A Delta Air Lines pilot has been given a 10-month prison sentence for arriving for flight duty well over the legal alcohol limit.
Lawrence Russell Jr had already pleaded guilty after failing a breath test when he was set to pilot a transatlantic flight from Edinburgh to New York.
He was caught by security with two bottles of Jägermeister in his bag, one which was open and ha;lf empty.
The 63-year old was sentenced at Edinburgh sheriff court.
Judge Alison Stirling said a prison sentence was necessary for the ‘protection of the public.’
In sentencing, she said he ‘showed a reckless disregard for the safety of his passengers and crew. The pilot of a commercial aircraft holds the lives of hundreds in his hands.’
“This conviction should send the message that crimes of this nature will be robustly dealt with.”
Defense counsel said Russel is a ‘remorseful’ recovering alcoholic and had two DUI charges in the US.
