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I've been breathalyzed twice and passed, and immediately sent on my way. Once for driving without headlights on, but it was well lit and I didn't notice. I do agree with minimizing interactions when you believe you are under threat of charges, and personally I would just ask for the breathalyzer *over* the FST, because the cop can't bias a breathalyzer. At a certain point you end up as the guy refusing to roll down a window when he's pulled over. Sure, you have the right to do it, but being a dickhead to a cop *before* the cop has proven to be a dickhead is just conflict-seeking behavior. Most cops are good. Plenty of places in the world where that isn't true, but America isn't one of them, no matter how many bad-cop videos the algorithm feeds you because they think you'll watch more ads that way.

Bitchin' Betty's voice probably went up a few octaves on that one.

Then begin Operation Shoe Clerk Subversion Standardize the part 141 training, shift from existing ESAs to stand alone programs at aviation schools; get more training at these schools before they report to UPT, flight time in something fast (relatively) that can put on Gs to build fast thinking and high SA in a busy mil pattern, etc… basically more UPT just before they report to UPT. I don’t have any tail dragger time but after a PPL, instrument and AMEL courses, could an average student get the endorsement in about 10-15 hours then get another 20-30 hours in something like an Extra 300 (as an example) to get experience in a fast(er), maneuverable aircraft before the T-6 and would that increase the chance for success? I’d rather see UPT resurrected but that is not likely to happen so like aikido, go where the energy is going till you can direct it where you want it to go. Edit: make that a Game Bird 1, read this review and googled training in an Extra 300. Probably too much to use a 300 for initial tail wheel but a Game Bird seems like it could hit all the wickets. https://www.flyingmag.com/we-fly-gb1-gamebird/ in this phase, students first TW qual, then train for two ship form, no form acro just basic maneuvers and fly form to mil bases to train there, form arrivals, overhead pattern, etc…

The refusal includes refusal of any tests, including vehicular/DUI-related. It’s not just jetbridge refusals. So bottom line, you refuse a DUI-related test and your medical is gone for a while. I think that’s complete bullshit, but apparently that’s how it currently is. The FAA really needs to change that approach.

Just to clarify, contrary to my roadside gameplan, I would enthusiastically submit to breathalyzer offered on a jetbridge. Fun story: Pilot is on his way home from a trip, gets a call from a CP asking why he refused his random test. Fast forward several years, and lots of litigation, turns out that the minimum wage, non-English speaker with a clipboard didn’t get the job done that day. I’m guessing that the award didn’t make up for the lost income, and stress of having to litigate the case. Unfortunately he was over 65 when the case finally finished.

That sound

Damn it.

Dibs!

My personal bottle-to-throttle is about double the FOM standard. Just too much money in the pot to call that hand. That said, if I ever do get into widebody international again, I will go full Quaker from CONUS coast-out to clearing US customs. Happy to go hit Oktoberfest or a bottle of wine with dinner up the Italian coast...but only on vacation.

Yeah they're making the heavy guys find out their ops unit after the FTU now. Recent change.