BRITISH AIRWAYS former pilot William McAuliffe has been sentenced in his absence by a Norwegian court to six months in prison for preparing to fly knowing that members of his crew were drunk. Michelle Giannandrea, chief hostess of the Airbus A320, got 45 days for being drunk on duty. Back in November Oslo airport police stopped a BA flight to London after being warned by ground staff who thought that some of the crew were the worse for wear. Breath tests were undertaken and the service cancelled. McAuliffe tested negative but co-pilot David Ryan not so. His case is pending. BA has zero-tolerance policy on drink-flying, and all three resigned before facing any company disciplinary action. The case is subject to appeal but extradition is possible if they do not surrender voluntarily.