A British Airways flight attendant has been sacked after being found to be 10 times over the legal alcohol limit while on duty. Julia Casey, 46, was arrested at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after a passenger complained of smelling alcohol on her breath.
Tests two hours after the flight landed on February 21 showed Casey had 201mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, far exceeding the 20mg limit for cabin crew. Initially denying drinking on duty, she later admitted to having 'sneaky drinks'.
At Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, Casey, from Camberley, Surrey, pleaded guilty to drinking while on duty, ending her 21-year unblemished career. The court heard she had been 'self-medicating' with alcohol during a divorce from her husband of 18 years.
Prosecutor Jasper Kaur said a passenger had complained to cabin crew about the smell of alcohol. Casey was subsequently stopped at the crew reporting centre. Defence lawyer Shan Yaqub said there was no suggestion her behaviour was affected, but she had been going through a 'messy divorce'.
Casey was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge. She was convicted of performing an aviation function while impaired by drink.
