Southwest Airlines Pilot Arrested for DUI

Southwest Airlines pilot David Paul Allsop was arrested at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport shortly before a scheduled flight to Chicago after being suspected of intoxication. Airport police removed the 52-year-old from the cockpit after a TSA officer reported that he smelled of alcohol. Allsop was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and is out on a $3,500 bond, while the airline stated that he has been removed from duty. The incident caused a significant delay for passengers, with the flight departing nearly five hours late. Southwest Airlines emphasized their commitment to safety and apologized for the disruption. FAA regulations prohibit pilots from flying with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher or within eight hours of consuming alcohol.