Crews out on thier Jollies

[Cornish-guy]

Folks with the Fairford exercise possobly coming to an end, it got me thinking - I wonder if the flight crews might go out for thier last English pint or three, and when they return to the base and get ready to dapart in the morning, would the pilot and co-pilot get checked over to see if they are sobber enough to fly, and not over the limit while in control of a slightly leathfull Weapon

C.

[Drinkmat]

I don't know what might happen these days but I hope behaviour and attitudes have moved on a little from the early 80's. At TTTE, RAF Cottesmore, if a crew were a little worse for wear they would "walk" ten minutes earlier to the aircraft than they had to, having popped Brufen tablets. Once in the jet, a few minutes on 100% oxygen and they were feeling much better. Not an everyday occurrence, but not rare either on B Squadron.

[reheat module]

Not just the aircrew.
Life in RAFG was brilliant for the beer.
I did numerous ground rus on the Tornado, using the oxygen system to freshen me up.
Multiple EGRs sometimes needed a Lox Pot change at the end.

[Blackcat1]

It's normally 12 hours bottle to throttle ;-)

[page_verify]

You'd probably be surprised at how little Americans drink in general, never mind visiting USAF flight crews, compared to us Brits. It wouldn't surprise me if any of the visiting flight crews don't drink any alcohol until they know their flying for the trip is over. Beer in the UK is twice as strong and twice the price of what most Americans are used to drinking so a trip to a British pub can be quite an eye opener for someone who's not been here before. For similar fear of getting caught reasons, they've often tended to stay clear of British chemists too!

[gyvespa]

I was in a Pub in Great Yarmouth in the early 90's.
One that had Lady Dancers, if you're local you'll know which one.

There was a group from the 501 Tactical Squadron (at least I think its what it said on their shirts).
Good God they were drunk.
Well behaved but thoroughly w*nkered !
I'd have hated to be them the next day.

I'd like to think they weren't doing anything too important for a while.

[page_verify]

I was cautious to make sure I referred to flight crews rather than all USAF personnel I've sat in TDY briefings where some local pubs were made out of bounds to visitors because it'd taken the permanently based Americans some time to become trusted again in some local boozers, ooops!

[bizfreeq]

You'd probably be surprised at how little Americans drink in general, never mind visiting USAF flight crews, compared to us Brits. It wouldn't surprise me if any of the visiting flight crews don't drink any alcohol until they know their flying for the trip is over. Beer in the UK is twice as strong and twice the price of what most Americans are used to drinking so a trip to a British pub can be quite an eye opener for someone who's not been here before. For similar fear of getting caught reasons, they've often tended to stay clear of British chemists too!

I have had many a session in a certain Mildenhall hostelry with U.S. servicemen and women (visitors and based) and believe me they can hold their own! Many of them drink spirits rather then beer but one that we were drinking with recently could really knock 'em back and I am ashamed to say that we had to admit defeat in the packing it in stakes!
I hasten to add that none were on duty the following day and certainly not flying!

[nescafe37]

Its funny but when i go into the local pubs around Lakenheath they all think i am from the base. I not sure how the locals mistake my thick Gloucestershire accent for a US one? Maybe i look like one i dont know. lol

[page_verify]

Especially someone from Stroud, sir

[Sparts99]

Long long ago we had an ATC camp at West Raynham, 85 & 100 Sqn Canberras, B2, T4 and T17, target facilities. I managed to get on the flight line for the week helping re-fuel, polish canopies, replace starter cartridges etc. One pilot turned up in a really bad way, his Nav helped him in the door, we helped him strapped in. After probably 7 or 8 minutes on pure oxygen he was a different man and raring to go, incredible to see.

[paddyboy]

Ye Gods

I thought they were all professionals

You should see the state of some of the younger Posties at 0630

No 2 pupils the same size, so we oldies ALL know what they have been on, dude

[filmman]

I am astounded. I must have led a sheltered life when I flew. We had easy access to alcohol on the field but no one drank until after flying and one did not fly under the influence. It was not professional. As they say there are no old, bold pilots. The Grim Reaper is only too willing to add to his clientele. I find it hard to believe that USAF pilots are not consummate professionals.
Filmman

[Sparts99]

In either 'Lightning Boys' or Lightning Boys2' I can't remember which, there's a chapter about an overseas deployment stuck in Turkey and a late night out.

[effects]

I am astounded. I must have led a sheltered life when I flew. We had easy access to alcohol on the field but no one drank until after flying and one did not fly under the influence. It was not professional. As they say there are no old, bold pilots. The Grim Reaper is only too willing to add to his clientele. I find it hard to believe that USAF pilots are not consummate professionals.
Filmman

Presumably a civvy?

[martmpf]

Spent many a late night into early morning at the Blacksmiths Arms, Rothwell, Lincolnshire with Lightning pilots from Binbrook. That's where I was told about the pure oxygen trick. Apparently quite unpleasant at first, as you "burn" the alcohol out your system. Some leaving about 2am, flying at 6am, too far gone to be driving. But as the local police officer (in uniform) was also with us, that was OK.

[nescafe37]

Especially someone from Stroud, sir

haha you must be local too then lol

[page_verify]

Sadly for those who served in yesteryear, the modern day brings different challenges. The likelihood of air and ground crews being asked for a complete set of bodily fluids after an incident has never been higher, especially as the seriousness of what used to be trivial has never been higher. If you thought the RAF Police using radar to catch its own pilots flying too low was bad, then some of today's world - especially on ops - would surprise you

[Ewart]

Having just done a course where I need to know this. Legal limit for flying is in the case of breath, 9 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Where as driving is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

The likelihood of air and ground crews being asked for a complete set of bodily fluids after an incident has never been higher, especially as the seriousness of what used to be trivial has never been higher.

Likelihood? Nope, certainty.

Attitudes have almost invariably changed. Fingers crossed for the military folk that the only ones who get themselves into the press in hot water are the occasional civilian crew members who are rightly "shopped" by their crew mates and cause no other inconvenience than a delay and financial penalty to their employer airline.