What do you do when you suspect a crewmember is under the influence?

• A. Notify the PIC immediately
• B. Keep them away from the airplane
• C. Call the SkyWest Flight Ops MOD
• D. Document the observation later

Answer: (C)

Suspecting impairment in a crewmember is a safety-critical situation that requires immediate, coordinated action through the proper authority. The best move is to call the SkyWest Flight Ops Manager on Duty (MOD) right away. This person is the on-call authority to assess the situation, coordinate any necessary containment or relief of duties, and decide the next steps for the flight, including possible ground or rerouting actions. Escalating to the MOD ensures a formal, policy-driven response and prevents delays or confusion that can arise from handling it informally.

Observations should be reported factually and objectively (what you saw, not accusations), so the MOD can determine appropriate actions. Avoiding immediate action can delay safety measures, and relying on the crew member or keeping them away from the airplane without authorization may not align with procedures. Documenting after the fact is useful, but it does not initiate the necessary safety response in a timely manner.