Brawl On Plane

[losgigs]

On our recent outbound holiday flight, there was an outburst caused by a foul-mouthed man 'having a go' at his wife/partner. Lot's of shouting. swearing and pushing went on which was handled very efficiently by the cabin crew. The warring pair were were quickly separated ( I think the man was put in the front toilet till he calmed down!) It was about 30 mins before landing, and certainly livened up the otherwise peaceful flight. My point is, that I am sure that the man was drunk, having been sold far too many alcoholic drinks. Are cabin crew allowed to decline to serve passengers who appear to be over-imbibing, or do they just carry on serving anyway, as I suspect? I'm pretty sure the man would not have been allowed to land, and possibly would be banned from future flights with the airline. What do others think?

[ummmm]

It's really hard to tell how drunk someone is when they are sitting down in a confined space.

[Bazile]

^^^^
especially if they insist on sitting on your lap

[andy-hughes]

I believe that cabin crew are within their rights to decline alcohol to a passenger if the passenger is judged to have had enough.

Personally, I think it is immoral if airport operators to sell alcohol in airports.

Waiting or delayed passengers will tend to drink, if drink is available, to pass the time - and airport owners capitalise of this for nothing more than profit.

That means that individual airline cabin crews are left to deal with the effects of over-refreshed passengers who tend to manifest the effects of their consumption when placed in a confined space in a pressurised cabin for a prolonged period of time, when all the negative effects of alcohol start to kick in.

I would ban all alcohol sales in airports if I were able.

[craft1948]

My cleaner is flying to Nassau on Friday (I obviously pay her too much) and is petrified of flying. I'm not sure her proposed concoction of Nytol and gin and tonics is a good idea...

[dave50]

I dont know why people insist on having an alcoholic drink on a plane. Why bother? Just wait until you arrive at your destination, it wont kill you. Mind you, some of the riff raff they allow to fly these days, sometimes it's like the Jeremy Kyle show in the sky. It's what happens when the masses are allowed to infest activities that were once only for the privileged few.

[joggerjayne]

They can decline to serve a passenger who is intoxicated, yes.

The boarding staff can refuse to allow an intoxicated passenger to board the plane.

If you're just sitting there getting quietly ratted, you're fine.

But, if you start getting a bit lairy, then the airline staff will take whatever action is needed to prevent you disrupting the flight for other passengers.

[TWR]

The Cabin crew can refuse Alcohol to any passenger if they think this may cause problems, my opinion on this, if a passenger is that popped up, upon landing should be put on the next available flight back to his / her departure airport & further flights from any UK Airport & a 1 year ban, why should these people disrupt, annoy passengers & put the Flight / Crew in danger with their actions.

[losgigs]

True, ummmm, but if they have served an individual say 10 whiskies, most people would be pretty drunk, on top of what they may have consumed at the airport. It was quite frightening for the passengers sitting close by, though he did apologise for the language when a mother of a toddler complained.

[andy-hughes]

dave50 - //I dont know why people insist on having an alcoholic drink on a plane. Why bother?//

A degree of apprehension coupled with severe boredom makes for a lethal combination which airports, and to a degree, airlines, are happy to exploit for profit, at a cost to the safety and enjoyment of other passengers and crew.

[yogi-bear]

My wife works for an Airline and has done so for many years and this is what she says on the matter.......The law is pretty clear as most cabin crew will know already as its in their training. It is illegal for any person who is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs to be boarded onto a public carrier flight. Likewise it is illegal to become intoxicated or under the influence of drugs while on board a public flight, no matter short haul or long.

Many airlines are sensitive to people acting drunk on flights, and have trained their cabin crew and ground staff very well in the art of spotting and dealing with inebriated passengers. Disruptive behavior can result in those involved being constrained during the flight, or being arrested on landing. Further if sufficiently violent behavior is experienced the plane will make an unscheduled stop to have the alleged drunk arrested. In this case all extra expenses for the landing are on that person’s tab – so it is a very unwelcome addition to anyone’s hangover, wouldnt you agree?

So be drunk and act up on the plane, at your own peril. Otherwise stay in your seat, get sloshed or have as many drinks as the cabin crew serve to you and enjoy them......and your flight. :-)

[Bazile]

Well i've just asked the question to my daughter who flies for Virgin .

She says that they reserve the right to refuse to serve someone who they beleive to have had one too many .

However they would deal with the situation on a case by case basis .

For example they could suggest that the person has a cup of tea/coffee instead of another alcholic drink .

She has just returned from a trip to New Delhi - on board was a group of soldiers who were on route to help out after the Nepal earthquake ; who became a bit boistorous after sinking a few . They deal with the situation by announcing that untill forther notice they would not be serving anymore alcholic drinks during the flight .
They did it that way in order to not be accused by these soldiers of ' picking' on them , in particular .

It's all a matter of managing a particular situation

[andy-hughes]

Bazile - //It's all a matter of managing a particular situation //

Indeed it is, but it my contention that the 'situation' would be removed if airlines and airports put safety and comfort before profit - unlikely in my lifetime I know!

[joggerjayne]

Flying with no alcohol at all?

Gaaahh!!

:o(

[mushroom25]

have often been at birmingham airport for the early amsterdam flight (which leaves at 06h10), so sat around in the lounge from 4-30 to 5, and it's amazing how many also in the lounge are getting stuck into pints of lager, often with shot chasers, at a time when i have difficulty with breakfast. granted these people are on holiday, but really.......

[whiskeryron]

// ( I think the man was put in the front toilet till he calmed down!) //
Had this have been Ryonair he would have been put in the Outside Toilet.

[Booldawg]

I don't think I've been on a plane or in an airport whereby there hasn't been an arguing couple. This has of course, mostly been on holiday flights.

Holidays can often go horribly wrong it seems.

[mushroom25]

//Had this have been Ryonair he would have been put in the Outside Toilet. //

and doubtless would have been made to stump up for the privilege.

[losgigs]

Lol whiskeryron :) It was Easyjet and as I said earlier, the crew dealt with the situation efficiently. Several passengers thanked them on leaving the plane. I suspected that the culprit may have been arrested by the local Policia in Fuerteventura. I certainly hope so! A night in a Spanish prison would have given him a holiday to remember.

[Ellipsis]

dave50> I dont know why people insist on having an alcoholic drink on a plane. Why bother?

Because you feel its effect more on a plane.

http://www.traveller.com.au/everyone-asks-should-i-avoid-alcohol-on-a-plane-2z5b8

[237SJ]

There`s nothing wrong with having a drink on a plane. About 80% of people do and they enjoy it as they would if they were having a glass of wine with their meal in a restaurant. Maybe when airlines charge for drinks, there is more pressure on the crew to keep on selling because they get commission on the sales.