FA Drinking while deadheading
 

"I'm not gladys kravitz, I'm just posting way more detail than is necessary to ask my question on a heavily trafficed public internet forum"

@OP Why do you care about this?

I think that's the key - deadhead vs. non-rev.

I believe (without great certainty) that DL policy prohibits alcohol for deadheading pilots and FAs. I also believe that there is no FAR (Federal Aviation regulation) around this. One certainly can non-rev out of uniform - although Delta does have a non-rev dress code. Presence of a company ID isn't indicative: one would have needed ID to non-rev.

One who is I believe a Delta pilot employee reached out to me via FT Private Message to give some clarity on the possible status of the noted FA. This is my understanding:

scheduled on duty = no drinking (seems obvious enough!)

deadheading = no drinking by company policy. Deadheading is a scheduled flight at the company's convenience (back to base, or start from out-of-base); it counts toward FAA duty hour limits.

listing for the extra FA jump seat = no drinking by company policy. No drinking even if not occupying the extra FA jump seat. This is a designated crew member even if not scheduled. One might choose to list for the jump seat to have a better chance of flying than trying as non-rev.

If I have this wrong I hope others will correct me.

3Cforme - Delta Forum Moderator

Is there an FT Wiki page that lists all the criteria for a valid thread post? I wanna make sure going forward I only ask questions that are deemed justified and appropriate.
I am asking the fellas who complained about the OP's post...

It seems very likely that DL can figure out who anyone on this board is if they post enough.

I think the issue is less that it was posted and more that it was presented as "just an innocent question" yet there were plenty of details that could actually lead to DL determining the employee being discussed. when you are truly asking a question for curiosity's sake, there is a way to phrase it. When you are being a busy-body and trying to play gotcha, there's a way to phrase that as well.

It's also possible the flight attendant was not a DL flight attendant, but one from another airline opting to list for a jump seat cabin agreement. This is an agreement between airlines to allow other FA's to travel reciprocally for free if they don't have direct benefits with the airline they are flying on (like a Spirit FA trying to fly on DL metal). Doing this gives them the lowest standby priority, but it's free and an alternative to using a ZED (Zonal Employee Discount) fare. DL doesn't typically allow FA's to sit in FA on this type of agreement, but ultimately the gate agent may have had a moment of being nice when they shouldn't have and gave it anyhow.

Help me out here, why in the world would Delta employees not in their uniform/deadheading/working in any capacity be displaying their badge? At most companies I have worked with you get in trouble if you are wearing your badge off the clock and/or in street clothes.

Often if you wear your badge, you can go threw the crew member security instead of regular. Also, if you are flying standby or whatever, it's much easier to identify yourself as a Delta employee with your badge. I have seen this ALL the time, on multiple airlines so this isn't out of place at all. That being said, if they're not in uniform, they can do whatever they want within reason. If they want to drink, there is nothing to stop them unless they drink to excess is there a problem. I seriously don't understand why this is even an issue. I think the OP has too much time on their hands.

Yeah but wouldn't after they show it to security/a Delta employee you put it away? At the companies I've worked for SOP is you only show it when you're working, getting a discount, or doing something with it. When you don't wear it no one suspects anything. When you wear it you out yourself as an employee of the company to not only customers but other employees/higher ups as well, making your actions very representative of the company.

I am on a regular flight where a Pilot often is in uniform sititng in first he drinks me under the tray table all the time.

Flight personnel often go through KCM (known crew member) and then show their ID at the gate if they want/need to pick up a paper boarding pass. At this point in time, they could certainly take off their ID, however, some leave them on, perhaps for fear of losing them in their bag when they may need it or want to show it. If you look at flight attendants who are working a flight, occasionally you'll see a DL FA with their ID around their neck tucked into their shirt/jacket. It isn't a requirement, but they want it handy just in case.

you are a smart commentator. Why would a pilot or aircrew in the military, most airline pilots are not, be heralded for a drink at the bar. However, same person, airline uniform be out of compliance? Most not even members of the reserve components. Two jobs same person.

Abner, did you see that?

I believe that's a matter of company policy - confirmed by our discreet pilot private messenger. It doesn't surprise me that Delta would set standards for pilot behavior in-uniform, even while off duty. (They don't want people to think 'Hey, that pilot just finished his fourth drink, and now he's going to fly a plane!)

As far as I'm aware there are some very concerning things with what OP brought up that should be reported.

If you are in uniform you are prohibited from drinking. So if this FA was in uniform and even had her badge on then she is 100% in the wrong and needs to be reported. This is against Delta policies and could jeopardize other pass travelers in the future making travel harder for them. You also mentioned that she had a ticket that said "FA Jumpseat Request" on it. If so she needs to be doubly reported because she would then be breaking FAA regulations.

On the flight manifest she would be listed as a non-operating crew member (which is different from a passenger or nonrev standby employee). If anything was to ever happen to the flight she would be subject to investigation as a crew member and not a passenger which means alcohol tests and other regulations that result in response to an aircraft incident. As a crew member (even non-operating crew member) you are subject to the same policies on drinking.

The bottom line is that the only acceptable to drink if you are listed as a non-rev standby traveler.

It may not seem like a big deal or the notion of not reporting someone for being "that person" but it's a serious offense. Please don't feel like you're in the wrong if you report them, you won't be and you'll be keeping the industry safe. I know many non-rev travelers who will thank you.

Edit: I'll also add that other airline employees traveling on another airline are expected to not drink if they're in uniform.

First post of the thread, per the OP, states she was NOT in uniform.

Also, wasn't this thread locked a day ago, and is now mysteriously un-locked again?

I was the forum moderator who locked it, and then unlocked it with further info. If discussion can maintain civility (and be consistent with other FT posting rules - link below) I'm happy to let it proceed.

https://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#threadtitles

3Cforme - Delta Forum Moderator

Just adding general information but back to what I was saying is that her ticket type prohibits her from drinking.

Ahem... cough...cough... latecomer here so please be patient.
Did OP actually see this FA drinking? For all I know they asked for 2 bottles of liquor during pre departure service.
They may very well have bagged it for drinking at the destination.

Since they were occupying passenger seats can't they do whatever they want to do (within reason)? They probably requested jumpseats because that isn't as dependent on seats being empty.

Just a curious question. If you are a airline employee and not working and wearing "street clothes" Why do you wear your work lanyard? It doesn't get you a better seat, it might get you a free drink but other than that why wear it? Is it a "Look at me I work for X airline"? The last thing I would want people to know is that i'm an employee. No need to answer questions, remarks about how I got this eat, etc.

Well, another employee reached out to me via PM - and cited the ops manual! It seems pilots and FAs have different rules in this situation:

"F/As NOT riding in the jumpseat are treated differently than a pilot NOT riding in the jumpseat, provided they are still not wearing a uniform and don't return to the jumpseat. They would be elegible to come alcohol." Absent being a deadhead leg, of course.

FA in the jump seat = no alcohol

FA not in the jump seat (nor returning to jump seat) and not in uniform = OK to consume. Just listing for the jump seat isn't, itself, disqualifying.

So, going back to the original post: Not in uniform and Not in jump seat = no violation.

So most airlines work on "flow back" and while she may have sat in a passenger seat that's not how she's listed on the manifest. She would be listed as a non-operating crew member. Which is a no-go for consuming drinks.