HILTON HEAD, SC - Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment a Southwest Airlines pilot allegedly failed a sobriety test and was pulled from the cockpit right before takeoff.
Pilot David Paul Allsop, 52, was arrested after two officers asked the glossy-eyed airman to prove his sobriety prior to take off from Savannah Hilton Head airport at 7:00 a.m. on January 15th, the New York Post reported. According to a police report, Allsop was removed from the cockpit after a TSA officer reported a crew member appearing intoxicated.
When first questioned, Allsop attributed the smell to nicotine gum he was chewing, police said. The arrest report states that Allsop allegedly failed a sobriety test on the jet bridge and was charged with driving under the influence, ABC7 reported.
The arrest happened with passengers already on board. The Chicago-bound flight Allsop was supposed to be a pilot for was delayed for multiple hours while Southwest searched for a new pilot, officials said.
Video showed Allsop, a New Hampshire resident, exit the cabin door of Flight 3772 and get questioned by the officers. "When was the last time you had a drink?" the police officer wearing the bodycam asked. "Last night," Allsop replied, breaking eye contact with the cop. "About how many hours ago?" the cop asked. "About 10 hours ago," the pilot responds sheepishly. Allsop then denied the officer's request for a field sobriety test, saying with a shrug, "There's no need."
"Well, I can smell an odor consistent with an alcoholic beverage," the officer said. Allsop then attempts to wipe his lips, and an apparent breath mint appears to fall out of his mouth, which he clumsily bends over to try and pick up. He then consented to a field sobriety test, which he failed. The video showed Allsop struggling to walk in a straight line down the jet bridge. He was charged with driving under the influence and was not permitted to fly that day.
"We're aware of a situation involving an employee on Flight 3772 this morning from Savannah," Southwest Airlines said in a statement at the time. "The employee has been removed from duty. Customers were accommodated on other flights, and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans. There's nothing more important to Southwest than the safety of our employees and customers."
Pilot David Paul Allsop, 52, was arrested after two officers asked the glossy-eyed airman to prove his sobriety prior to take off from Savannah Hilton Head airport at 7:00 a.m. on January 15th, the New York Post reported. According to a police report, Allsop was removed from the cockpit after a TSA officer reported a crew member appearing intoxicated.
When first questioned, Allsop attributed the smell to nicotine gum he was chewing, police said. The arrest report states that Allsop allegedly failed a sobriety test on the jet bridge and was charged with driving under the influence, ABC7 reported.
The arrest happened with passengers already on board. The Chicago-bound flight Allsop was supposed to be a pilot for was delayed for multiple hours while Southwest searched for a new pilot, officials said.
Video showed Allsop, a New Hampshire resident, exit the cabin door of Flight 3772 and get questioned by the officers. "When was the last time you had a drink?" the police officer wearing the bodycam asked. "Last night," Allsop replied, breaking eye contact with the cop. "About how many hours ago?" the cop asked. "About 10 hours ago," the pilot responds sheepishly. Allsop then denied the officer's request for a field sobriety test, saying with a shrug, "There's no need."
"Well, I can smell an odor consistent with an alcoholic beverage," the officer said. Allsop then attempts to wipe his lips, and an apparent breath mint appears to fall out of his mouth, which he clumsily bends over to try and pick up. He then consented to a field sobriety test, which he failed. The video showed Allsop struggling to walk in a straight line down the jet bridge. He was charged with driving under the influence and was not permitted to fly that day.
"We're aware of a situation involving an employee on Flight 3772 this morning from Savannah," Southwest Airlines said in a statement at the time. "The employee has been removed from duty. Customers were accommodated on other flights, and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans. There's nothing more important to Southwest than the safety of our employees and customers."
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