An American Delta Airlines pilot, Lawrence Barbiers Russell Jr, 63, has been sentenced to 10 months in jail in Scotland for reporting to work intoxicated.
He was scheduled to captain a flight from Edinburgh to New York City on June 16, 2023. Russell was arrested after a half-empty bottle of Jägermeister was found in his bag, and his blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of reporting for duty as a pilot while exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit.
Russell's blood alcohol reading that day was at least 49 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, exceeding Scotland's limit for pilots of 20 milligrams.
The court noted the limit for car drivers is 50 milligrams. Russell arrived at Edinburgh Airport's baggage control at 9:15 a.m. wearing his pilot’s uniform.
His bag was manually searched due to the volume of liquids within it, revealing two bottles of Jägermeister, one of which was open and just under half full.
Russell told police he had consumed alcohol the night before.
He failed a breath test and was arrested at 10:12 a.m. and taken to the Livingston Police Office, where he agreed to give a blood sample.
The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits pilots and crew members from consuming alcohol within eight hours of flying and from having a blood alcohol content level exceeding .04 percent when reporting for duty.
Russell was remorseful for his actions and the impacts on the company and passengers.
He was diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder and is now in remission after completing a recovery program for pilots.
His marriage of 35 years was strained, but his wife and two sons have been supportive. Once his sentence is completed, he'll have to apply for a new aviation medical certificate. If granted, he can be reinstated to his former position.