Originally Posted by
Often1
The sole question here is whether OP "appeared to be intoxicated" not whether he was intoxicated. ...More importantly, if one goes back and read the Rule, it is self-evident that no one staff member makes the decision and that the final call is made by the PIC ...What happened here is likely the routine. OP "appeared intoxicated" to staff. OP reported to PIC. Confab ensues and OP is told he won't be served on the flight. Option to offload.
Maybe for the first time in FT history, I am with Often1. For whatever reason, the OP likely appeared to have had one too many and the DL staff was trying to do their job and keep everyone safe. If the OP was definitely not intoxicated, chalk it up to "an abundance of caution" and move on. It's just a misunderstanding that erred on the side of safety. No one was injured in the making of this post.