New film ‘Flight’ not flying with pilots union

Critics may be raving about his performance, but Denzel Washington’s portrayal of an alcoholic - albeit highly functioning - pilot in the new film ‘Flight’ does not in any way reflect American pilot standards or common practice, says the Air Lines Pilots Association (ALPA).

Following the release of the film in cinemas, ALPA stressed that although Hollywood could sell tickets through a “compelling character study”, in this case an amoral ‘South Jet Air’ captain, fiction did not “represent a profession in the real world”.

The world’s largest pilot union, ALPA said “the more than fifty thousand ALPA pilots in the United States and Canada embody the highest possible standards of training and professionalism.”

“These standards are borne out every day, as we safely transport hundreds of thousands of passengers and tens of thousands of tons of cargo across the country and around the world,” it stated.

“We all enjoy being entertained, but a thrilling tale should not be mistaken for the true story of extraordinary safety and professionalism among airline pilots.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents nearly 51,000 pilots at 35 airlines in the US and Canada.

Meanwhile, brewer Budweiser is seeking to have its product shots removed from the film, which at one point shows Washington's character drinking America’s most popular beer while behind the wheel.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia