NW Pilot Arrested

[FlyingPhotog]

PORT HURON, Michigan (AP) -- An off-duty Northwest Airlines pilot was suspected of driving under the influence of cocaine when he headed the wrong way on an interstate to avoid the U.S.-Canada border and led deputies on a chase, authorities said Sunday.

Investigators said Walter L. Dinalko, a veteran pilot of 20 years, had flown to Detroit Metropolitan Airport Saturday afternoon and then rented a Hummer that he drove about 70 miles to Port Huron.

Dinalko turned around three times on the Blue Water Bridge, apparently changing his mind about heading into Sarnia, Ontario, said St. Clair County sheriff's Lt. A.J. Foster.

He then drove on the wrong side of the bridge and Interstate 94, Foster said.

U.S. Customs agents alerted sheriff's deputies, who closed down the expressway and gave chase, Foster said.

Deputies laid down stop sticks, which flattened the Hummer's tires. Dinalko stopped but refused to surrender to deputies, Foster said.

"He started giving them a hard time, and a tussle ensued," Foster said. Deputies subdued him and found suspected cocaine on the floor of the vehicle and in Dinalko's pocket, the lieutenant said.

What next? :shakehea:

[Tanner_J]

An off-duty Northwest Airlines pilot

I could see bringing this up if he was arrested on the job, but he was off the clock so why's it being brought up here? I bet it happens all the time. This really has nothing to do with his job.

Sure someone could say "Well what if he was drinking on the job." Anything could happen with a what if situation.

[screaming_emu]

pilots are people too and just like any profession there are ones who have issues that need to be dealt with.

[FlyingPhotog]

pilots are people too and just like any profession there are ones who have issues that need to be dealt with.

I thought pilots are requires to pass rigorous physical and mental exams. Someone with issues like this should not be piloting a commercial aircraft. If he has the nerve to put himself behind the wheel while strung out on dope, he may very well have put himself behind the yoke of the aircraft. IMO it's not just a personal issue.

[Egyptian Mafia]

what is the point to put out spike strips when chassing a Hummer...everyone knows that they still are driveable....so why bother...

[Tanner_J]

He was drunk...people do stupid things when drunk, that's why he did them.

[JSchraub]

Why did he rent a hummer

[BA747-436]

Why is an orange orange?

[nwaA330]

I could see bringing this up if he was arrested on the job, but he was off the clock so why's it being brought up here? I bet it happens all the time. This really has nothing to do with his job.

Sure someone could say "Well what if he was drinking on the job." Anything could happen with a what if situation.

Because it shows a tremendous lack of judgment. The drug thing is obvious, but look at everything else he did. Resisting arrest, assault, the list goes on if you read the article. He has terrible judgment, and I wouldn't want this guy flying 200+ people around as the pilot who has final authority over the aircraft, and neither would Northwest. I was amazed when you said this has nothing to do with his job, it has everything to do with his job. Even if NW wasn't notified, they would find out eventually when he quit showing up to work due to being in prison. He's going to be gone for a long time. He will have multiple felony's from this. This kind of thing may happen in other professions all the time, but not to pilots, that's what made it newsworthy.

[screaming_emu]

I thought pilots are requires to pass rigorous physical and mental exams. Someone with issues like this should not be piloting a commercial aircraft. If he has the nerve to put himself behind the wheel while strung out on dope, he may very well have put himself behind the yoke of the aircraft. IMO it's not just a personal issue.

Actually physical exams aren't all that rigorous. There used to be lots of psychological test and such, but those things cost airlines money...so there goes that idea.

I agree that he shouldn't be flying any kind of plane, but putting the focus like that does nothing but hurt problems like this. Having the fact that if you admit to a problem like this and seek help, you may be banned from flying forever really makes people less likely to go get help. Is this selfish? You bet, but I'd be willing to bet if you had some issues that you knew would get you fired from your job if you went to seek help, you'd at least think twice about it.

Again, not saying its right, but I'm saying that's how it is. I'm positive that there are tons of pilots out there with issues that need to be resolved, but due to the mentality of the FAA and the public being "we're out to get you" instead of "we'd like to help you", that's just how things are.

[Crunk415balla]

Cocaine's one helluva drug.

[Christobal65]

Actually physical exams aren't all that rigorous. There used to be lots of psychological test and such, but those things cost airlines money...so there goes that idea.

I agree that he shouldn't be flying any kind of plane, but putting the focus like that does nothing but hurt problems like this. Having the fact that if you admit to a problem like this and seek help, you may be banned from flying forever really makes people less likely to go get help. Is this selfish? You bet, but I'd be willing to bet if you had some issues that you knew would get you fired from your job if you went to seek help, you'd at least think twice about it.

Again, not saying its right, but I'm saying that's how it is. I'm positive that there are tons of pilots out there with issues that need to be resolved, but due to the mentality of the FAA and the public being "we're out to get you" instead of "we'd like to help you", that's just how things are.I dont know about the rest of the country but in CA (I think its actually part of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which would make it national) it is against the law to fire someone if they come to their employer and ask for help with an adiction. The moment you go to the employer and ask for help you become a protected party. However if you do not ask for help and are caught well theres no protection for that.

[Tanner_J]

Because it shows a tremendous lack of judgment. The drug thing is obvious, but look at everything else he did. Resisting arrest, assault, the list goes on if you read the article. He has terrible judgment, and I wouldn't want this guy flying 200+ people around as the pilot who has final authority over the aircraft, and neither would Northwest. I was amazed when you said this has nothing to do with his job, it has everything to do with his job. Even if NW wasn't notified, they would find out eventually when he quit showing up to work due to being in prison. He's going to be gone for a long time. He will have multiple felony's from this. This kind of thing may happen in other professions all the time, but not to pilots, that's what made it newsworthy.

HE WAS DRUNK! Once again, people do stupid things when they drink? Personally I do not drink, but all you have to do is watch the news to see that people do stupid things when drunk.

This has nothing to do with aviation, and does not belong in this forum. Cops are arrested all the time off the job, every other profession has problems like these. Not a big deal.

[screaming_emu]

I dont know about the rest of the country but in CA (I think its actually part of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which would make it national) it is against the law to fire someone if they come to their employer and ask for help with an adiction. The moment you go to the employer and ask for help you become a protected party. However if you do not ask for help and are caught well theres no protection for that.

Its not usually the company's decision. When you get an FAA medical exam (which airline pilots are required to get every 6 months) they ask about a history of mental heath issues, drug addictions, etc. Usually if there's much on there related to those to you're not going to get a medical issued. Without a medical, you can't fly.

Again, I agree that someone who might be depressed, or has some drug problems shouldn't be in control of an aircraft, but it is quite possible for someone to overcome these problems, but in most cases, the FAA isn't going to give you that medical, so you're going to be let go by the company.

The FAA has gotten a bit better about special issuances of medicals for people who have overcome certain issues (eye surgery is a good example) but its hardly as good as it should be.

[nwaA330]

HE WAS DRUNK! Once again, people do stupid things when they drink? Personally I do not drink, but all you have to do is watch the news to see that people do stupid things when drunk.

This has nothing to do with aviation, and does not belong in this forum. Cops are arrested all the time off the job, every other profession has problems like these. Not a big deal.

I don't understand how "being drunk" constitutes committing crimes, especially when he was driving his car drunk. And if he was drunk then obviously he's getting a DUI/DWI which directly relates to aviation. He has to report that to the FAA within 60 days of the conviction I believe. If Northwest doesn't hear about it from some other source, then Northwest would definately be notified when this pilot is stripped of his certificates and ratings by the government. What good would be employed at Northwest as a pilot be if you had no ratings or certificates? That's how this works, read the FAR/AIM. It's not about if the company should know about it or not. Whether they should know or not doesn't matter... but they will eventually because of the FAA's regulations put in place. And once again, when have charges ever been dropped off of somebody because "they were drunk."

[Tanner_J]

My point is why is this being discussed here? Who the hell said it constitutes commiting crimes. It happens everyday, everywhere. Statistics show 1/4 every four people on the road is driving after having drank something at night. I hope you're reporting on these people who get arrested on their own respective forums dealing with their profession.

[nwaA330]

My point is why is this being discussed here? Who the hell said it constitutes commiting crimes. It happens everyday, everywhere. Statistics show 1/4 every four people on the road is driving after having drank something at night. I hope you're reporting on these people who get arrested on their own respective forums dealing with their profession.

Uh for one I'm not a journalist, and I'm not "reporting" on this. Buddy I'm not ragging on you, you're getting quite defensive. There isn't even anything to argue about here. The FAA creates regulations which make instances like this quite a big deal in the aviation world, whether you're on the job or not. Like I said you have to report these convictions to the FAA. As far as I know, there is no government agency that oversees for example, accountants, like the FAA. They don't have to report anything if they don't want to, but even in that case, I'm sure the employer will find out. It's public knowledge for an employer. If your an accountant and you do your drugs, the worst thing you can do besides killing yourself is having a meeting with a client while high. If you're a pilot, the worst case scenario is killing yourself and a planeload of people. Simply stated, there are some professions that are held to a higher standard in decision making, honesty, and judgment. A professional pilot is one of them.

[Tanner_J]

Sure, my point was with my original post is who cares? How does this affect the aviation industry? It doesn't. It happens all the time. Your original post was saying that is shows an extreme lack of judgment. He had nothing to do with aviation at the time, so why is it being discussed here.

I for one am actually a journalist so I look alot deeper into things than I should. People are innocent until proven guilty in the journalism world. So all these alleged actions really don't mean anything until he is convicted.

[screaming_emu]

NWA330, just a heads up. Life outside the UND bubble isn't as black and white as they tend to make you think it is. This holier than thou "I went to UND Aerospace" attitude is what makes people in the industry dislike flying with some of our grads. It is a great school, but life in aviation is more complicated than right vs wrong. Again, should this guy have been flying with the kind of issues that made him do what he (allegedly) did? Absolutely not. But he's a person who obviously has come on hard times and doesn't need a 20 something year old criticizing him. Not picking on you specifically as you seem like a decent guy, but if you drink too much UNDAid it'll get the best of you.

[atcvector]

I could see bringing this up if he was arrested on the job, but he was off the clock so why's it being brought up here? I bet it happens all the time. This really has nothing to do with his job.

Sure someone could say "Well what if he was drinking on the job." Anything could happen with a what if situation.

Lets see here. Aviation oriented web site, a pilot for one of the worlds biggest airlines arrested for drugs. Why would it not be brought up here?

Would you get on an airplane with this man? This has nothing to do with his job... Right?

[nwaA330]

NWA330, just a heads up. Life outside the UND bubble isn't as black and white as they tend to make you think it is. This holier than thou "I went to UND Aerospace" attitude is what makes people in the industry dislike flying with some of our grads. It is a great school, but life in aviation is more complicated than right vs wrong. Again, should this guy have been flying with the kind of issues that made him do what he (allegedly) did? Absolutely not. But he's a person who obviously has come on hard times and doesn't need a 20 something year old criticizing him. Not picking on you specifically as you seem like a decent guy, but if you drink too much UNDAid it'll get the best of you.

Haha why do you assume that I cherish UND that much? Be careful about that assumption. I cant stand flying up here, but my choices were limited, it's cheaper than other schools, it's close to home, and it seems to have quite good relationships with airlines for hiring. I appreciate your advice in telling me not to listen to everything they say here, there are a lot of kids up here who fit the profile that you think I have, and they aren't very fun to talk to. Trust me, I'm not one of those people. These are my own personal views on this subject in this thread, which yes, even at the age of 20 I am capable of having. Not something UND has forced upon me. I'm not that much of a puppet where they need to tell me that flying and drugs and alcohol don't mix. I don't think I ever criticized him personally, but based on the accusations, I think it's a scary incident. But you're right, if I was in his position I actually wouldn't care about what anybody said about me either, not just the people under 30 or whatever age you think is ok to have an opinion. Like I said before, I think professional pilots are held too a much higher standard than other professions. Doctors, police officers, maybe politicians, all are held to high standards as well, and I would view this incident the same way if a doctor was involved instead, and I don't say this just because I go to UND. I don't mean to snap back at you, Emu, but I'm not one of those people who brags about going to UND, so I got offended and pissed.

[FlyingPhotog]

HE WAS DRUNK! Once again, people do stupid things when they drink? Personally I do not drink, but all you have to do is watch the news to see that people do stupid things when drunk.

This has nothing to do with aviation, and does not belong in this forum. Cops are arrested all the time off the job, every other profession has problems like these. Not a big deal.

He was a drunk PILOT who was also strung out on COCAINE. Because he's a commercial pilot, it's worthy of the forum. If you don't like the thread, stop reading and replying.

[Tanner_J]

Who said he was strung out on cocaine? Suspected cocaine and actual cocaine are two different things. For all you know he could have dropped a mint on the floor and stepped on it. Even though it probably was cocaine, nothing says he was on it. Just alcohol, which that's alleged too as of right now.

Someone can drink heavily and do what they want off the job. Now if they do it on the job, that's a completely different story. So would I fly with this guy? Certainly. If he was strung out on cocaine or drunk on the job, it would most definitely be noticed. Hate to tell you this, but you probably work with people everyday who do drugs and/or drink heavily. It does not always affect the way they work.

[FlyingPhotog]

Hate to tell you this, but you probably work with people everyday who do drugs and/or drink heavily. It does not always affect the way they work.

But I'm not putting my life in their hands. Why are you defending this pilot?

[screaming_emu]

Why are you defending this pilot?

because I think you're being overly critical. Again, he's not in any shape to be flying an airplane, but with your being all dramatic you make it sound like he's a lost cause. Little quick to rush to judgment based on a little news clip. I think if anything is newsworthy about this article is that its sad that whatever was wrong in his life made him do this and pretty much ruin his life.

[FlyingPhotog]

because I think you're being overly critical. Again, he's not in any shape to be flying an airplane, but with your being all dramatic you make it sound like he's a lost cause. Little quick to rush to judgment based on a little news clip. I think if anything is newsworthy about this article is that its sad that whatever was wrong in his life made him do this and pretty much ruin his life.

I'm not saying the guy doesn't deserve another chance in his life, however, IMO he doesn't deserve another chance in the cockpit. He obviously made a huge mistake, for which he will be reminded the rest of his career. Other members would do the same if it were a WN pilot, perhaps even more.

[ptbodale]

Drug addiction, like alcohol addiction is an illness and employees cannot be fired for this. They have to be sent for treatment. If it is a cronic problem and the employee continues to break any restrictions placed on them then they can be fired.

[FlyingPhotog]

Drug addiction, like alcohol addiction is an illness and employees cannot be fired for this. They have to be sent for treatment. If it is a cronic problem and the employee continues to break any restrictions placed on them then they can be fired.

We don't know whether he's an addict or not. It may have been a 1-time deed. Northwest may have to keep him as an employee, but I wonder if the FAA can revoke his pilot's license?

[Tanner_J]

But I'm not putting my life in their hands. Why are you defending this pilot?

You don't know that. The driver of your taxicab, the bus you're riding in, you don't know who's doing what. Hell to an extent you're putting your life in someone elses hand when you're driving your car. Who's to say the car driving in the opposite direction isn't going to cross the line and slam into you head on?

Why am I defending him? I'm not. What he did is wrong. What I am trying to show people is that these forums have a huge problem of people writing people off and saying horrible things over things they have no business to do so.

You do not know the pilot, so why judge him? I'm not saying you do everything I said above. It's the fact that this forum needs to realize not everyone is perfect, and it's not their job to criticize them, worry about yourselves!

For example when Anna Nicole Smith died, people were saying things like "great, she's finally gone." My response to that was what the hell did she do to any of you?

Why would the FAA revoke a pilots license for something not related to aviation? I truly do not know, so inform me.

[screaming_emu]

You don't know that. The driver of your taxicab, the bus you're riding in, you don't know who's doing what. Hell to an extent you're putting your life in someone elses hand when you're driving your car. Who's to say the car driving in the opposite direction isn't going to cross the line and slam into you head on?

Why am I defending him? I'm not. What he did is wrong. What I am trying to show people is that these forums have a huge problem of people writing people off and saying horrible things over things they have no business to do so.

You do not know the pilot, so why judge him? I'm not saying you do everything I said above. It's the fact that this forum needs to realize not everyone is perfect, and it's not their job to criticize them, worry about yourselves!

For example when Anna Nicole Smith died, people were saying things like "great, she's finally gone." My response to that was what the hell did she do to any of you?


Exactly what I'm saying.

[FlyingPhotog]

Why would the FAA revoke a pilots license for something not related to aviation? I truly do not know, so inform me.

To me it would not make sense to allow someone who can't drive (if convicted) to fly an aircraft, especially a commercial aircraft.

I'm just wondering if it's something they could or would do... In Texas at least a driver loses his license if convicted of a DUI. I don't know if it would affect his pilot status or not. I was asking a simple question, not making a suggestion.

[screaming_emu]

IMO he doesn't deserve another chance in the cockpit.

if everyone who has made a bad life decision was banned from the cockpit, AMTRAK would be doing better financially. I say if this guy can get his life turned around and can learn from his experience, I'd be more than happy to fly with him.

I used to think exactly the way Paul and NWAa330 do until I went to a speech by a former Northwest pilot who was arrested in Minneapolis after he and his crew flew in from Fargo while drunk. He didn't try to make excuses, he didn't say it was ok, he said he was wrong, he had a problem, and he was extremely sorry for what he did. After he was arrested he was stripped of all his licenses/ratings and put in jail for quite a while. While there he worked really hard to rehab himself and get his life back on track.

When his licenses were revoked, the FAA took the very rare approach and revoked them permanently. Usually it is only for a few years. When he got out, he focused so much on turning his life around that the judge who was so disgusted he revoked his licenses permanently decided to relax the revocation and allowed him to earn all his ratings back. He started again at his private license, moved on to his instrument rating, etc.

Again, the last thing NWA wanted to do was have "NWA allows drunken pilot to return to work" smeared across the headlines. Yet their management was also so impressed they hired him back, again he had to start from the bottom. He ended up getting involved in a program to help other pilots who have similar issues while working there. He worked his way to the top and retired as a 747 captain.

He said that what he went through to get his life in order again was the most difficult thing he had ever gone through. Because of this he knows that anyone who has gone through that is more dependable and trustworthy than most who have not recovered from some sort of substance abuse. So when he needs to go to the doctor, he specifically seeks one out who is a recovering alcoholic.

My point is that while he shouldn't be flying while he still has whatever issues he has that made him do what he did, if he can get his life sorted out there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't be allowed back to work. Ironically enough while I was typing this, a song came on with the words "even the best fall down sometimes"

[screaming_emu]

To me it would not make sense to allow someone who can't drive (if convicted) to fly an aircraft, especially a commercial aircraft.

I'm just wondering if it's something they could or would do... In Texas at least a driver loses his license if convicted of a DUI. I don't know if it would affect his pilot status or not. I was asking a simple question, not making a suggestion.

They can and here's the rule that allows it

§ 65.12 Offenses involving alcohol or drugs.

(a) A conviction for the violation of any Federal or state statute relating to the growing, processing, manufacture, sale, disposition, possession, transportation, or importation of narcotic drugs, marihuana, or depressant or stimulant drugs or substances is grounds for—

(1) Denial of an application for any certificate or rating issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of final conviction; or

(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate or rating issued under this part.

(b) The commission of an act prohibited by §91.19(a) of this chapter is grounds for—

(1) Denial of an application for a certificate or rating issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of that act; or

(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate or rating issued under this part.

[nwaA330]

That's the regulation I've been talking about this whole time. I will be extra careful and say if he's convicted, the FAA will treat him as an Air Transport Pilot differently than a private pilot I would think. If this happened to a private pilot, I doubt they would see any consequences from the FAA for their first offense. Correct me if I'm wrong emu since you're a CFI i think, but wouldn't an ATP be punished more by the FAA than a private pilot (again if he's convicted)? That's where I get this "professional pilots are held to a higher standard" attitude. And I do feel bad for this guy, he had to have gone through something pretty rough, hopefully he can rebound from this, but looking at the regulation, I highly doubt he will be flying professionally anymore if convicted.

[screaming_emu]

That's the regulation I've been talking about this whole time. I will be extra careful and say if he's convicted, the FAA will treat him as an Air Transport Pilot differently than a private pilot I would think. If this happened to a private pilot, I doubt they would see any consequences from the FAA for their first offense. Correct me if I'm wrong emu since you're a CFI i think, but wouldn't an ATP be punished more by the FAA than a private pilot (again if he's convicted)? That's where I get this "professional pilots are held to a higher standard" attitude. And I do feel bad for this guy, he had to have gone through something pretty rough, hopefully he can rebound from this, but looking at the regulation, I highly doubt he will be flying professionally anymore if convicted.

yeah, usually the FAA is a lot rougher on ATPs and CFIs than everybody else...as they should be.

Again, he's probably done flying professionally, but that really shouldn't be the case in my opinion. If he gets hist life turned around there's no reason he shouldn't be in that cockpit.

[Crunk415balla]

You don't know that. The driver of your taxicab, the bus you're riding in, you don't know who's doing what. Hell to an extent you're putting your life in someone elses hand when you're driving your car. Who's to say the car driving in the opposite direction isn't going to cross the line and slam into you head on?

Why am I defending him? I'm not. What he did is wrong. What I am trying to show people is that these forums have a huge problem of people writing people off and saying horrible things over things they have no business to do so.

You do not know the pilot, so why judge him? I'm not saying you do everything I said above. It's the fact that this forum needs to realize not everyone is perfect, and it's not their job to criticize them, worry about yourselves!

For example when Anna Nicole Smith died, people were saying things like "great, she's finally gone." My response to that was what the hell did she do to any of you?

Why would the FAA revoke a pilots license for something not related to aviation? I truly do not know, so inform me.
Exactally.

He may lose his licence, he may not. He may be fired, he may not. Lets not pretend we know anymore than the press does about this, because at this point, we don't.

And as far as him not being fit to drive, I don't see the logic between that, as they are two very different things. Many private pilots get their PPLs prior to their drivers licences. And if you ask me, driving is much more nerve wrecking than flying. When your flying, you worry about yourself, your passangers, the weather and your airplane. Sure you worry about traffic, but on the ground its not to such an extent. When your driving, however, you worry about every idiot on the road. I for one never have to worry, when an aircraft is holding short of the runway as I land, that the pilot is going to suddenly shoot out like a moron and cause a runway incursion. However, not a day goes by where a bad driver comes flying out at a redlight or stop sign almost causing an accident.

Driving a car and flying a plane don't exactally go "hand in hand". Especially at the airline level.

[ptbodale]

We don't know whether he's an addict or not. It may have been a 1-time deed. Northwest may have to keep him as an employee, but I wonder if the FAA can revoke his pilot's license?

People using "coke" should not be flying commercial aircraft. I don't know too many poeple carrying coke in their pockets that have used it "once"!

Yes the gov't can take away his licence, just like they do for people with drinking problems. Once his licence has been pulled the airline does not have an obligation to retain him. They can try to find him a non flying job, but they do not have to.

[ptbodale]

We don't know whether he's an addict or not. It may have been a 1-time deed. Northwest may have to keep him as an employee, but I wonder if the FAA can revoke his pilot's license?

People using "coke" or alcohol in a way that it effects their judgement should not be flying commercial aircraft. I don't know too many poeple carrying coke in their pockets that have used it "once"!

Yes the gov't can take away his licence, just like they do for people with drinking problems. The employee has to tell the company he has a problem or he has to be caught. Once his licence has been pulled the airline does not have an obligation to retain him. They can try to find him a non flying job, but they do not have to.

[chrisburns]

It's a shame that people resort to this and lose their lives over it, rumor has it hes the same guy that got kicked off the flight a couple weeks ago in Las Vegas, another hes a DC-9 guy, which is horrible these days, worse working conditions of most pilots, but that doesn't mean he should have done what he did, its not acceptable and NATCO certainly isn't going to take any excuses.