CNN reported that astronauts were allowed to fly drunk on at least two occasions. A special panel studying astronaut health, which found “heavy use of alcohol” before launch that was within the standard 12-hour “bottle-to-throttle” rule.

I never knew that such bottle-to-throttle” rule even existed… According to the the International Herald Tribune, “the level of alcohol in the bloodstream allowed by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau is zero. In Britain, in

contrast, the alcohol limit for pilots and other air crew is set at 20 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.

We have a 10-hour bottle-to-throttle rule,” said a senior pilot for the Cathay Pacific Airways who did not wish to be identified.”

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends 8 hours from “bottle to throttle.” (PDF file).

References:
Report: Drunk astronauts allowed on shuttle. CNN, 7/2007.
Image source: Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.

Original post by Clinical Cases