Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(KSL News) -- A flight on its way from South Dakota to Salt Lake City was delayed because the pilot had been drinking.
A security officer reported the SkyWest Airlines pilot smelled of alcohol. Officials called the pilot from the cockpit just before the flight took off.
A blood test confirmed there was alcohol in the pilot's system.
Passengers faced a three hour delay before a replacement pilot took them to Salt Lake... but they didn't seem to mind too much.
Mike Kranz, Passenger: "It doesn't sound very good, it's a good thing they got him before he got on the plane and flew us somewhere."
Todd Barber, Passenger: "There was a little frustration, but I'm not going to let it tarnish what was a beautiful vacation."
The captain is now on administrative leave.
SkyWest says they have a zero tolerance policy for pilots. Authorities say the pilot could face federal charges.
