An intoxicated JetBlue pilot was removed from the cockpit minutes before a Florida-bound flight took off from New York.
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A police report states James Clifton,52, had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 percent, and federal rules only allow a 0.04 limit for flying. The incident took place on Wednesday morning when the aircraft was preparing for take-off from Buffalo, New York, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to Click Orlando, Clifton appeared to be intoxicated to Transportation Security Administration agents, leading police to remove him from the cockpit and perform a breathalyzer test before the flight.
His copilot explained that they went out for dinner the night before and Clifton stayed behind at the restaurant. He reportedly missed the airport shuffle and arrived late to the airport in an Uber.
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JetBlue said in the following statement that Clifton has been relieved of his duties and added that “safety” is the first priority for staff and passengers.
“The safety of JetBlue’s customers and crewmembers is our first priority. We adhere to all (Department of Transportation) rules and requirements concerning alcohol at all times and have a very strict zero-tolerance internal alcohol policy,”