US Airways chief had DUI arrests in past

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- US Airways has confirmed its chief executive officer was involved in alcohol-related violations in his 20s.

Doug Parker was arrested on a drunken driving charge on Jan. 31 hours after his airline's bid for Delta was rejected, the airline said Friday.

Parker, 45, was pulled over for driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit of 45 mph at 11:30 p.m. after leaving a party at a Scottsdale, Ariz., golf tournament, US Airways said.

A blood test showed Parker's blood-alcohol level was 0.096 percent, above the 0.08 percent legal limit, the airline said in a statement.

Parker told police he had "three beers" over two hours, US Airways spokeswoman Liz Landau told UPI.

Following questions about other convictions, US Airways issued a statement late Friday quoting Parker as saying he was "regrettably involved in three other alcohol-related incidents in my 20s. Two involved driving under the influence (one a misdemeanor) and the third occurred in college while a passenger in a friend's car."

Parker is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 21. If convicted of DUI, he could face 10 days in jail, a suspended driver's license, fines and probation.

He was also issued a civil traffic complaint for speeding.