THE recent case regarding the alleged drinking of a British Airways pilot and co-pilot beggars belief.

What if there was a near collision scenario with another plane, it does happen, which merited a split second decision, any pilot impaired with alcohol could cost hundreds of lives not to mention the obvious hazards of take off, landing and inclement weather and possible terrorist acts.

As many people fly on a regular basis in this day and age, surely compulsory checks before take off should be introduced, after all you can't pull over a 767 after take off.

I'm sure the vast majority of genuine pilots would welcome this. We the passengers certainly would. Most of us wouldn't go behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol, never mind a Jumbo Jet.

With hundreds of lives at stake no methods could be too stringent or draconian.

BILL WILLIAMS

Covingham