Several screeners reported smelling alcohol on the pilots' breath and asked a ground security coordinator to speak with them at the gate. When she noted that there were concerns Cloyd and Hughes were drunk, Cloyd blamed it on bad breath. However, the supervisor had already called the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who then alerted the police.
Pilots undergoing screening reported odors of alcohol emanating from their breath, prompting a ground security coordinator to speak with them at the airport gate. The supervisor became aware that Cloyd and Hughes were suspected to be under the influence and Cloyd claimed it was due to bad breath. Nevertheless, the supervisor had already contacted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who then informed the authorities.