V-Flyer

Just listening to good old Jezza Vine discussing the eejit who forced a plane to divert to Florida from Cancun when he tried to open the cabin door "because he couldn't gain access to the toilet"[:0]

Anyway, long story short and all that, one of his correspondents suggested a total ban on alcohol on aircraft[:(!]

Thoughts guys?

Noooooooo!!! [:0]

I for one wouldnt be in favour, but asdide from personal preference, why should the odd idiotic passenger ruin it for the rest. I dont personally see the need for it as the crew have the right to suspend serving alcohol to anyone onboard who has over done it.

Agree, agree, agree, Sarah.

However, just to be devil's advocate for a mo, the discussion also threw up the point that prats like the guy from Cancun 'smuggle' their own alcohol on board. So, uinless every receptacle containing liquid was tested, how would the crew know?

I think extremely harsh penalties for offenders would do the trick, so long as they were highly publicised. Not only fines and jail, as appropriate, but also a bill from the airline for the total cost of diverting a flight and also being banned from using particular airlines.

Definitely NO to a ban on alcohol on board though, not only just for my pleasure but also it is a revenue stream for LoCo's.

[Devil's Advocate Mode ON] (So don't hit me, Sarah!)

As it is illegal to be "under the influence of alcohol on board an aircraft", I've never really understood why alcohol is served anyway.

[Devil's Advocate Mode OFF]

Having said that, people should be responsible when it comes to alcohol (not just on planes either) and in the main, most people are. Because alcohol is served, the plane almost becomes a flying pub, if if there's trouble in a pub, you don't hear screams for the pub to be banned from serving alcohol do you? So I agree with Sarah in that the odd idiot should be just ejected from the aircraft (Preferably whilst it's still flying).

I heard this on the news that they're had been "calls for alcohol to be banned on flights". Calls by who? The Association of Really Stupid People?

How many flights have there been this year (the first 16 days of it) into and out of the UK? And on those thousands of flights how many have had to be diverted because of some abusive drunk?

Drinks are a part of flying as much as food is. And I really can't see the airlines allowing this without a fight - budget ones would loose loads of revenue for a start.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by MCONut
[Devil's Advocate Mode ON] (So don't hit me, Sarah!)

As it is illegal to be "under the influence of alcohol on board an aircraft", I've never really understood why alcohol is served anyway.

[Devil's Advocate Mode OFF]

That is actually a really valid point. My understanding is the same as driving - its illegal to be under the influence when driving. This is judged by a determined level.

Mat xxx

As it is illegal to be "under the influence of alcohol on board an aircraft",

Yes, technically, 'tis true ... but i think that there is a difference between blindingly drunk and enjoying a few glasses of something.

The safety aspect is always there. I imagine that if VS020 on 12/11/05 had to make an emergency landing and evacuation there would have been a good few drunkards on the plane that night - but none that i would have thought would be incapable of following instructions from the Crew. Its amazing how quickly you sober up when you have to.

At the end of the day, its never going to happen. There is no way that the major airlines and LCCs are ever going to stop serving alcohol on board. For LCCs its a huge form of revenue (alreday pointed out) and can you imagine Flying Biz/Upper/First without a glass of champagne, or a brandy after your meal? No! While people often bring up dtebates like this, there is no way it would ever come to fruition.

The Jail term for an act as stupid as trying to open an aircraft door mid flight needs to be raised!!!

I am in agreeance that banning alcohol is a bit extreme. We are all aware of the measures that you get on board, it is actually quite difficult to get that smashed that you feel you have the need to take a leak outside!??!?!?!? [:?]

The guy is obviuosly a bit of a fruitcake and the alcohol cannot be fully to blame.

Hike the jail term and increase the media coverage, these idiots will soon think twice about their actions........

Just to note, so that any nervous flyers reading this don't panic, you cannot open the door mid-flight - The door is larger than the hole in the airframe and has to be pulled in and tilted to open. So cabin pressure would always keep it shut.

If booze were banned, well I would have to holiday in the UK[:#].

Cool, its 1400 - time to nip to the pub:D[:p]

I though BA had already stopped serving alcohol on board. Oh no, my mistake, it's just a Gate Gourmet "local difficulty". Hehe. [:w]

Originally posted by sailor99
Just to note, so that any nervous flyers reading this don't panic, you cannot open the door mid-flight - The door is larger than the hole in the airframe and has to be pulled in and tilted to open. So cabin pressure would always keep it shut.

I've always wanted to try this in-flight...

The Strawb

Could part of the aircraft could be converted to a brig? Then, if any troublemakers do start abusing hard-working cabin staff or start trying open doors etc. they could be locked in the brig downstairs out of the way. The flight could carry on as normal and the disruptive element could ba handed over to the authorities on landing, thus minimising everyone else's inconvenience.

Originally posted by MCONut
Could part of the aircraft could be converted to a brig? Then, if any troublemakers do start abusing hard-working cabin staff or start trying open doors etc. they could be locked in the brig downstairs out of the way. The flight could carry on as normal and the disruptive element could ba handed over to the authorities on landing, thus minimising everyone else's inconvenience.

I think we are back on alternative uses for all that extra space on the A380 now that we 'know' the airlines are not allowed to carry the full 800 odd bodies but are restricted to just 550 or so.[:?]. So in this case the brig would be right between the casino and the gym.

Now why do I have this irresistable urge to say "Drink - Fek"?

Originally posted by fozzyo

Originally posted by MCONut
[Devil's Advocate Mode ON] (So don't hit me, Sarah!)

As it is illegal to be "under the influence of alcohol on board an aircraft", I've never really understood why alcohol is served anyway.

[Devil's Advocate Mode OFF]

That is actually a really valid point. My understanding is the same as driving - its illegal to be under the influence when driving. This is judged by a determined level.

Mat xxx

This really isn't quite how it works. It can't be "illegal to be under the influence", because you're under the influence as soon as you have a drop!

The driver of a car should be compared to the pilot of a plane - not a passenger. AFAIK, the levels and (more to the point) the delay between consumption and flying the plane are much stricter for a pilot.

The law says it's an offence to be drunk on baord an aircraft. I don't have a link to the primary legislation but here's the CAA view, which is as near as damnit.

There is a difference between being under the influence (a fairly objective question of whether you've consumed ANY alcohol or not) and being drunk (a more subjective question).

There is a difference between being under the influence (a fairly objective question of whether you've consumed ANY alcohol or not) and being drunk (a more subjective question).

That was actually what I meant to say! Drunk as opposed to under the influence of. Sorry for my lack of clarity!!

Thanks for the CAA link - I didn't know the penalties were so serious; and unlimited fine and upto 2 years in the clink for being disruptive and interfering with the crew[:0].

It makes you think, especially if you were one of those on the VivaLasVegas flights;)

Could've sworn the Beeb's news report suggested a potential 20yr jail sentence - would this be an FAA penalty as the plane was in US airspace?

Originally posted by MCONut

There is a difference between being under the influence (a fairly objective question of whether you've consumed ANY alcohol or not) and being drunk (a more subjective question).

That was actually what I meant to say! Drunk as opposed to under the influence of. Sorry for my lack of clarity!!

Hey that's no problem, i've got an obsession with details. I hear that's a good thing in my line of work.

The Beeb were quite reserved actually!

Just to note, so that any nervous flyers reading this don't panic, you cannot open the door mid-flight - The door is larger than the hole in the airframe and has to be pulled in and tilted to open. So cabin pressure would always keep it shut.

I am so glad to hear that sailor99!!!

I haven't listened to the show yet, it's downloaded ready for later, but is there any breakdown of incidents to cabin type?

Do the Economy passengers drink more and cause more problems than Upper Class, where alcohol is more readily available? Or is it the other way round?

Depends on the passenger.

Some can drink loads of alcohol without becoming abusive etc.
Michael are you there? [:I]

(not totally sure about the interfering with the crew bit tho' given the chance)[:I]

Originally posted by PatDavies
Some can drink loads of alcohol without becoming abusive etc.
Michael are you there? [:I]

Wouldn't know what you could mean mate, I've stayed away from this thread, since I don't drink onboard [:w][:w]

(not totally sure about the interfering with the crew bit tho' given the chance)[:I]

LOL - indeed!

Cheers

Michael

Michael,

Sorry for the newbie style question, but what exactly is a mcuth blue cocktail? I can't wait to try one!