Chugach

I was just told by a flight attendant that AS doesn’t serve alcohol to exit row passengers. When I explained I had never heard of that in 1.1 million miles on AS, the response was that “it’s always been that way”.

Meanwhile a different FA served the guy across from me champagne.

anteater

I don’t believe that is correct, but I’d have to inquire to be sure. You could always write into Customer Care.

I was once flying back from WDW (MCO), I was seated in an exit row and the FAs served me 13 drinks. YMMV.

🤙🏻🍹

Tack

Lol, I can’t even imagine what the FA would be referring to! Never heard that rule in all my time working at AS. I’m 6’5. If you don’t find me in a reasonably priced, paid FC seat or taking AAdvantage of a comp upg, the only other seat that you’ll find me in is an exit aisle. I’m easy to spot, I’m the tall, bald bloke with a couple of Jack or Woodford’s in my hand. I’m usually not a .....y flyer, but for that stupidity I’d complete an Alaska Listens.

SeaLuggageLover

It makes sense to me that alcohol would be prohibited in the exit row since you need to be able to act in the case of an emergency. I like a couple of drinks and a nap when I fly so I've always avoided those seats for this reason. That being said, I know plenty of people do order premium beverages in the exit row and I can't see anything in AS's publically stated policy that prohibits it. My hunch is that the FA was wrong. According to this Washington Post article, it's more a matter of etiquette.

​​​​​​https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...693_story.html

notquiteaff

Definitely not my experience that this is standard procedure on AS (or any other airline I have had the exit row experience).

djp98374

I agree.

they don’t want drunks to be relied upon in the exit rows

Tack

“Drunks” in an exit row are easy to avoid. The F/A’s just need to make sure that they follow the FAR’s and not over serve. Of course that FAR’s apply to all rows. Exit rows have never had a no alcohol requirement. I’ll take my Woodford now, Cheers!

djp98374

actually drunks are actually hard to assess. It depends greatly on their alcohol tolerance.

you might think someone is sober visually but they would fail a breath test. It’s easier to just not serve alcohol.

Aliquot

It would be very hard for an FA to evaluate if someone is drunk or not. Tolerance varies widely and if someone is sitting quietly they could be falling over drunk without anyone noticing. If the policy does exist, it makes sense.

Tack

Except on an aircraft it’s not difficult, it does require attention. To this topic, AS has a policy of having crew monitor alcohol intake. Throughout my time at AS I can count on half of a hand the number of times a crew member over-served. Alcohol service on an aircraft has very strict training for F/A’s. If they follow their training, managing a jet full of customers who want an adult beverage is only an issue for those FA’s that don’t feel like providing a full beverage service. No alcohol in an exit seat is not an AS policy. The FA above was wrong. On AS those that would like an alcoholic drink are free to imbibe, regardless of seat assignment. Those that prefer a non alcoholic drink are afforded the same right. Cheers.

Intl359Widget

Chugach While there is no official policy at Alaska, I feel this was the FA’s way of letting you know that you won’t be served any alcohol onboard today in a polite manner of cutting you off proactively.

Tack

Excellent point, if that was in fact the case, then the FA training worked as it should, he/she was attempting to be non confrontational and I will stand happily corrected. Chugach?

sltlyamusd

This doesn't make any sense. I haven't seen the beverage cart pass through more than twice on any flight I've been on recently, so unless someone is pounding back doubles, I find it hard to believe you'd get "drunk" in the exit row.

DutchessPDX

This is 100% my first thought.

Easy to have a few in the lounge/airport bar before boarding.

sltlyamusd

Correct, which is why it's an entirely different subject if the F/A judged a passenger to be somewhat intoxicated upon boarding and therefore refused to serve them alcohol.