• A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested for DUI while performing pre-flight checks.
• The incident occurred at a Georgia airport with passengers already on board.
• The pilot displayed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and a strong smell of alcohol.
• Southwest Airlines has stated that the pilot has been removed from duty following the incident.
• The FAA prohibits pilots from flying with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher.

In a disturbing incident at a Georgia airport, a pilot employed by Southwest Airlines was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) while preparing for a scheduled flight to Chicago. On Wednesday morning, as passengers boarded the aircraft for the flight from Savannah, airport police approached the cockpit after receiving a report from a security officer regarding the pilot's condition. The report indicated that the pilot, age 52, exhibited obvious signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the scent of alcohol.

According to the The Guardian, police officers found the pilot seated in the cockpit engaged in pre-flight checks. Upon addressing the situation, officers noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from him, and he reportedly stated that the smell was due to nicotine patches. He claimed to have consumed only “a few light beers” the previous night.

Following a field sobriety test that indicated signs of impairment, the pilot was arrested after he refused a blood-alcohol test. In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines confirmed that the pilot has been removed from duty, stating, “Customers were accommodated on other flights and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans.” The airline's commitment to safety includes adherence to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which prohibit pilots from flying within eight hours of consuming any alcohol and set a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.04, which is significantly lower than the legal driving limit in Georgia.

The pilot was subsequently booked at the Chatham County jail and released on a $3,500 bond. As investigations continue, it is unclear at this time whether he has secured legal representation.

For further details, read the full reports by AP News and The Guardian.