A troubling incident unfolded Wednesday morning at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport when a Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested for allegedly showing up to work intoxicated.
As reported by Fox News, authorities say David Allsop, 52, of New Hampshire, was taken into custody around 7 a.m., just before he was set to captain Chicago-bound Flight 3772.
Southwest Airlines pilot arrested for DUI after being removed from plane, authorities say
— FOX 12 Oregon (@fox12oregon) January 16, 2025
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According to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Allsop was charged with driving under the influence. His arrest delayed the flight, which eventually departed nearly four hours later, at approximately 11 a.m.
Passengers faced the inconvenience of rebooking on other flights while Southwest Airlines scrambled to address the situation.

Southwest confirmed the incident, stating that Allsop, whose LinkedIn profile identifies him as a pilot, has been “removed from duty.” In a statement to Fox News Digital, a company spokesperson expressed regret over the disruption:
“We’re aware of a situation involving an Employee on Flight 3772 this morning from Savannah. The employee has been removed from duty. Customers were accommodated on other flights, and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans. There’s nothing more important to Southwest than the safety of our employees and customers.”
This incident highlights a rare but concerning scenario where pilots are alleged to have consumed alcohol before taking the controls. The safety of passengers and crew relies on strict adherence to regulations regarding substance use by aviation personnel.

Similar cases have surfaced in the past. For example, in May 2023, Japan Airlines canceled a flight from Dallas to Tokyo after discovering a pilot had excessively consumed alcohol the night before.
Although the pilot didn’t technically violate the airline’s 12-hour pre-departure drinking rule, the company prioritized passenger safety, grounding the flight to evaluate the pilot’s fitness for duty.
A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested and removed from the plane’s cockpit for driving under the influence. Southwest says he was removed from duty. pic.twitter.com/RcqYyYenZh
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 16, 2025
The Savannah incident has sparked an ongoing investigation as authorities work to piece together what led to the alleged misconduct. While Southwest Airlines has assured passengers of its commitment to safety, such situations undoubtedly erode trust in an industry where confidence in crew professionalism is paramount.
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