Warm Beer, Hot Wasser?

A Delta Airlines pilot was still in custody Thursday, four days after being detained by German authorities who suspected he was trying to fly drunk. The unidentified first officer was stopped in Frankfurt just before he was due to board the 767-300 for the 4,600 mile flight to Atlanta Monday. "One of the first officers of Delta Flight 27 was detained by local law enforcement representatives in Germany because of alleged alcohol use," said a company spokeswoman quoted by Reuters.

The first officer was taken to a Frankfurt police station and given a blood-alcohol test. A Frankfurt police spokesman said the test results were not yet known. Security officials at the airport smelled alcohol on the pilot according to local media.

Flight 27, carrying 156 passengers, was delayed by the incident, but took off with a captain and one first officer rather than the two scheduled.

A Delta representative said, "Delta has removed the pilot from active service pending further investigation of this matter." Delta refused to issue any other details about the incident.

The first officer faces criminal charges of endangering air safety.

FMI: www.delta.com