Penny pinching at Heathrow

[SLeanne]

We are due to go away soon from Heathrow T4. OH and I like a couple of drinks before the flight (at 9pm). However, I was shocked last time that a glass of wine is over £10 a glass. If we are discreet, could we get away with buying a bottle in Duty Free and drinking it before the flight (and disposing of the empty bottle before boarding). I know it's not allowed but has anyone done it before and got away with it? Quite frankly I'm getting sick of having to spend C 100 quid for something to eat and a couple of drinks each (family of 4) and am looking at ways of cheating the system 🤔

I don't know where OP lives but wine is often about £9 a glass here in normal bars - and that's very average wine too

Indeed. But as the OP said a while back she won’t be coming back to this thread even though she’s a connoisseur of wine !

Are people so desperate to drink duty free alcohol that they go into a toilet to decant it into bottles? That’s been mentioned a few times on this thread. Why would people even think about doing that unless they have an alcohol problem? It’s grim decanting alcohol in a toilet 🤢

@HermoinePotter There are hen and stag groups on certain flights who may well do this and individuals who are desperate. You can see drinking on some flights is over the top and people pre load too. Quite possibly by decanting in loos. It’s a British problem. Fortunately it’s not widespread but yes, some people are that desperate.

Airline staff here. It is illegal to drink duty free before you leave the country. If caught you could be arrested and not be going anywhere. You can book a lounge for £25pp (not sure about kids prices) but that could work out cheaper. Otherwise you need to suck the prices up, or not have a drink.

@Mrssnips Who actually gets caught though? Anyone? Personally I would never do it as I don’t drink pre flight. However does anyone check hand luggage for half empty bottles or what’s in a flask?

You can't take liquids through hand luggage in your own flask - or anything over 100ml for that matter, it has to be empty - even as staff we have to abide by this rule. I am saying that if you do get caught you've broken the law, end of. I know that certainly where I work if you are drinking your own alcohol on a flight for example they will ban you. Airports and airlines are now getting wiser to excessive pre flight drinking and are much more vigilant to this sort of behaviour. Fine if you want to risk it but I wouldn't, knowing what I know about airports tightening up on this sort of behaviour. Some airports also seal the duty free and many overseas especially USA you don't get it until you get to the gate. Just buy a drink is my advice, if it is that important to you. The other thing is that places like Pret airside now sell individual cans and mini bottles of wine at reasonable prices, so that might be worth a go.

@Mrssnips

I think we’re mostly aware of the 100 ml rule and all that goes with it…

I think the question being asked (it was raised a while back) is do the airlines check that you are actually bringing onboard what you’ve bought at airside Duty Free.

Certainly in my time based at Heathrow I never saw a gate check done for that purpose (additional checks sometimes happened at the gate but that was for other reasons)…not saying it doesn’t happen but I never saw it done and I was there for quite a while.

TBH given there’s (as yet at least) there’s no real tracking done on what individual’s consume in airside bars I’m not sure how much effort really goes into checking on what drinking goes on in the general seating areas but I’d agree there might be scope for sanctions in some circumstances.

Finally, Just to be clear about my POV on this I’m not saying a blind eye should be turned to somebody trying to board when they have drunk alcohol to excess, but some of the suggestions (not yours) have been a bit fanciful.

Hope @SLeanne is arrested.

I’m assuming the ones who are desperate bring an empty flask through security in hand luggage. Many people take water containers through that are empty. I really cannot imagine decanting in a loo but it’s been suggested on here. Who would know what’s in a water container after security? I’ve never bought booze in duty free before boarding. Obviously not selling it would help!

I agree drinking too much needs stopping . It’s not safe and poor behaviour through drink is not acceptable when flying. If you read this thread though it’s apparent some people will go to some lengths to drink. I was merely wondering how detection worked.

@TizerorFizz

I was merely wondering how detection worked.

It’s been a while but last time I was directly involved “detection” of whether someone was fit to fly or not was mainly a judgement call based on observation by gate staff and/or crew…there were certainly no bag checks or checks of what was in flasks et .

Where I worked if the Cabin Crew “chief” decided that somebody was not fit to fly it was expected (i.e. in company orders) that they would be backed up by the captain, and things like getting an on-time departure/losing ATC slots were secondary to getting the offload done.

Looking at some recent reports I’m not convinced all airlines have the same emphasis in their culture.

@notimagain Im sure you are right!

Duty free isn’t all that much cheaper though. Also, don’t most of them seal duty free purchases to stop you drinking them in the airport?

If you can’t afford to drink it then just don’t have a drink, take an empty water bottle and get some water.

Omg always do this! I take a non see through litre water bottle and go to the toilets and decant. Hazzard is I do drink too much, and actually don’t do it now I have the babies but in my 20’s I always did this 😂

Do you take your own coffee from home to Costa, and take your own chicken into Nandos? Both expensive compared to doing your own, but when you eat or drink out, you pay the price for the privilege. Accept its expensive and enjoy yourself, or don't drink when you're out.

Woucher has 50% off airport lounges at the mo!

I had an 88 year old great aunt who was banned from a Working Men's club she had been going to all her life because she smuggled gin in. I realised when I heard she must be alcoholic (as well as wanting to save money)- ask yourself is it worth it if I get caught? (they can refuse to let you fly)

You are breaking tax laws if you do that. Duty free goods are cheaper because they are free from certain taxes seeing as they are going to be taken out of the country and used elsewhere. There probably aren't too many customs officers walking around the departures lounge, if any at all, but the goods should be exported intact and consumed outside the country. So you are not allowed to it, in theory anyway.

I’ve got the answer to the OP’s problem anyway.

Take your booze to the airport.
Drink it before you go through security.
Problem solved.

Is White Lightning or Buckfast any cheaper than wine in the airport bars?

OP, although I think what you are suggesting is more trouble (and too much stress for a holiday) than just paying for drinks at the airport, I think the tone of some of the MN responses is just a bit mean. Ignore the tone. Too many MNs with axes to grind or attitudes that have nothing to do with you. Good for you for affording a holiday, and nothing wrong with seeking opinions and desiring a bit of grace in the responses. I'm afraid the only thing wrong with some of the responses seems to be the attitudes. The sentiment is correct however. I think it's a terrible idea to risk being 'caught' sneaking the duty free, when the whole point of a holiday (which includes the travel experience) is relaxation. It's also a chance to install correct values in your children in observing rules or not shirking them just because of personal preference of saving a few bob (i don't mean that unkindly). I hope you get to save for a drink and enjoy the experience.

Poor OP, with the 'mean' mumsnetters calling out her trampy behaviour.

Isn’t this a good indication you are reaching an issue with your drinking and need help?

nah I was just young dumb and having fun, I barely drink now I’m in my 30’s with babies. Not every thing needs analysing by internet strangers 😂