flyrights

On land, don't you have to be 21 to enter a bar where alcohol is being served, but on a plane, where the entire PLANE is turned into a bar, why is it all of the sudden OK to have kids adjacent to where alcohol is being served?

Yes, I know it's a money issue, as everything ultimately is... and I know the airlines have bought off the various Alcohol Beverage Commissions, the FAA people, along with the alcohol beverage manufacturers and distributors... but what is so different about inflight, and say a bar on a street?

And with all these incidents of crazed drunk people inflight, along with increased risks of transporting flammable liquids onboard, (fire hazards, terrorist risks, etc.), I would think it's time to eliminate alcohol inflight.

I'm OK with getting rid of caffeinated coffee too, cause caffeine is classified as a "drug" too... just like alcohol is classified as a "drug"... right?

horse glasses

They serve alcohol in resturants where children are allowed, so your bar comparison doesn't really make a lot of sense.

Why take it away from everyone because a few jerks?

flyrights

Genius, I didn't make any reference of comparison to restaurants... I only compared the situation to bars ON LAND. Try to read more carefully.

And if you think we shouldn't take alcohol away "because of a few jerks", would you apply the same logic for NOT doing security screenings, cause it's really just a small number of terrorist jerks?

scoow

So, would it be ok to serve alcohol with a meal (as in a restaurant)? But not at other times during the flight (as in a bar)? Or are you advocating a total ban on alcohol (& caffeine - guess that would have to include soda & coffee) for the sake of the children?

htb

Good question. I just missed the point where you explained that having kids adjacent to where alcohol is being served is a problem.

HTB.

mjcewl1284

Welcome to the post 1940s, where prohibition has long ended and people are free to drink whatever they want.

trooper

Not round here sport... it's 18.. (Thought I'd remind you that airlines, like FT itself, are an International thing.... after all, you didn't object specifically to alcohol on US based flights!)

AND kids are allowed in many "bars" here as long as they are with an adult... in fact most of these bars also serve food (they are actually licensed as "registered clubs" under Australian Law).. but that just makes them MORE similar to the aircraft...

Food AND booze.

So why can't "our" rules apply? You are clearly trying to apply "yours"... so that would be just as reasonable.....

In fact an American 18 year old "kid" could quite legitimately ask for, and receive, a drink on QF/NZ etc...

Oh, the Humanity!!!!

P.S. I'd be interested in seeing the incontrovertible proof you have that the "airlines have bought off"... well, everyone according to you...

flyrights

Ouch! seems a nerve has been struck with some of you. I'm just asking WHY is it OK to serve alcohol only, without a requirement of a meal, on a plane, with a drinking adult, who MAY be seated next to a child who is traveling alone?

This child can't enter a bar alone... can't enter some restaurants with bars alone, but on a flight, it's anything goes, isn't it. All the sudden, it's OK to have alcohol served adjacent to children.

I'm not for any prohibition... I'm for equal treatment.

If the idea is to ban "drugs", then caffeine soft drinks and coffee should be banned too. If it's to regulate alcohol, then I don't see why "rules" in the air should all the sudden by "anything goes".

Personally, I don't have a problem with alcohol being served adjacent to kids... I just think it should be the SAME law in the air, as on the ground. I cannot understand why the airlines can get away with this, other than they and the alcohol distributors/sellers maybe have made some "special arrangements" with policymakers.

chartreuse

That's friendly. Incidentally, there are places, eg SC, where most (if not all, I'm not 100% sure) bars are classed as restaurants.

That's all right then, just as long as you're OK with it.

MKEbound

Kids are allowed in bars in Wisconsin, and can even be served if their parents consent and order for them.

griffinj

What exactly are you implying here? That by consuming a drink or two on a flight that it will somehow scar a child for life?

flyrights

Not at all... but that is what they imply ON LAND bars, where children aren't allowed in... so I'm asking, WHY then, is it OK on a plane, when it's not allowed inside a land bar?

etch5895

I would imagine that it has something to do with state law not applying to an inflight aircraft. Imagine the nightmare of trying to enforce the law of a state as you fly over it..."We can't serve drinks while we are over SC because it is Sunday and the blue laws apply. Wait five minutes until we are over NC..."

Probably why some casinos operate in the water, and why cruise ships full under different laws when they enter 'international' waters.

chartreuse

I think the flaw in your reasoning is the assumption that there is one, uniform, law on the ground. As several posters have pointed out, liquor laws vary by state.

Except for brief windows of opportunity over Charleston, Columbia and other cities with an exception. "This is you're captain speaking. As we're flying over SC on a Sunday we will now go into a tight holding pattern around CAE, while you all get liquored up!"

griffinj

I must assume that you are referring to US Domestic travel only, correct? International laws are of course very different. And here in the US it's going to depend on which state you're in because laws on alcohol are vastly different from state to state.

Being in NY, I know there are many night clubs that allow 18+ in for dancing, etc but will give them a different marking on their hand to show their age vs. those over 21. Some consider an 18 y/o to still be a child. Would you consider this to be the same scenario as on an airplane?