Continental Pilot Pulled From Flight, Appeared Unfit

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Continental Pilot Pulled From Flight, Appeared Unfit 'for Duty'

HOUSTON -- A Continental Airlines Inc. (NYSE:CAL - News) pilot was pulled from a flight Tuesday after it appeared he wasn't "fit for duty," the airline said.

The unidentified pilot was stopped at the gate as he boarded Flight 1086, which was going to Orlando, Fla., from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

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Continental Airlines fires pilot after FAA says he tested positive for alcohol

Continental Airlines fired a 15-year veteran pilot Thursday after he was removed from a flight earlier this week and the Federal Aviation Administration said he tested positive for alcohol.

"Continental has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to substance abuse," airline spokesman Jeff Awalt said Thursday. "Continental conducted an investigation and the results of the investigation are confidential."

The pilot, based in Newark, N.J., was removed from the flight from Houston to Orlando Tuesday before it took off. He was dismissed Thursday, a day after the FAA confirmed he had tested positive for alcohol following a confrontation with a federal air marshal who was aboard the flight. The federal air marshal informed Continental following an encounter with the pilot.