Flight Attendants Not Happy About Southwest Resuming Happy Hour
Joe Cortez February 03, 2022
In a press release, the Dallas-based airline announced they would resume alcohol service aboard their aircraft on February 16, 2022 – but flight attendants for the company say they are opposed to the move.
Beers and Spirits Return to Southwest Seven Months After Flight Attendant Assault
In their update, Southwest is calling the move an “expanded selection” of beverages based on customer feedback. The alcoholic options include Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Lagunitas IPA, Jack Daniels and Wild Turkey Whiskey, Bacardi Rum, along with a selection of wine and other spirits. Prices will remain at or below $7 each, but those holding drink coupons set to expire in 2020 or 2021 will be able to redeem them through December 31, 2022.
Although the airline says their motivation is because “Customers have expressed a desire for more beverage options,” not everyone is excited for the move. Alcohol was cut from services in May 2021, after a Southwest flight attendant was assaulted by a drunk passenger. In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, Transport Workers Union Local 556 president Lyn Montgomery says reintroducing alcohol while the nation is under a face covering mandate will only end in problems for front-line workers.
“We have adamantly and unequivocally informed management that resuming sales of alcohol while the mask mandate is in place has the great potential to increase customer non-compliance and misconduct issues,” the statement from the union representing Southwest flight attendants reads. “Safety for all passengers and crew members on board is the number-one job of flight attendants, and it should be the number-one concern for Southwest Airlines.”
American Stands Alone Withholding Alcohol from Main Cabin
With the move, American Airlines is the only airline not offering alcohol to main cabin passengers. While Delta Air Lines never stopped service, United Airlines resumed offering libations on November 15, 2021. American previously suggested they would not bring back alcohol service until the face mask mandate ends.
People seem to drink before and during flights to calm themselves down. Don't know if it's a catalyst for belligerance.
Poor things! They might have to walk throught he cabin again!
What a bunch of whiners. Other airlines out there never ended alcohol and snack service throughout the pandemic.
I know many excellent FA's with numerous airlines. But I am not surprised by the pushback here. A higher proportion (vs. international airlines) of US FA's have a poor attitude, provide bare minimum service and hide in the galley and play with their phones during flights.
I don't follow the logic that alcohol is the cause of the increase in conflicts when alcohol has been served on flights for decades, nor do I understand what alcohol sales have to do with the mask mandates.
This sounds to me like the flight attendants got used to not having to provide cabin service.
This is Southwest. There isn't much cabin service anyway.
1) bar fights are a thing (mostly) because of alcohol. 2) When drunk, people are more likely to do stupid sh*t 3) A fair number of people have their panties all twisted about the mask mandate and are more likely to go from snarky comment to verbal/physical abuse that will get them banned from flying because... see #1 and #2. The logic isn't hard.
Yes. . I have been on flights where yes, they had been drinking in the airport, demanded drinks on board. I have been on
I am just someone who loves to fly. So thank you for your response.
Again, alcohol has been served in airports and on flights for decades without issue. The correlation with the mask mandate is just speculation.
People also used to behave on airlines with or without alcohol for decades without issue. That's CLEARLY not the case anymore, as society is devolving instead of evolving.