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British Airways has terminated the employment of First Officer Mike Beaton, a married pilot, after he bragged to colleagues about snorting cocaine off a topless woman during a drug-fueled orgy in South Africa. Beaton's shocking revelations were reported by a concerned co-worker just hours before he was scheduled to co-pilot a flight from South Africa to the UK.
In text messages to a stewardess, Beaton described his night of debauchery, claiming he was so intoxicated that he couldn't lift his head until after 2 a.m. The airline had to delay the flight for 24 hours while seeking a replacement for Beaton, resulting in an estimated cost of £100,000.
Upon his return to the UK, Beaton was subjected to a drug test, which reportedly returned positive results. British Airways has maintained that there was no risk to passengers and confirmed that Beaton no longer works for the company.
Beaton had been in Johannesburg during his downtime and was scheduled to co-pilot the flight back to London. His behavior was considered grossly inappropriate and prompted immediate action from the airline. The Civil Aviation Authority has strict procedures in place for pilots who misuse drugs, including suspending their medical certifications and requiring comprehensive rehabilitation before reinstating their medical status
