Big John wrote:
Pilots did NOT fly.

Big J...

91.17 (a) no person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of
a civil aircraft (w/in 8 hrs, while under influence, 0.04 blood alcohol)

I know these guys weren't flying under Pt. 91, but I've been
corrected before that Part 121 encompassess the Pt 91 regs then
adds additional, it doesn't supercede them.

So wrt Federal regulation, it would seem that getting into
the plane with the intent to fly it, getting ready for flight,
and ordering pushback sure counts as "act or attempt to act
as a crewmember".

Even if they taxied the plane, is there any rule that says they have
to be sober to do so???

See above; I read it that way, but perhaps I'm missing something?

Cheers,
Sydney