Both Cited For Public Intoxication; One Dropped Trou

Yep... this is certainly the kind of professional image that aviation needs right now. Two Trans States Airlines pilots were arrested last week, after police in Tennessee responded to a public drunkenness call.

The Alcoa Daily Times reports police answered a call from a local Mexican restaurant Friday night, claiming a patron became belligerent after servers cut him off from ordering any more alcohol. The man also allegedly attempted to start a fight with the restaurant manager.

As officers pulled up to the scene, they found Jeffrey Leon Saltis, 43, outside the restaurant, shorts down, and mooning northbound traffic on the Alcoa Highway. A second man -- Michael Cody Etzel, 25 -- was walking with an unidentified woman, who was trying to take pictures of Saltis'... display.

According to the police report, Saltis told officers he was a pilot for United Express. Trans States Airlines spokesman Bill Mishk confirmed two employees were detained by Alcoa police Friday.

The pilots' identities could not be confirmed, Mishk added, citing confidentiality concerns... but he did say the two employees in question have been removed from the flight line, pending an internal investigation.

Police records state Saltis was charged with public intoxication, and indecent exposure. Etzel was charged with public intoxication.

Now that they have some free time on their hands, perhaps the two men may now ruminate on some helpful advice, given earlier this year by the prosecutor in another case that involved two airline employees who partied a bit too hard, and much too publicly.

"On a public service note, this is what alcohol can do."

FMI: www.transstates.net