If a drunken crew member persists, what is the recommended escalation step?

If a drunken crew member persists, what is the recommended escalation step?

• A. Involve management.
• B. Contact air traffic control.
• C. Document the incident in the flight log only.
• D. Ignore and continue with the flight.

Answer: (A)

When safety is at stake due to a crew member’s continued intoxication, the priority is to get decision-making authority involved so immediate action can be taken. Involving management provides the essential oversight and the power to suspend or reassign duties, arrange replacements, or grounding as needed, and to document and address the incident properly. This ensures not only the current flight’s safety but also formal accountability and future prevention. Contacting air traffic control isn’t the right channel for personnel issues; ATC manages airspace and traffic, not crew discipline. Documenting the incident in the flight log is important for records, but it doesn’t by itself stop the unsafe behavior or ensure corrective action. Ignoring the situation and continuing with the flight is dangerous and unacceptable.

When safety is at stake due to a crew member’s continued intoxication, the priority is to get decision-making authority involved so immediate action can be taken. Involving management provides the essential oversight and the power to suspend or reassign duties, arrange replacements, or grounding as needed, and to document and address the incident properly. This ensures not only the current flight’s safety but also formal accountability and future prevention.

Contacting air traffic control isn’t the right channel for personnel issues; ATC manages airspace and traffic, not crew discipline. Documenting the incident in the flight log is important for records, but it doesn’t by itself stop the unsafe behavior or ensure corrective action. Ignoring the situation and continuing with the flight is dangerous and unacceptable.