Pulled Over By Police Hours After Delta Bid Rejected

The past couple of weeks haven't been great ones for US Airways CEO Doug Parker. Only hours after US Airways lost its $9.8 billion bid to acquire Delta last month, the news of his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving went public and has been the subject of newspaper reports worldwide.

Parker (right) was arrested January 31 after leaving a company-sponsored event at the FBR (Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc.) Open golf tournament in Scottsdale, AZ, according to the Scottsdale News.

The CEO went on the offensive after his arrest, writing a note to employees before the lab test came back showing a blood-alcohol level of 0.096, above the state's legal limit of 0.08. "I believe it is very likely those tests will come back under the legal limit," he said

After lab results came back Friday, another letter was distributed.

"I will accept the consequences of my actions and I will ensure that it doesn't happen again," he wrote. "Again, I apologize to you and appreciate the hundreds of notes of encouragement that I have received from you already. I have let down all of you and also my family, and that is something I will have to live with irrespective of the outcome."

US Airways spokeswoman Elise Eberwein said Parker told her he was driving two friends home who had too much to drink at the event. He is "embarrassed beyond words and knows more is expected of him," she added.

When he was pulled over, the 45-year-old executive was given roadside sobriety tests by a special Scottsdale DUI patrol, then taken to a nearby police station where his blood was drawn. He was then booked, and his mug shot was taken.

Parker told the officer he had downed three beers in two hours at the event but did not feel impaired. "When asked if I had had anything to drink, I answered truthfully," Parker wrote in one of the memos to employees.

He was then sent home in a taxi. Parker is scheduled to appear in Scottsdale Municipal Court on February 21.

The Arizona Republic reported Friday that Parker was arrested by police in Dallas, TX in January 1991 on suspicion of drunken driving, for which he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of DUI and was given a probated sentence of 30 days in jail, two years probation and a $250 fine.

The bad news didn't stop there, however. US Airways, in following up numerous press inquiries Saturday regarding prior alcohol-related offenses, released this statement from Parker.

"While dated, I was regrettably involved in three other alcohol-related incidents in my twenties. Two involved driving under the influence (one a misdemeanor) and the third occurred in college while a passenger in a friend's car.

"As it relates to my past, I admit that I was indeed irresponsible at times in my twenties. I got my wake-up call long ago as I got married, had kids, and assumed positions of responsibility at work. As I communicated to our employees earlier this morning, my mistake of last week was just that — a mistake, not a trend and I believe that events from 15 and 20 years ago do not reflect on the person I am today.

"Once again, I am extremely sorry for the embarrassment I have brought upon US Airways. I accept full responsibility for my actions and guarantee it will not happen again. I can't do much to change what I did in my twenties but I can make sure that I handle all of this with the professionalism and integrity that I value in myself and that our employees, customers and shareholders deserve. All of our stakeholders have my commitment to do just that."

US Airways made a hostile bid for bankrupt Delta on November 15. and later raised its bid by nearly 20 percent in hopes of swaying the carrier's official committee of unsecured creditors. Creditors rejected the offer on January 31, and Parker pulled the bid within minutes of being informed of the move.

Parker worked for American Airlines from 1986-91, was at Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis from 1991-95, and then joined Tempe-based America West Airlines as its chief financial officer. He became America West's CEO in September 2001 and the carrier acquired US Airways in 2005.

If convicted, Parker could be ordered to pay a $500 fine, spend from one to 10 days in jail, lose his driver's license for 30 days and be put on probation for at least five years.

FMI: www.usairways.com