Scotland Busts 2 United Pilots, Says They Were Drunk

Which delayed a flight from Glasgow to Newark
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 28, 2016 6:29 AM CDT
Scotland Busts 2 United Pilots, Says They Were Drunk
In this 2015 file photo, a United Airlines plane at a gate at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Two United pilots were charged in Glasgow on Saturday on suspicion of being drunk.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Police and airline officials say two United Airlines pilots have been arrested for suspected intoxication before they were to fly 141 passengers from Scotland to the United States, reports the AP. United Airlines officials have confirmed Saturday's arrest of the pilots, aged 45 and 35, at Glasgow Airport. The Police Service of Scotland says both men are expected to be arraigned Monday at a court in Paisley, a Glasgow suburb, to face charges connected to Britain's transport safety laws. United said Saturday's flight from Glasgow to Newark, NJ, was delayed for 10 hours while the airline sought replacement pilots.

The pilots have been suspended pending an investigation, United tells the BBC, with a rep saying that safety "is their highest priority." Saturday's arrests come barely a month after two Canadian pilots of an Air Transat plane were arrested at Glasgow Airport and charged with trying to fly while intoxicated. (More United Airlines stories.)

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