Originally Posted by
st530
Visit was marred by the following experience at the end. After I left the Dining Room I took my laptop bag and 1/3 full glass of champagne to a seat in the main lounge. Went to the restroom and on the way back, stopped at the bar for a fresh glass of of champagne. Back at my seat, about 3 minutes later, the same bartender who gave me the fresh glass was wandering the lounge, spotted my two glasses, asked if both were mine, and after I said yes, she grabbed the fresh one and said “You can get a new glass when you’ve finished the first one. Lounge policy.” I then asked her if she could also collect the empty Sprite can and glass that had been uncollected from the prior guest, and she rolled her eyes and said “I’ll send someone”. She never did. 10 minutes later I left for my flight. Good leads the way!
I've noticed IAH bar staff in particular are very snippy and quick to assume patrons are drinking too much or are intoxicated. I've witnessed this at least half a dozen times over my probably 20 visits, as both the target and observer, only once did I think the bar staff was correct in their observations (of another passenger I did not know). I have been a licensed server in 4 states, have taken alcohol service training mandated by states for 20 years and certainly can spot it no problem, but maybe the penalties in TX or Houston are so severe that they don't want to take a chance. Alternatively, it may be part of UA's rumored passenger behavior monitoring to prevent inflight issues. Either way, when its clear staff are over-reaching I find it very frustrating.