A Delta Air Lines pilot from Georgia has been sentenced to 10 months in jail after being arrested in Scotland last year for being twice the legal limit for alcohol for pilots before flying a transatlantic route.
Lawrence Russell, 63, was detained at Edinburgh Airport on June 16 before his scheduled flight to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport.
He pleaded guilty to reporting for duty impaired by alcohol and was sentenced in Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The prosecution emphasized the reckless endangerment of passengers and crew, noting Russell’s disregard for safety.
Security personnel discovered two bottles of Jägermeister in Russell’s luggage, one opened and described as “half full.”
Delta confirmed Russell is no longer employed and stated they have a strict alcohol policy.
The flight was canceled, and passengers were rebooked.
Russell failed both breath and blood alcohol tests, with his blood test showing over twice the legal limit.
Reports indicate Russell had previous DUI convictions in the U.S. and had completed alcohol rehab before the incident.
