Flying Drunk—A True Story of Redemption

Watching Michael Vick on a 60 Minutes video yesterday reminded me of how few stories of redemption exist about felons who’ve spent time in Federal prison. Generally they are the pariahs of society who can never get more than a minimum wage job and eventually end up back in prison. Once convicted, society puts felons in a revolving door from which there is virtually no escape. So when I hear a tale of redemption, I’m heartened that there is hope for some felons to escape the revolving door and reintegrate themselves into society.

News teams went into great depth...

 

describing Michael Vick’s ill treatment of dogs raised for dog fighting, his subsequent bankruptcy and the auction of his large house in Atlanta. The release of Michael Vick in May 2009 was widely covered in the news, as was his conditional reinstatement by the NFL. Few who’ve seen his 60 Minutes interview question his sincerity. From all appearances, he’s a changed man who accepts responsibility for what he did and now wants to reintegrate himself into society. I wish him well.

A press release about a different story of redemption showed up in my inbox before I attended the AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisc. two weeks ago. Though his story is familiar to most pilots, his name and his epic 10-year struggle to regain a place in society have escaped the limelight of a Michael Vick. In some ways though, his story is even more compelling. Most pilots remember that in 1990 a drunk Northwest crew flew a 727 full of passengers before being arrested at their destination and sent to Federal prison. Now a new book, Flying Drunk, tells the chilling tale of Joe Balzer, the 2nd officer in that crew.

Joe's Story

I vividly remember the 1990 incident and made it a point to attend Joe Balzer’s presentation at AirVenture. Although I love airplanes, I generally have more fun meeting people at AirVenture and learning their stories. Joe’s story was the most compelling and emotion-evoking story I heard the entire week. I’ve since obtained a copy of his book, which I highly recommend.

Joe started his presentation by candidly stating that he and the rest of his crew flew drunk and in the process humiliated himself, Northwest Airlines, his family and pilots. As background, he explained that he had an alcoholic father and that he and his family learned to go along with things even if he didn’t agree. A poignant example was when his crying mother—knowing that it wasn’t safe—still got into a car with Joe and his siblings so that his father could drive the family car while drunk.

Joe details his own drinking in college and how later, recognizing that it was a problem in his life, he gave up drinking. However during his last two weeks of probation as a pilot for Northwest, he became matched up for a 5-day trip with the Captain from Hell. His book chronicles the drinking that resulted, the arrest, his subsequent conviction and details about the time he spent in prison.

Joe's description of his time in prison is gritty, unvarnished and enough to make anyone contemplating crime to resume the straight and narrow path in life. While in prison, he spent time tutoring other inmates. Yet the events were so traumatic that for a period of time he was unable to focus enough to read or comprehend a book.

Flying Again

As bad as prison was, finding a job was no cakewalk. Stripped of all of his pilot ratings by the FAA, Joe had to take all of his checkrides over again. Eventually he was able to find someone willing to hire him to fly, but it was a far cry from the job he had flying for one of the major airlines. After a series of jobs and literally being turned down by every major airline—most of which never acknowledged receiving his application—Joe was hired by a major airline and has been with them for over ten years. He now spends much of his spare time speaking to groups and helping other recovering alcoholic pilots.

Hearing Joe Balzer speak reminded me of meeting Gus in 1975, a pilot for one of the majors who was undergoing treatment for alcoholism. Both Gus and Joe Balzer were lucky. Prior to about 1970, alcoholism was looked upon by the airlines not as a disease but as a moral character issue that invariably resulted in a pilot losing his job. As a result, pilots were unable to seek treatment and fellow pilots helped conceal their alcoholism. Today, more than 4,000 commercial pilots have been rehabilitated through the Human Intervention Motivation Study or HIMS project.

Flying Drunk is an amazing story about one man’s struggle for redemption after falling from grace. But Joe didn’t do it all by himself. Throughout the book he credits people that helped in a variety of ways during low points in his struggle to regain a job flying for the major airlines. Perhaps most inspiring is his persistence in pursuing his goal against all odds. Flying Drunk is a remarkable read and I commend it to you for your consideration.

Comments

[Theodore Savas]

Dear Mr. Trescott,

Thank you so very much for taking the time and trouble to relate Joe Balzer's story. Flying Drunk has the power to help so many people, and you have gone a long way toward making that happen. And you also hit the nail on the head about redemption: Joe's contrition is real, palpably so. Vick's is less convincing.

People can read more about Joe's amazing story here: www.flyingdrunk.com and on our website, with an excerpt from his book at: www.savasbeatie.com.

Thank you.

tps
Theodore P. Savas
Managing Director
Savas Beatie LLC

[Steve]

Thanks for the PIREP on this book. I didn't make it to Oshkosh but would have loved to meet Joe and hear him speak. I'll have to order myself a copy, it sounds like a great read.

[Andrew]

Max- I am surprised at your raving review of this book as it is such a controversial topic. As someone who lost a very dear friend to the carelessness/stupidity/selfishness of a drunken driver I find his actions unforgivable. I will however reserve my judgment until I have had a chance to read his book.

[Max Trescott]

Steve, I too have lost a close family member as a result of the actions of an alcoholic. I agree the author's actions were abhorent. But he does a good job of explaining how things came together in his life so that this occurred and how it destroyed his life for a long time. I think the book offers hope to anyone who has screwed up badly at some point in their life.

[Patrick Flannigan]

Sounds like an interesting read. Sounds like this guy really made a 180 degree turn around with all that he's doing to help others in a similar situation. Its nothing short of amazing that he was able to make it back into the flight deck. I've known guys who have given up on the dream after some general collegiate irresponsibility. I'll have to reccomended this book to them.

Thanks for the review.

[Scott Prouse]

Mr. Trescott,
I would strongly caution you and other readers as to the veracity of Mr. Balzer's reconstruction of the events of Northwest Flight 650. He has taken great liberties in his retelling, and while they make for an interesting story, they will not stand up to close scrutiny. Oprah's experience with James Frey's book, comes to mind.

[COCO GIANCANA]

I worked closely with Joe Balzer at Delta Airlines in the Ft.Laud.airport around late 1980-1982.Joe was my personal friend,I always trusted his character and morals.I was proud to be his friend. He took us for rides in his small plane, gave me helpful advice at Delta, always had a smile for everyone.Joe was the nicest guy I ever met.He wanted to be a pilot more than anything. When he got into trouble in the 90's I was sick for him and the loss of his dream.I tried to find him throughout the years, to no avail. Now that his book has come out, I find it one of THE BEST books I've ever read. If anyone deserves to have his life turn out ok,it's my old co-worker, Joe. I've prayed for him all these years. A picture of Joe and I, has hung on my company's wall for years. If I could have found Joe when he was released from prison, I would have made him the President of my company, without hesitation. He's a "stand up guy" and the most honorable man I ever had the blessing to know. God bless you and your family, my friend.My family and I will be there for you in a heartbeat, if you ever need us.I only wish I found you sooner....
With Love and Friendship,

COCO GIANCANA,President
The Professional's Concierge
Las Vegas, Nevada