Japan Airlines has issued an unusually candid public apology because so many of its pilots have shown up for work drunk in the last few years. The latest was in late August when it was discovered the captain of a flight headed from Honolulu to Nagoya had had a few pops before going to the airport. Removing him from service ended up delaying two flights 18 hours. “We sincerely apologize to our customers and all parties involved for the inconvenience and trouble caused,” the company said in a statement to the Japan Times. “We take this matter very seriously, especially considering that it occurred while we were already under administrative guidance due to multiple safety incidents, including alcohol-related cases, and were working to prevent recurrence.”
Last Wednesday, the airline was hit with a surprise audit by Japan’s Ministry of Transport. Last December the ministry told the airline to shape up after another alcohol incident and some other safety concerns. The airline promised to do better and cut the salaries of its chief of safety and its CEO by 30% each for two months. Last Wednesday they promised again. “We are committed to working as a company to ensure the thorough implementation of measures to prevent recurrence,” JAL said in the statement.
From context, I infer that “had had a few pops before going to the airport” is meant to refer to alcoholic drinks, not “sodas” or “soft drinks” (the more common use of the word “pop.”) I think it would be better to use more clear wording.
Wobbly pops.
Yes, these colloquialisms can be murky…
I’ve always enjoyed ‘knocked a few back’ (hey, watch it!) or ‘consumed his tipple of choice’, (oh, is that European?)
But we just can’t leave out my favorite and the ever popular ‘slammed a few down’ (is everybody ok?) Right?
One aspect I like in JAL’s response is to punish financially the CEO and chief of safety. This suggests some level of true commitment. Too bad that US corporations don’t follow this example.
No airline is immune against alcoholism on its pilot roster. The more you look, the more you will find. Slashing the salaries of CEO and head of safety is a nice symbolic measure of public and political appeasement, but the root of the issue remains intact. Japanese business culture is very very different from what we see in our circus, where CEO’s openly smirk after being caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
The beaten down phrase “The safety and wellbeing of our valued passengers is [Insert Airline Name] UTMOST concern” is as tired as our desire to send thoughts and prayers after coming face to face with pure evil.