Drunk Pilots! We all seen the headlines.Each time we read it, it makes passengers cringe & even more nervous with anxiety. So, how wide of a problem is this? In my 21 years as a pilot including 11 years from air carriers, I only witness it once. That pilot got suspended for a year. I don't believe this to be a wide spread problem. I don't have any proof. However, I do know how hard it is to make it in the field of aviation. I do know how difficult it is to become a pilot, & how much work you have to put into it. Most pilots would not throw their careers away for alcohol. But, it does happen from time to time. What's important to know is that there is no wall of silence like in the police dept. Every pilot has an incentive to turn in unsafe or drunk pilots. For instance, my parents, or girlfriend could be on my company flights at any given time. I need to know that that pilot flying them is the best trained & safest in the company. I would not want my parents, girl friend, or relatives to travel on any buddy pass with a questionable pilot in my company. Its this kind of question that every pilot ask. Also, every interviewer at any airline typically ask that question to themselves before they make a decision to hire a pilot applicant. So, theres no sense getting anxiety over this issue because its a small number if any that may have issues abusing alcohol.