Travel News - Drunk passenger attempt to light curtains on fire on ATL-VIE.

OK, fess up, which one of you is this?

I like how they show a picture of an MD-88 with the story.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/19/tsa.drunk.passenger/index.html

He probably watched this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NdAUnnU9Ac) too many times. :D

He is not appropriate behaviors onboard the aircraft. He will nevered fly on DL again for rest in the life. He will be charges as inference of the crew. He could be faces miserable life in the prison. He is intoxicated during transatlantic flight but, air marshals were restrained him. I know that mean it is unacceptable for his behaviors during the entire trip. He supposed does not touch with F/A at all, Right?

"Drunk" they say, but to me it seems just a very natural reaction to excessive exposure to those Planguage cartoons.
I've personally considered doing much worse during long TATL flights.

This story sounds like a good reason to ban serving alcohol on flights.

This story sounds like a good reason to ban serving alcohol on flights.

How about a ban on serving alcohol in airports before flights?
How about a ban on serving alcohol in restaurants before your TATL flight?
How about banning alcohol completely?

:mad:

This story sounds like a good reason to ban serving alcohol on flights.

LOL, wow. You're kidding right?

In the immortal words of Homer J. Simpson "(to) alcohol; the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems". Alcohol might have gotten this guy in trouble on a TATL flight but think of how many people it's helped keep OUT of trouble.

Not kidding. I have no time to babysit people who don't know when they've had enough.

Banning alcohol in the terminal wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Not kidding. I have no time to babysit people who don't know when they've had enough.

Banning alcohol in the terminal wouldn't be a bad idea either.

If you're an NWA FA, just don't serve. Who needs you to babsit?

How about a ban on serving alcohol in airports before flights?
How about a ban on serving alcohol in restaurants before your TATL flight?
How about banning alcohol completely?

:mad:

Yes, yes, yes.

If you're an NWA FA, just don't serve. Who needs you to babsit?

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. If an adult asks for alcohol, we have to sell the alcohol. When someone is getting to that point where they should maybe start drinking some coffee, then problems can arise. Some people that you need to cut off don't see it the same way. Then problems can occur, like they try to retaliate by setting the plane on fire.

Not serving alcohol inflight would take care of that problem.

This story sounds like a good reason to ban serving alcohol on flights.

What a terrible solution. A small number of people can't handle their alcohol and everyone has to pay the price? Nice collective punishment there. :td: :td:

Ban this, prohibit that. Actions like this work really well, don't they? :rolleyes:

What a terrible solution. A small number of people can't handle their alcohol and everyone has to pay the price? Nice collective punishment there. :td: :td:

Ban this, prohibit that. Actions like this work really well, don't they? :rolleyes:

All it takes is one out of control drunk to down an aircraft. Fortunately the drunk in this story was stopped saving the lives of hundreds of passengers.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. If an adult asks for alcohol, we have to sell the alcohol. When someone is getting to that point where they should maybe start drinking some coffee, then problems can arise. Some people that you need to cut off don't see it the same way. Then problems can occur, like they try to retaliate by setting the plane on fire.

Not serving alcohol inflight would take care of that problem.

If you're not up to such a challenging decision and yes, possible customer interaction where you have to cut someone off, maybe it's time for a career change?

I've had to cut hundreds of people off. Yes, some of them didn't like it and a few overreacted. That's life. I didn't quit my job or call for a ban on booze. (which would have ended my job ;) )

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Newsstand...
Thanks..
Obscure2k
Delta Moderator

If you're not up to such a challenging decision and yes, possible customer interaction where you have to cut someone off, maybe it's time for a career change?

I've had to cut hundreds of people off. Yes, some of them didn't like it and a few overreacted. That's life. I didn't quit my job or call for a ban on booze. (which would have ended my job ;) )

Sorry, I'm not the one who needs to change jobs because someone has a problem with alcohol. Keep drinking on the ground.

All it takes is one out of control drunk to down an aircraft. Fortunately the drunk in this story was stopped saving the lives of hundreds of passengers.

All it takes is one psychotic to skip their meds to bring down a plane. Want to do a psych/chemical test on every passenger?

What's next, a breathalyzer when you board? Pee in the cup to make sure no one is on more prescription drugs than they should be? Or illegal drugs?

Prohibition is not the answer to life's anomalies.

Sorry, I'm not the one who needs to change jobs because someone has a problem with alcohol. Keep drinking on the ground.

If you can't deal with the occasional bad outcome of a legal substance being consumed, then maybe it is you who needs to change jobs, not the job changing to suit you. @:-)

(BTW: I find this exchange constructive and hope you do too.) :)

It sounds like some people have an alcohol problem if they can't go for a few hours without a drink.

It sounds like some people have an alcohol problem if they can't go for a few hours without a drink.

True, but why should any one without a drinking problem have to pass on alcohol because of some extremely rare events?

The overwhelming majority of people who choose to drink alcohol do so responsibly and should not have to have their freedom to consume destroyed by the actions of a very small minority.

True, but why should any one without a drinking problem have to pass on alcohol because of some extremely rare events?

The overwhelming majority of people who choose to drink alcohol do so responsibly and should not have to have their freedom to consume destroyed by the actions of a very small minority.

Anyone without a drinking problem wouldn't have a problem going without a drink.

Remember the passenger from USAir that killed people after consuming to much alcohol on the plane? A few more like that and you will see alcohol banned.

Anyone without a drinking problem wouldn't have a problem going without a drink.

Remember the passenger from USAir that killed people after consuming to much alcohol on the plane? A few more like that and you will see alcohol banned.

But there's no valid reason for the majority of people who consume alcohol responsibly to go without a drink.

I really doubt that alcohol will be banned. It's a profit center for the airlines/airports and most people who choose to consume alcohol do consume it responsibly.

Spiff's right, inappropriate to ban alcohol. If an airline chooses not to carry it for business reasons, that is their right. They will have to judge their profits or losses related to this type of decision.

I would say that the F/A's are in a lose/lose with this. They have to make the decision, have to flog the booze, don't get to keep any profit, get their pay cut while the execs vote a bonus for themselves, and keep the over drinkers in line. Fun City. :D

I would say that the F/A's are in a lose/lose with this. They have to make the decision, have to flog the booze, don't get to keep any profit, get their pay cut while the execs vote a bonus for themselves, and keep the over drinkers in line. Fun City. :D

And no tips. :( (not that I think tipping an FA is appropriate, but it's not like they get dividends for serving drinks like lower-waged, earth-based bartenders do)

Anyone without a drinking problem wouldn't have a problem going without a drink.

Remember the passenger from USAir that killed people after consuming to much alcohol on the plane? A few more like that and you will see alcohol banned.

Might I suggest switching airlines then? Maybe Pakistani or Saudi Arabian need FAs. You won't have to worry about serving alcohol on those flights (although if you think that some passengers on those flights aren't drinking from their own stash, you're deluding yourself).

Banning alcohol is not the solution. Maybe banning idiots like this guy from ever flying again is a solution (since he has proven that he can not handle the responsibility of being an adult on board an airplane).

Anyone without a drinking problem wouldn't have a problem going without a drink.

Conversely, anyone with a drinking problem will find ways to get around a ban. Believing that not serving alcohol on planes will keep alcoholics from drinking in flight is incredibly naive.

Some people are dangerously allergic to shellfish, peanuts or perfume—are you equally in favor of banning those?

Abrupt withdrawal of alcohol to someone who is deeply addicted can result in the DTs: hallucinations which the person may act upon (trying to "kill" or get away from imaginary insects on the skin or surroundings, for example), racing heartbeat, profuse sweating or chills, seizures, occasionally death. What a wonderful alternative to a drunk and sleepy passenger during a long flight that would be.

All it takes is one out of control drunk to down an aircraft. Fortunately the drunk in this story was stopped saving the lives of hundreds of passengers.

Don't you think this is a bit over the top ... ? one drunk pax , in the passenger cabin with 250 other pax and somehow the plane is coming down ... specifically what could he do that would bring the plane down ...

In this post 9/11 times , i have no doubts that you would have more than a few able passengers willing to help out restrain the drunk idiot !
And regardless of air marshalls being on board I highly doubt that anyone playing with lighters/matches would be ignored by other paxs .

This story sounds like a good reason to ban serving alcohol on flights.

What? One idiot gets paralytic and tries to set fire to the curtains and we're talking about banning alcohol ??? It probably wasn't as big a deal as it's being made out to be. I mean, how do you know the next drunken game on his list wasn't "my pp - the human fire extinguisher" ???

I have never had an alcoholic drink ever, but I don't see how banning alcohol entirely helps when the vast majority of people who drink on planes do so in a fairly responsible manner.

Anyone without a drinking problem wouldn't have a problem going without a drink.

Remember the passenger from USAir that killed people after consuming to much alcohol on the plane? A few more like that and you will see alcohol banned.

Actually I know quite a few people who don't drink much but drink on planes to calm their nerves..Plus let's face it a heavy drinker will just bring a flask on the plane and mix it with coke... Banning liquor on planes is more stupid rules we don't need..
Cheers
Howie

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems. How do you make it through the day? Just the thought of giving up a cocktail on an airplane has your undies in a bundle.

Maybe we need to cut passengers off sooner than we have been or make a limit of only 2 drinks per flight!^

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems. How do you make it through the day? Just the thought of giving up a cocktail on an airplane has your undies in a bundle.

Maybe we need to cut passengers off sooner than we have been or make a limit of only 2 drinks per flight!^

That's a pretty sad and irrational conclusion. :(

It's not the giving up of cocktails (or beer or wine for that matter) that gets our knickers in a wad ;) . Rather, it's the introduction of more stupid and unnecessary rules that has many of us speaking out against such a knee-jerk reaction.

Diane Feinstein came up with an equally foolish plan to limit passengers to 2 alcoholic drinks per flight. She was covered with opprobium for her silly efforts.

Get over it, move on with your life. Most people who choose to drink alcohol do so responsibly. Why should they be punished because of the actions of an extremely small number of people or because of a small number of people's paranoid and frightened response to such actions?

I submit: the people with an alcohol problem are mostly not those consuming it, but rather those with an irrational fear of the possible abuse of alcohol by a tiny minority of drinkers. It's similar to asking K-Mart to stop selling cutlery because of an incident where a customer stabbed some other customers. Foolish and short-sighted. :td:

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems. How do you make it through the day? Just the thought of giving up a cocktail on an airplane has your undies in a bundle.

Maybe we need to cut passengers off sooner than we have been or make a limit of only 2 drinks per flight!^

Maybe we should just medically anesthetize all passengers before take off and bring them out of it just before landing. I mean, that's one solution...

Or, maybe we can continue to hold people responsible for their own actions and let the overwhelming majority who know how to drink responsibly continue to do so of their own accord. I've no problem with making a customer who causes a divert for stupidity be made to pay for the entire cost of the diversion to both the airline and passengers.

Why on earth they allow a lighter on board an aeroplane in preference to 105ml bottle of innocuous fluid is beyond me. What use is a lighter on board an aeroplane anyway!

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems. How do you make it through the day? Just the thought of giving up a cocktail on an airplane has your undies in a bundle.

Maybe we need to cut passengers off sooner than we have been or make a limit of only 2 drinks per flight!^I don't see this as "a whole lot of people with drinking problems". At least one poster has already said he does not even drink. Perhaps others have already made it through the day... and would now like a drink.

A 2 drink limit seems arbitrary and lacking any rational basis. Two drinks STL-ORD might be reasonable (and if you really want two, better order them at the same time, because your odds of having another chance are slim). Two drinks ORD-DEL or any other 10+ hour flight seems like a ridiculous limit.

To keep this on-topic, it would make just as much sense to ban the curtains between cabins or around FA rest areas. Then this guy wouldn't have a curtain to attempt to ignite. :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. If an adult asks for alcohol, we have to sell the alcohol. When someone is getting to that point where they should maybe start drinking some coffee, then problems can arise. Some people that you need to cut off don't see it the same way. Then problems can occur, like they try to retaliate by setting the plane on fire.

Not serving alcohol inflight would take care of that problem.

Sounds like you need to be introduced to the concept of server liability. Continuing to serve a drunk customer in any setting, including onboard a plane, is laying the grounds for a lawsuit-- perhaps by the passenger, but almost certainly by anyone he injures while intoxicated, including the family of four he crashes into on I-85 trying to drive home. Airlines, including Delta IIRC, have been sued in such cases.

Your solution to killing a fly is a 2000-pound bomb. Overkill extraordinaire.

Now that I've pointed to examples where people in the server's circumstances have been sued, can you cite any examples of a drunk passenger bringing down an airplane?

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems.



Yeah, that's it. After reading this thread, I seriously need a drink.

:rolleyes:

Well, certain drugs are illegal, and I haven't noticed that stopping the people who want to abuse them. Drinking and then driving is illegal, yet the people who want to keep doing it. Murder is illegal, but it still happens. And on and on the list goes.

Banning alcohol will only keep non-alcoholics from having wine with dinner. The alcoholics will either continue to sneak it until they are drunk, or they'll start having DTs on long flights.

He probably watched this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NdAUnnU9Ac) too many times. :D

I was thinking more this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28ow4TLMTqM) :D.

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems. How do you make it through the day? Just the thought of giving up a cocktail on an airplane has your undies in a bundle.

Maybe we need to cut passengers off sooner than we have been or make a limit of only 2 drinks per flight!^


Generalizations and hyperbole only downgrade the quality of the information that you bring to this forum. You are free to not drink. You are also free to seek employment where you are not forced to do something so apparently objectionable to your sensibilies or moral code. Penalizing all for the actions of an extremely small minority may be fashionable in name of "security" today (think 'shoe fun'). That doesn't make it the correct course of action.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

My goodness! There seems to be a whole lot of people with drinking problems. How do you make it through the day? Just the thought of giving up a cocktail on an airplane has your undies in a bundle.


How do you make the conclusion that because one likes to drink on a plane, that they have a drinking problem? It's ridiculous.

And we all know how Prohibition worked in the USA. It made drinking even more glamorous. The only thing stopping serving alcohol on the plane will do is turn it into a flying speakeasy.

And frankly, with some of the flight's I've been on, if the drinking wasn't going on during the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of the flight, there would be no attendant to see it done anyway.

Moderator Hat On

As we veer off track, this discussion definitely seems to have run it's course.

Moderator Hat Off