine that, if you've been arrested at the roadside, you give two more tests on and they use the lowest reading in court (if you're still over the limit). You can request the blood test and sometimes people do, in the hope that their levels drop enough before the medical professional can arrive.
Drug smuggling, stabbings and now drunkenness, looks like Delta needs to rethink its flight attendant work release program.
In other news, Tim Dunn shows up to the comments section 7x over the legal alcohol limit.
and you aren't smart enough to figure out that the more you say, the more you elevate his position.
I'm here to elevate Tim's position.
The internet needs someone like Tim to represent the 2nd percentile.
Full of fluff.
Full of confidence.
None of substance.
We save the 1st for the pedophile alphabet poop reader.
Why was Tim Dunn fired by Delta?
he wasn't
You can't explain why someone that supposedly worked for Delta was fired by them but ends up spending more time defending them.
Makes no sense but you don't.
All you do is to elevate his profile on social media.
If your intention is to keep him off off of aviation, you don't do a good job.
Considering Tim's historical contributions.
When he denies something, it's the opposite . i.e. Tim says UA is not profitable on international routes. Right, everyone except Tim says that.
When something makes no sense to him, it actually make sense. i.e. How can AA flagship lounges be better than SkyClub.
So when Tim says he's not fired by Delta and make no sense to defend Delta.
We all know what it actually means.
And no,...
Considering Tim's historical contributions.
When he denies something, it's the opposite . i.e. Tim says UA is not profitable on international routes. Right, everyone except Tim says that.
When something makes no sense to him, it actually make sense. i.e. How can AA flagship lounges be better than SkyClub.
So when Tim says he's not fired by Delta and make no sense to defend Delta.
We all know what it actually means.
And no, we're not trying to keep Tim out of aviation. On the contrary, we need Tim to remind us how great Delta is. Because lately, I need a lot of it to keep me flying Delta. I need a lot more Tims, maybe at least 10 Dunns to make me want to keep Diamond.
Without Tim, I'm Dunn with Delta.
you mean, because you don't like the fact that UA's profits aren't what you think they are, Tim is making something up.
You can't explain why UA's overall system profits were $2 billion less than DL's in 2023.
UA isn't returning to the same mistakes it made across Asia in the winter of 2023-24. Its own CEO said their rate of growth would slow over the Pacific as it did in 2023 over the Atlantic....
you mean, because you don't like the fact that UA's profits aren't what you think they are, Tim is making something up.
You can't explain why UA's overall system profits were $2 billion less than DL's in 2023.
UA isn't returning to the same mistakes it made across Asia in the winter of 2023-24. Its own CEO said their rate of growth would slow over the Pacific as it did in 2023 over the Atlantic.
DL isn't the greatest. Other airlines are just not as great as DL and shoot themselves in their own foot. When someone points out why the industry works the way it does and which everyone else except you can see, the issue isn't them but you.
you make your choices about how you spend your money.
Show up drunk to work for an airline in Europe and you will get arrested and likely fired when you get home. A union won't save your job.
Those of us who have followed for a while know good and well why he was fired, though many of us do refrain from pointing this out based on common courtesy.
But alcoholism is a serious problem within the industry for current/former workers, and it is only right and decent to support people where they are!
Headline should be: Delta flight attendant shows up to work happy
you have no idea what you are talking about. those are far from shockingly high. and plenty of people have those levels with no visible signs of intoxication.
bullshit
This story advances the hobby how?
It's industry talk. Lighten up.
The content was clear from the headline. You do know you're not obliged to read stories that are of no interest to you?
0.143 is a high BAC.
"0.120 to 0.200 – Your speech is slurred and you experience mood swings from happy to sad. At this point loud outbursts are likely. Ability to control your vehicle, staying in proper lanes and braking are severely influenced."
She was drunk, and her breath would have reeked of alcohol. She's gonna get fired, and rightly so.
Any chance she may need help?
A high chance. She can use her unemployment downtime to seek professional assistance with her drinking and reflect on the consequences of her life choices.
Was it the return carrying the stowaway back to JFK ? lol
Hilarious!
If they waited an hour, the FA with BAC 0.024 would probably have been under the limit. Could they then operate the flight legally?
you would think with all of the focus that Ben has on Delta over the past 24 hours, he would have found out that Delta has come to an agreement with AUS to operate a high teens number of gates in the new concourse and a stepwise increase in gates between now and when that concourse opens.
Sounds very dull.
given that Delta operates about 50 flights/day at AUS now, has overtaken AA as the 2nd largest airline, and has built hubs at SEA, LAX and BOS over the past 10 years and has strengthened its dual hubs at JFK and LGA, it will not be dull for the industry as DL builds yet another hub in a region where other carriers were stronger.
you're such a dickhead
show us on the doll where Timmy hurt you.
Perhaps it is, once again, calling you out for acting as if you discover something new for the first time and call it your own while not providing justification for the statements you do make.
If you want to be a backdoor gossip that simply amplifies whatever you here, you will be treated as such.
If you want to be regarded as a genuine contributor to aviation, cite your sources.
Timbits, I'll keep this in simple words so that even you can understand: We. Don't. Care. About. Austin.
Another off topic diversion. Consistency is key, and you’ve nailed it.
Diverting the topic away from criticisms of Delta in Tim's stock in trade.
That is a cheap shot at Ben who writes a stellar blog. Why don't you take your disparaging comments and inane Delta propaganda to your own blog instead of constantly posting in the comments of his blog.
No. It is not a potshot. Ben is a big boy that can defend himself if he sees the need.
There’s a lot going on with Delta.
International is a bright growth spot but so is domestic
No other airline has opened as many hubs post 9/11 than Delta.
Both stories are important.
look up and see what the actual subject of the article is you douche
@dkswans I asked Tim why he doesn’t have his own blog the other day. Like all direct questions asked of him, he ignored it. He certainly isn’t shy about pointing out all the “problems” with OMAAT.
I really don’t know why he doesn’t have his own blog, and I’m not being sarcastic in saying this. He is well-spoken/written, a prolific writer and stands behind what he says, generally to a fault. He tends to make...
@dkswans I asked Tim why he doesn’t have his own blog the other day. Like all direct questions asked of him, he ignored it. He certainly isn’t shy about pointing out all the “problems” with OMAAT.
I really don’t know why he doesn’t have his own blog, and I’m not being sarcastic in saying this. He is well-spoken/written, a prolific writer and stands behind what he says, generally to a fault. He tends to make his points in an obnoxious way here in the comments, but there are often decent arguments and logic behind his words. A Tim Dunn blog would be the perfect forum for it rather than diversionary comments here.
How is it that you miss the good things that I say about Ben?
And I find it hard to believe that you think I am finding fault by noting a different subject
Some of you are the ones that work overtime to find something negative to say.
And Delta will grow domestically and internationally
@Timamtrack He ignores because he cannot handle the truth which is usually that he is wrong.
I really think everyone should start ignoring Tim and just let him talk to himself. The more attention he gets, the more he keeps bullying Ben. This is a very scary behavior…
I've said for months if not years that all I want to do is say what I want to say but a whole bunch of people are totally incapable of controlling themselves and respond to everything I say, only giving me more coverage.
I truly would be happy to be a fly on the wall and just say a few things here and there.
"I truly would be happy to be a fly on the wall and just say a few things here and there."
That's gold Timmy. Pure gold.
I've never seen anyone so incapable of shutting the f up.
He's a sociopath
@JonNYC
You should unblock me from X formerly Twitter. I’m one of the cool kids 2 out of 10 times everytime.
@cairns I was thinking the same thing. He cannot help it either but to respond to others because he is an attention seeker. He loves it. People respond to him just to tell him he is wrong and that he needs to shut it.
@ Tim Dunn once again completely sidestepped and took what I said out of context. Like I said, you’re nothing if not consistent.
"I truly would be happy to be a fly on the wall and just say a few things here and there."
Daddy, I speak for everyone on here when I say: We all wish you would fly INTO a wall!
Then I can get my rightful inheritance!
@dkswans exactly correct. I pointed out before too about how Tim D loves to take cheap shots at Ben. It may be to make up for his own insecurities. Now, that would make Tim Dunn much more understood.
You have to wonder how hard Tim m@sturbates when someone replies to one of his comments.
you have to wonder why some people including Aaron are so incapable of understanding that all they do is give more air time to the person they say they want to hear/see less of.....
my thesis is correct. Some people are incapable of controlling themselves. Throwing a little red meat out has managed to turn this sub-thread into the longest on the article - and it says nothing about drunk FAs.
some things won't change......
you have to wonder why some people including Aaron are so incapable of understanding that all they do is give more air time to the person they say they want to hear/see less of.....
my thesis is correct. Some people are incapable of controlling themselves. Throwing a little red meat out has managed to turn this sub-thread into the longest on the article - and it says nothing about drunk FAs.
some things won't change... Jon will steal everything he can and call it his own, Gary and Ben who are both desperate for content will fall for it, and DL will grow and create new hubs while AA can't even operate half of its hubs profitably and UA can't get Boeing to deliver the hundreds of new planes that Boeing promised.
And DL will find employees that will do the job... and stay sober.
it's not like alcohol was just invented during covid.
I'm here to elevate Tim Dunn.
Tim is needed in the 2nd percentile.
Tim, you are the red meat.
Jon is doing like what everyone on Twitter is doing. He just has more exposure.
Gary and Ben didn't 'fall' for it but they actually 'capitalize' on it.
DL will grow and create new hub, just like Doug Parker says AA will never lose money again.
The only true statement so far, UA can't get Boeing...
I'm here to elevate Tim Dunn.
Tim is needed in the 2nd percentile.
Tim, you are the red meat.
Jon is doing like what everyone on Twitter is doing. He just has more exposure.
Gary and Ben didn't 'fall' for it but they actually 'capitalize' on it.
DL will grow and create new hub, just like Doug Parker says AA will never lose money again.
The only true statement so far, UA can't get Boeing to deliver planes. Not that any airline will acquire Boeing in the future.
And COVID has nothing to do with this but Tim some how brings it up.
Also, "fly on the wall and just say a few things here and there."
Your fly on the wall is larger than the elephant in the room and if 20 paragraphs with 10000 words is a few things, then the whole bible is just a few things here and there.
Alcoholism soared during Covid but didn’t start then
Delta will find people that can and will do it’s work by its standards
Delta has built new hubs and will keep doing it
If I am the red meat then you and others are the rabid dogs that can’t walk away
Ben is smart enough to let me do my thing and for you to do yours
"my thesis is correct. Some people are incapable of controlling themselves."
Irony is really lost on you.
Where should I send the tissue paper?
It is moments like this when Delta crew realise that perhaps unions have some benefits after all...
no. Unions don't get you off of breaking the law.
To even think otherwise is simply falsehood.
Unions can negotiate contractual provisions that ensure their members don't have to undergo testing abroad (ie. no fault refusals to fly if selected for random testing)
So you think they should have been allowed to fly whilst completely pissed? It’s the law of the land which must be respected. The union has no jurisdiction to override laws in other countries
No, but unions can assist with getting an employee assistance. Even if they don’t actually have a drinking problem and this was “bad luck” unions at some companies have successfully lobbied for people to get their job back after completing a treatment program.
A union overriding foreign country law LOL
No. They. Can’t.
Thank you for confirming that anything can be said on the interest. Truth is optional.
The laws of countries apply.
Pilots have been stopped by governments and jailed. Unions can’t and don’t help
They ain’t pilots though Cletus.
@Tim Dunn - I know specifically of one (now defunct) airline who had a contractual provision that crew who refused to consent to a random drug/alcohol test conducted outside their home country would not be subjected to any disciplinary action by the company. No test = no failed test.
The worst that can happen in most countries if you refuse to undergo the test is that you will be prohibited from continuing with your...
@Tim Dunn - I know specifically of one (now defunct) airline who had a contractual provision that crew who refused to consent to a random drug/alcohol test conducted outside their home country would not be subjected to any disciplinary action by the company. No test = no failed test.
The worst that can happen in most countries if you refuse to undergo the test is that you will be prohibited from continuing with your flight duties, license/authorisation may be suspended from operating within that jurisdiction, and a fine may be levied. There has been at least one such case in the Netherlands itself where a unionised US carrier employee refused a test and was subsequently fined and barred from serving as a crew member within EASA jurisdiction for 5 years, but retained their job with the airline in question.
So please don't lecture me about truth on the internet. Some of us deal with this kind of stuff OFF the internet as well and aren't just keyboard warriors.
your statement is 100% false. maybe check your facts before you pretend to know what you are talking about. Union contractual agreements NEVER take precedence over Foreign laws.
"your statement is 100% false. maybe check your facts before you pretend to know what you are talking about. Union contractual agreements NEVER take precedence over Foreign laws."
Reading comprehension is a thing. What he's saying is, the union can assist with job recovery at the carrier should the person be in violation of foreign law, not that union negotiations supersede the law of anywhere.
Come on people, this isn't difficult.
There's simply no excuse for this behaviour - "I made a mistake!" or "I have an addiction!" are just excuses for violating very clear, internationally enforced laws.
She must be fired, and if she does a treatment program and stays sober for two years, she can reapply for a new position starting at the bottom. No more excuses for failing to follow simple rules.
@Pete
It’s a major American holiday weekend. The flight attendants blew off some steam. The flight continued without them because it was most likely a light load with 100 empty seats and 15 non revs in Delta One. Yes Ofcourse the employees should be disciplined and leading up to termination. I’m sure their lives will go on. So will Delta’s operations.
Thanksgiving and a light passenger load is still not an excuse for showing up to work drunk!
At least now we know Tim was never a union member.
Sean M is correct.
Other unions defend members who would have otherwise broke the law or company rules.
Lazy for work, union has your back.
Excessive use of force, union has your back.
Malpractice, union has your back.
For all the good apples out there, union has your money. You already have your back covered.
Nah. I’m sure a pot of coffee and splash of cold water over the face was in the works. Young people are full of energy. They aren’t operating any machinery.