Neither you nor I were there so we don’t know what the ‘in reality’ situation was.

you’d just smuggle your vodka in a bottle of Evian!

So, despite not being there and not interacting with the passenger like the CC did, you’ve come to the conclusion that the investigation was ‘cursory and ineffective’? Impressive!

‘In reality’ his condition was such that you have no idea what his condition was since you weren’t there. The OP indicated that he was asleep. I also find it difficult to respond when I’m asleep.

BA rules state that one must be physically fit and able to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency and that they must be willing to assist, and that they are able to read and understand English. I haven’t read anything in the OP’s account to suggest that he didn’t fulfil these conditions. It doesn’t say you cannot drink and it doesn’t say that you cannot be asleep. He was apparently elderly, but that’s such a relative term as to be almost meaningless and when pressed, the OP still couldn’t give an idea of how old he was.

There was also also nothing to suggest that he was unable to walk off the plane at the end of the flight. On the basis that that occurred only a few minutes after the landing (the critical time according to the OP) it’s reasonable to assume that he’d be able to get out of the exit in an emergency a couple of minutes earlier. I imagine in the event of an emergency he’d probably wake up fairly promptly. Of course I wasn’t there so I don’t know for sure.

No, you weren’t there. And nor was I.

But based on the same report by the OP which we have all seen, you have made your own assumptions and conclusions - just as I, and others, have done. It so happens that the various assumptions are all rather different.


We have of course all read the very same report of the incident as set out by the OP. However, based on that reading, we have, quite frankly, formed very different views.

My view (and of several others) is that there was a potential threat to passenger safety, and one which was handled in an unsatisfactory manner by cabin crew. Hence my previous comments, including one in which I say to the OP “there is good reason to follow up via appropriate channels, as already suggested by several posters upthread”

Your view (and of several others) is that there was no potential threat to safety, and that the whole matter was handled in a satisfactory manner by cabin crew. Hence your comment to the OP (regarding the question of taking things further) that “you raise it with no one”.

During the brief exchange which took place once the a/c had landed, the OP was clearly not happy with the tone and reaction of the CSD : “She was completely dismissive, and said it didn't matter as he was not seated by the window”. You, in contrast, imply that this response should have been good enough for the OP, when you say “the OP raised this with the crew, who decided it was not an unsafe situation”.

So there we have it. One report, but producing rather different perspectives.

For me, it has been uncomfortable (and perhaps also a little surprising) to see - within a thread intended to highlight safety-related requirements in respect of emergency exit row seating - even a small number of posts / likes with flippant references to alcohol ; and with more interest in whether or not the passenger in question enjoyed his flight, than any hint of concern for the many others whose safety could be put at risk.

After a number of posts in which I have said all I wish to contribute on the subject, I feel it’s the right time to drop out of the discussion.

Actually it wasn’t me that said ‘you raise it with no-one’. Also, as a point of pedantry, the OP did say it was a Mixed Fleet route which would mean it would have been a CSM rather than a CSD, though of course the role is similar.

As to the safety aspect, I find it surprising that people are so concerned about something that is so unlikely to happen.

This is the trouble with hyperbole of many posters with respect to aviation safety; they are concerned with something so unlikely whilst the oft ignore the likely, perhaps they would like to see the end of travellators for instance (far more likely to kill you than someone sat in an exit row who may be unable to open an exit which can of course happen irrespective of their serum alcohol level).

At the end end of the day, if the OP isn’t satisfied he can escalate it, we may not in his situation and may come to very different conclusions and there is unlikely to be any change as a result from BA or the CAA whose aim it is to manage risk appropriately.

indeed although I’m struggling to think of a 5 hour flight from anywhere in Europe to LHR let alone one operated by MF, on a Monday and in Feb.

The Europe bit may be artistic liicence. Beirut, Amman, Tel Aviv and Moscow are all on SH aircraft I think.