Trial postponed for pilot accused of being drunk on the job

LONDON - The Lakewood-based pilot charged with being drunk on a Chicago-bound United Airlines flight at London's Heathrow Airport did not appear in court Friday as expected.

Erwin Vermont Washington, 51, was set to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in Middlesex. Instead, his trial was postponed until Jan. 5, 2010 because of a medical reason.

NBC News reports Washington's lawyer informed the court that Washington is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States. No additional information was provided about the treatment.

Washington was pulled shortly before take off from his trans-Atlantic flight on Nov. 9 after being reported by a colleague. The plane, carrying 124 passengers, was set to depart imminently.
Following the arrest, NBC News reports that a United Airlines spokeswoman said: "Safety is our highest priority and the pilot has been removed from service while we are co-operating with authorities and conducting a full investigation.

"United Airlines' alcohol policy is amongst the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation of this well-established policy."