A PILOT for Delta Airlines was arrested after being caught over the alcohol limit before he was due to fly from a Scottish airport.
American Lawrence Russell, 63, was searched by airport security officers on June 16 last year before a flight between Edinburgh and New York.
A court heard that two bottles of Jägermeister were found in his luggage, one of which was half full. The airline captain was arrested following a failed breath test.
Russell was remanded in custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to reporting for duty as a pilot while being impaired through drink or drugs.
The court also heard his alcohol level was over double the legal limit, with his lawyer Pamela Rogers providing the court with a medical report of the treatment Russell has been receiving for his alcoholism.
She added that he was "under no illusion" to the seriousness of the offence.
Sentencing has been deferred to later this month for the preparation of reports.
A Delta spokesperson said: “While Delta does not comment on on-going legal cases, Delta’s alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation.”
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