DALLAS - Southwest Airlines has removed one of its captains from the cockpit as it investigates whether he was drinking before flying.

A couple of passengers said the pilot smelled of alcohol at the Columbus, Ohio airport on Tuesday.

Police questioned the pilot, who was reportedly found changing out of his uniform in an airport bathroom. He said he had just called in sick and did not fly, according to WBNS-TV in Columbus.

The accused captain was scheduled to operate Flight #3396 from Columbus to Orlando, Fla., which was scheduled for a 4 p.m. departure Tuesday. There were 23 customers onboard, and the flight operated on-time, Southwest Airlines said.

The pilot had not yet operated an aircraft that day and was replaced by another captain, Southwest added.

Southwest said it launched an internal investigation and has placed the pilot on paid leave.

E-mail jwhitely@wfaa.com