A flight attendant from United Airlines was found to have consumed an excessive amount of vodka, surpassing the legal limit by tenfold for flying readiness during a transatlantic journey. Margit Lake, 56, brought numerous small bottles of vodka on the ten-hour flight from San Francisco to Heathrow on October 17. Subsequently, she required medical attention upon landing in west London aboard a Boeing 777.
According to court proceedings, the California-based flight attendant, who had been with United Airlines for 26 years, resigned from her position following the incident. Paramedics detected the smell of alcohol on Lake’s breath, and a blood test revealed her blood alcohol level to be 216 milligrams per 100 milliliters, significantly exceeding the permissible limit.
At the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, it was disclosed that the legal alcohol limit for flight attendants in the UK stands at 20 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood. Lake, admitting to performing aviation duties while intoxicated, received a financial penalty for the offense.
Her defense lawyer, Ben Lansbury, mentioned Lake’s personal struggles, including feelings of isolation, family estrangement, and coping with grief, as contributing factors to the incident. He emphasized her remorse and ongoing attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for support.
Magistrate Tony Delliston informed Lake that the matter would be resolved without involving the crown court, assuring her that imprisonment was not a consideration. Instead, Lake was fined £1,461 along with additional court costs and a victim surcharge.