The new airline thread

[uhhello]

1 hour ago, Lord Ratner said:

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. 

Does anyone in the states do roadside breathalyzer's anymore?

[Smokin]

To be clear, I don't think you should refuse a breathalyzer if you are told to take it.  What I said, and what ALPA says, is do not offer to take one to 'prove your innocence'.  There is a big difference.

Pulled over on the side of the road by the police, absolutely refuse the invitation to a field sobriety test.  They are not mandatory in any state that I know of and it is a no-win scenario.  I'd be interested to know the stat (probably doesn't exist) on the percentage of people that pass a field sobriety test.  Probably low single digits or a percentage that starts with 0.  The test is 100% subjective and the person grading the test is already convinced you're drunk or he wouldn't ask.  A sober Olympic gymnast could fail it. 

If a cop tells you to take a breathalyzer, there are many states where refusing to do that also is an automatic suspension of your driver's license, which is probably where the FAA got that idea.