Mike Beaton, a British Airways (BA) pilot, was dismissed for bragging to his coworkers about his cocaine-snorting exploits, which included inhaling cocaine off a topless woman and a night of wild orgies.
His negligent behaviour caused an estimated cost of £100 000 and a 24-hour flight delay as the airline scrambled to find a replacement for him.
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In a text message to a stewardess merely hours before he was scheduled to co-pilot a flight from South Africa to the UK, Beaton admitted to being severely intoxicated after an all-night party with a Welsh woman, a Spanish lady and several local men.
The married father-of-one had allegedly bragged to his co-workers about snorting cocaine off a topless woman during a drug and alcohol-fuelled orgy before he was scheduled to fly a packed flight to the UK.
In his texts, Beaton claimed to be so intoxicated that he struggled to lift his head.
He underwent a drug test once he landed in the UK, which reportedly returned positive. BA has released a statement stating that no passenger risk was involved and confirming that the company no longer employs Beaton.
The Daily Mail reported that Beaton was in Johannesburg during his time off when he received a request to assist with a flight back to the UK.
He shared with his colleague that things spiralled out of control after he met a group of people at a nightclub and proceeded to continue the party at a hotel for ‘one last one before bed’ before ending up at someone’s apartment.
A BA spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Safety is always our top priority. The matter was referred to the CAA and this individual no longer works for us.’
The Civil Aviation Authority reported to The Sun that it has strict protocols in place for when pilots abuse drugs and alcohol.
The report read: ‘An airline must immediately inform us if a UK pilot has misused drink or drugs boarding, or being on board, an aircraft.’
‘In these cases we would immediately suspend the pilot’s medical which means they cannot fly.’
‘In most cases the pilot would have an assessment with an expert medical team and if they wished to return to flying then a comprehensive rehabilitation programme would be put in place.’
‘The medical would only be reinstated if we were completely satisfied.’
Beaton’s wife chose not to comment when confronted by reporters, saying, ‘You must speak to my husband about it.’
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