Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To think the only way to crack down on people getting drunk on flights is to have massive (jail-time) penalties for those that do this?

45 replies

Gromance02 · 29/08/2017 13:10

I don't think it is fair to ban alcohol completely on flights as it penalises the majority that can drink sensibly. Also, if someone wants to get drunk, they could easily buy a bottle of vodka or whatever in duty free and stick it in their hand luggage. So the only solution is to make the consequences of getting drunk on a flight to be custodial. Followed by a 10 year ban or so of being banned from all flights.

OP posts:

HackneyedCuldscopy · 29/08/2017 13:59

@PoppyPopcorn

You need to do a little reading re. licensing laws.

PoppyPopcorn · 29/08/2017 14:06

Do I? The pub in Glasgow airport is open 4am until the last flight has boarded. Every day.

HackneyedCuldscopy · 29/08/2017 14:11

Yes, you do.

There is nothing stopping pubs from also serving at 4am until the last flight has boarded yet you said that the two should have the same licensing laws.

skiploom · 29/08/2017 14:30

I don't see a problem with getting drunk on a plane. If you are off on your holidays then there's nothing wrong with a few drinks. It's a cheerful atmosphere!

Not everyone on a plane is off on their holidays though. I didn't much care for some passengers' drunken antics when I was on my way to bury my grandmother abroad.

LittleOwl153 · 29/08/2017 14:50

Having witnessed badly behaved stag parties on flights over the summer - and the flight addendants reaction to them, i think the answer is relatively simple. There needs to be a stricter and more enforced acceptable level of consumption before boarding, and there needs to be a limit on alcohol served.
One stag party I saw were struggling to get on the plane as they were looking the use of their legs, and then still managed to consume 3 lots of 3 cans bought in board - bought 3 at a time from the on-board bar. I'm so glad that flight didn't last any longer - but they should never have been allowed to board in the first place!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/08/2017 14:56

I don't see a problem with getting drunk on a plane. If you are off on your holidays then there's nothing wrong with a few drinks. It's a cheerful atmosphere!

Not if you're the poor sod sitting next to the drunk person it's not! I don't want to sit next to someone who is drunk or even tipsy. Fine if they keep themselves to themselves but not if they try and engage with me.

EssentialHummus · 29/08/2017 14:57

Airlines know what routes cause problems with drunkenness and are already banning booze on those routes.

I think this is the best approach. I don't really care what stag parties get up to on a moral level, but it affects other passengers and if someone got aggressive/unpleasant on a flight the consequences could be serious.

I'd also be stricter at boarding - if someone is visibly drunk/rowdy, don't allow them on.

MangosteenSoda · 29/08/2017 15:01

Surely the problem is with aggressive/antisocial behaviour, just as it is in so many town centres etc. The vast majority of people can drink and even get drunk without becoming plane monsters.

I've been drunk on a plane a few times and never done anything other than fall asleep. I'm not an alcoholic, an asbo and nor have I ever been on a rowdy hen party. I never drink in airport bars either. It just happens sometimes!

Lauralou69 · 29/08/2017 15:07

Anyone who causes trouble because of their drinking while on a flight should get a 10 year flight ban.....so tired of saddo's who cannot manage a few hrs without a drink!

BoysofMelody · 29/08/2017 15:11

I've been drunk on a plane a few times and never done anything other than fall asleep

Yeah but to be fair, you were flying the plane at the time.

Joking aside, same as me, if I have a long flight, I might have a few more than usual so I can get some sleep. On all occasions i been able to obey instructions by the cabin staff and have been sleepy and no way aggressive or loud. That I was in anyway a nussiance to anyone , let alone a risk is absurd, as is the notion that I need to be slammed in the chokey for having a drink.

If people are aggressive, violent or rowdy punish them by all means. But the two categories are not mutually exclusive, people can kick off without a drink on a plane and people can enjoy a few drinks without being aggressive or dangerous.

BackforGood · 29/08/2017 15:14

I agree with PinkSparkly and EssentialHummus

No, I don't want to sit next to anyone who is loud and aggressive or obnoxious. On a flight, I can't just move away.
Either the airlines take more responsibility for not allowing people who are already drink onto a flight, and refuse to serve alcohol once they detect that someone has had enough, or, if they aren't prepared to take responsibility, then the answer is that yes, alcohol shouldn't be served on planes or in airports. Yes, I know the vast majority can have a glass or two without problem, (which is why I favour the first option), but if the airlines won't take responsibility then that will have to be the answer. As it has become with all other aspects of security - everyone gets inconvenienced because of the actions of a few.

MrsTrebus · 29/08/2017 15:21

It's not about drink thou, it's about behaviour. The issue is that bad behaviour on flights puts all the passengers at risk. I complained about a man on a flight repeatedly trying to touch a teenage girl and was told that nothing could be done. Why? Why are there not procedures in place to deal with all bad behaviour, not just drunken bad behaviour.

bigbluebus · 29/08/2017 15:27

I generally only fly short haul and I can't recollect the drinks trolley ever coming around more than once. This means that most people will buy a beer, a miniature of spirits or a small bottle of wine if they choose to purchase alcohol. Can't see any issue with that - unless the purchaser has already been drinking excessively, in which case, surely the air stewards are within their rights to refuse to serve any alcohol to them at all - just as a landlord could on the ground! I see no reason to ban the sale of alcohol to everyone on board because of the poor behaviour of the minority.

I think there should be more control over who they allow on the plane if they appear to be under the influence at the gate before boarding. And the consumption on board of alcohol which has been brought at the airport shop should not be allowed (in fact I didn't think it was anyway - or is that just if you are travelling outside the EU).

BoysofMelody · 29/08/2017 15:30

so tired of saddo's who cannot manage a few hrs without a drink!

I'm perfectly capable of going a few hours without a drink, but on certain occasions, I enjoy a few drinks, including on or before a flight. I cause no bother or harm to anyone else. I certainly don't sit in judgement on other people's choices that don't impact on other people.

I couldn't care less if people drink or don't drink, so long as they don't inconvenience others or are posing a danger, that said maybe with a drink inside you, you might be less of a tedious puritanical arseache.

Lauralou69 · 29/08/2017 17:21

BoysofMelody

Oh dear, struck a nerve there haven't I?? I also have NO issue with those who can handle a few drinks (though I personally do find it totally sad that some like a drink at 6.00am before their flight because they're on holiday)! It's those who cause trouble and like it or not there are quite a few.

BoysofMelody · 29/08/2017 17:23

No Laura just made yourself look like a sanctimonious prat

Lauralou69 · 29/08/2017 17:27

BoysofMelody

I think you need a drink.........

Jaxhog · 29/08/2017 17:28

I remember the same discussion about smoking on planes. Now it's unthinkable. Why do people need to drink alcohol on planes at all?

The increase in drunkeness and inconsiderate passengers has taken all the joy out of flying for me.

PoppyPopcorn · 29/08/2017 17:38

It does seem that people being drunk on planes is more of a thing these days but the way we're all travelling has changed beyon all recognition. I'm old enough to remember the days before Easyjet, Ryanair and hte rest, and when your only option for going overseas was a charter flight bought with a package holiday, or a scheduled carrier. Very expensive. More people now are flying so there has been an increase in drunkenness. Also budget airlines aren't giving out free booze on the plane as scheduled airlines often do, so people who want to have a drink feel they should do so before boarding, or bring their own.

Smoking is a totally separate issue - you can have a drink on a plane without affecting anyone else. I've done it loads of times. It is impossible to have a cigarette in a confined space without the smoke affecting other passengers and crew.

I am another one who gets pissed off with the "saddos who can't manage to not drink" comments from the hard of thinking. Of course for 99% of drinkers it's more than possible to go several hours without an alcoholic drink. I like the odd glass of wine - I haven't had one since Friday and it's now Tuesday. BUT I am a grown up, and if I decide I'd quite like a G&T on a flight or a glass of wine with my food then I should be able to do so. I don't NEED to, but would like to. For 99% of travellers, having a drink or a glass of wine with food is not going to turn them into an abusive idiot.

Lauralou69 · 29/08/2017 17:54

Well I stand by my comment so there 😉 I have NO issue with those who have a couple of drinks and cause no issues to anyone else....however, those that do should get much stiffer penalties than they currently do. It is utterly incomprehensible that any one would get on a flight completely bladdered!

Flip

1 2