Random drug testing - Alaska Airlines - Curt Lewis

Alaska airliners describe regulations on drug/alcohol screenings for pilots

Former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of flying under the influence

ANCHORAGE -
A former Alaska Airlines captain has been charged with piloting a commercial plane while under the influence of alcohol.

David Hans Arnston was arrested Wednesday in connection with two flights he piloted in June 2014, both of which had passengers on board, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. After the flights, Arnston was randomly selected for a drug and alcohol test which he failed. He was then immediately removed from duty, the airliner said in a statement Friday.

Arnston is the third pilot to fail an Alaska Airlines drug or alcohol screening in the past 10 years, the company said. Regulations surrounding these screenings are overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration, but it's up to the airlines themselves to conduct the tests.

"It's not just the case of us policing ourselves, we're actually very closely audited," said PenAir Director of Operations Matthew Macri.