US Airways denied permit to sell alcohol in New Mexico

[gizmo_sc]

FOR THOSE that want to contact...

Bob Hagan (505) 241-2621

 

[citrus jock]

I've said this before and I will say it again. From the perspective of a FA I frankly wish that alcohol was not served at all on any airline. Why? Because nothing good comes from it.

Let's look at some things that lead me to that position.

1. The FAA forbids airlines from boarding persons who appear to be under the influence of alcohol. The airlines, bless their hearts, have CSR's and FA's making judgment calls on who is, or isn't, under the influence based on mere seconds of interaction. Thanks to online boarding passes, the interaction is even less then it once was for the CSR's, and the FA's have the time it takes to say "Welcome aboard" to make any assessment.

2. The FAA forbids airlines from overserving alcohol to passengers. How is a team of FA's to know how much someone had to drink before a flight? How or what type of medication the person may have taken? It is only when a passenger perhaps gets argumentative that an issue may arise and even then, in this era of flying as basic transportation, being argumentative may be considered just another passenger upset at something about their wonderful (cough) flying experience.

Frankly, this is a lose-lose scenario for the FA's. The only way they win is buy not serving at all because they cannot get in trouble for not serving, while they can get in big trouble for serving.

OK, I now expect all the usual comments that blast this position, but take a second and think about it before posting that booze and commercial flights are a good mix.

I don't think that booze and commercial flts. have to be a "good" mix, any more than I think they are a "bad" mix. I believe that a majority of people show the ability to know when to stop drinking, while a few don't. I disagree with the "punish everyone" (by not serving any alcohol) mentality, based on the actions of a few. Yes, yes, I know: If someone can't get through the flt. without alcohol, then they must have a problem. But this attitude doesn't just address those with the problem; it addresses those who don't have a problem. The (il)logic of this attitude could be carried out (using drunken driving, as an example) to the extreme of going back to prohibition or outlawing cars, to ensure that no one drinks and drives. The opportunity to abuse alcohol and adversely affect others isn't limited to alcohol being served on airplanes.

The problem IMO is the confusion as to what responsibility the gate agts., F/As, etc. have concerning an allegedly intoxicated passenger. No one can board an aircraft or be served alcohol if they appear to be intoxicated, the key word being appear. We're not required, nor do we have the capability to administer a breathilizer test to everyone requesting a drink. We might (or might not) have received training to recognize certain behavior displayed by someone who's intoxicated. We might even rely on our own personal experiences as to the effects of sampling a little too much fire water. From a legal standpoint, if someone's BAC is such that they're on the verge of passing out, but due to a high tolerence level, they exibit no signs of intoxication, it's unreasonable to expect an airline employee, with little or no training, to know that person is actually intoxicated. In the future, the powers that be might decide to start, or enhance the training that is available now. My opinion addresses the here and now. The flip side of my argument is the passenger that hasn't had a drink all day (or maybe in their life) that has bloodshot eyes (from that pesky contact lens or lack of sleep), slurred speech (from having a cavity filled), and has trouble walking/maintaining their balance (from an inner ear infection). Those are signs to me that the person "appears" to be intoxicated. But, because I don't have the ability to give them a breathilizer (that in my example would register a .000), IMO it is absolutly illegal for them to be served alcohol on an airplane.

As for the intoxicated passenger who appeared "obviously intoxicated" to another passenger, if no airline employee witnessed the "obviously intoxicated" behavior, it's unreasonable to expect them to know to not serve this person. As for the passenger who bought beer at a store after the flt., I wonder if the store clerk and/or owner was held responsible (or if they even should have been) for the outcome.

The New Mexico gov't. is obviously confused about who is the legal authority of the airspace above their state; and they appear to be (along with many who definitely are) confused about personal responsibility and the capability of airline employees to magically know when to substitute their judgment for someone who has none.

 

[hp_fa]

That was a pleasant response, but the best way to get around all the potential problems that might occur is to not serve at all. It takes away all liability and would take away one more bullet that the FAA can fire at a FA or the airline. If that were to be done then the only remaining issue would be controlling booze smuggled onboard and now days you need to either smuggle it past TSA or buy it in a bar inside security and then put it into a container that can be carried onto the flight. This further reduces the chance of having an alcohol-related problem.

 

[WCT]

That was a pleasant response, but the best way to get around all the potential problems that might occur is to not serve at all. It takes away all liability and would take away one more bullet that the FAA can fire at a FA or the airline. If that were to be done then the only remaining issue would be controlling booze smuggled onboard and now days you need to either smuggle it past TSA or buy it in a bar inside security and then put it into a container that can be carried onto the flight. This further reduces the chance of having an alcohol-related problem.

If they are not going to ban alcohol, at least they should set limits. Especially in f/c, some people get out of control with the free booze. I usually follow one per hour, but some can tolerate more or less. It is hard to judge sometimes. If the airline set rules about how many can be sold or consumed, might alleviate the pressure. I also believe the TSA needs to do a better job during screening pax's in LAS and other airports. It amazes me some of the pax's that get thru security drunk off there arse!! I guess they are too busy looking for intoxicated crew members??! 🙄

 

[jetmech01890]

jetmech, how's everything at the trailer park?

You really are a troglodyte, aren't you.

everything is evcellent at the tp hows the back deck

 

[jetmech01890]

just in case heres one more

 

[UPNAWAY]

One often overlooked part of this case is that he drank at bars in both airports before and after his flight. Hum, why didn't they sue the airports or go after then? He also then stopped at a store and bought another 6 pack. Somehow the one or two drinks served on a 45 minute flight seemend not likely the main cause. Yet the laywers and poloticians go where the big money and publicity can be had.

 

[N903AW]

just in case heres one more

"Darn, these skorts fit during the fitting session!"

 

[jetmech01890]

"Darn, these skorts fit during the fitting session!"

excellent