An airport security screener noticed the man, identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as the plane's captain, smelled of alcohol. A breath test showed his blood alcohol content at 0.087 percent, above state and FAA limits.
Plus, the pilot was carrying an opened alcoholic beverage bottle in his carry-on luggage, according to an FAA spokeswoman. FAA rules prohibit pilots from flying with blood alcohol content above 0.040 percent.
The pilot was about to fly an Airbus A340, which seats about 300 passengers.