Aeroflot Passengers Revolt Fearing Their Pilot is Drunk

[Matt Molnar]

Passengers in Moscow who had just boarded an Aeroflot 767 meant to fly them to JFK in December began a near riot when their captain slurred his words during his pre-flight announcement. Flight attendants attempted to calm the passengers' fears, telling them it didn't matter if he was drunk because the plane practically flies itself. The captain then promised he would not touch the controls, as there were three other pilots on board. Airline officials who had boarded the plane only relented after the flight's most prominent passenger, TV host and socialite Ksenia Sobchak (often referred to as "Russia's Paris Hilton", seen below), demanded all four pilots be removed. Aeroflot finally summoned new pilots and the flight left three hours late. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 651516.ece (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5651516.ece)

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/06/02/ksenia3606_narrowweb__300x503,0.jpg

[G-BOAD]

This is a difficult situation not knowing all the facts. If he was in fact drunk that is extremely irresponsible on his part, putting the lives of his passengers in danger, and should have his flying certificates revoked. However, if he suffered a stroke, then i sympathizes with him, however, if that is the case he should have seeked medical care and not been on the flight. It is horrendous that Aeroflot believes this practice is ok, and should not have made those statements. If the other 3 pilots were fine i don't see why they need to be removed.

[NYCMedic]

I'm surprised nobody saw this sooner. Is it a KGB conspiracy or medical mishap?

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/aeroflot_drunk_stroke_passenger_captain_slurred_19 9724-1.html