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New Hampshire pilot arrested at Georgia airport for alleged DUI

January 15, 2025

A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested Wednesday in Georgia on suspicion of showing up to work intoxicated shortly before takeoff, police said.

David Alsop, 52, of New Hampshire, was arrested at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport around 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. He was charged with drunk driving.

Allsop was arrested just before Southwest Airlines Flight 3772, bound for Chicago, departed from Georgia. The plane departed just before 11 a.m., about four hours after its scheduled takeoff.

Southwest Airlines told Fox News Digital that it is investigating the incident and that Allsop, whose LinkedIn profile lists him as the pilot, has been “removed from duty.”

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A Southwest Airlines pilot has been arrested on suspicion of coming to work under the influence of alcohol. (Image | Chatham County Sheriff's Office)

“We are aware of a situation involving an employee on Flight 3772 departing from Savannah this morning,” the airline said in a statement. “The employee has been removed from duty.”

Southwest Airlines also noted that Flight 3772 remained grounded, although passengers on the flight were accommodated on other flights.

A spokesperson said: “The customer was on another flight and we apologize for any disruption to his travel plans.” “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our employees and customers.”

Daily activities of airline passengers that are red flags for TSA and may result in detention at the airport.

David Alsop was arrested Wednesday morning, Georgia authorities said. (Chatham County Sheriff's Office)

While it is rare for a pilot to be arrested or arrested for excessive drinking before a flight, it is not unheard of. Last May, Japan Airlines landed the plane The pilot was transferred from Dallas to Tokyo after it was discovered that he had drunk excessively the night before.

Although the captain did not violate internal guidelines prohibiting drinking within 12 hours of departure, Japan Airlines canceled the flight to “evaluate the captain's physical and mental health.”