Crew Keeping Tabs
Jun 13, 2017 | 9:48 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
Have just returned from a flight in J where the new inflight Samsung ordering system was being used. I overheard crew speaking to one another about how much x passenger had to drink.
As someone who likes to make the most of J (And by that I mean sample a few things), provided I don't have work right after, I'd not want tabs kept like that. The crew are for the most part very obliging with food and drinks, I'd even say encouraging on some routes by the time you move on to port etc! That said, I wonder if this new system is also keeping tabs on passengers and if that information is 'stored' outside of the flight...
Note: The IATA does not actually have official guidelines apart from not serving those visibly inebriated, which would not be me. The issue is more with the storing of what I'd say is personal data.
As someone who likes to make the most of J (And by that I mean sample a few things), provided I don't have work right after, I'd not want tabs kept like that. The crew are for the most part very obliging with food and drinks, I'd even say encouraging on some routes by the time you move on to port etc! That said, I wonder if this new system is also keeping tabs on passengers and if that information is 'stored' outside of the flight...
Note: The IATA does not actually have official guidelines apart from not serving those visibly inebriated, which would not be me. The issue is more with the storing of what I'd say is personal data.
The reality is they're probably maintaining situational awareness... because (as FAs love to tell everyone on the planet) their first job is safety. Which is why the call button doesn't have a picture of a person serving a drink... oh wait.
Jun 13, 2017 | 12:40 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,050
Jun 14, 2017 | 3:47 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2011
Location: South Island, NZ
Programs: IHG Ambassador, Air NZ Silver, Emirates Silver
Posts: 568
There is another side to this... staff who constantly top you up without asking. Not that I'm complaining 
On my last trip from DXB-AMS, the plane went tech after pushback. I then had 2 hours wait before pushing back again.
In that 2 hours on the ground - I got through a bottle of the P2. I'd just about had enough, and went to the loo. When I came back my glass was full again.
The serious drinking started after take off
On my last trip from DXB-AMS, the plane went tech after pushback. I then had 2 hours wait before pushing back again.
In that 2 hours on the ground - I got through a bottle of the P2. I'd just about had enough, and went to the loo. When I came back my glass was full again.
The serious drinking started after take off
Jun 14, 2017 | 4:42 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,663
Given the OP resides in SYD they would be well aware of RSA rules.
I mean, we are a country where pubs were (some still are) tiled on the outside because as men would drink heavily before they closed at 6PM they could vomit all over the outside and it could be hosed down....
I mean, we are a country where pubs were (some still are) tiled on the outside because as men would drink heavily before they closed at 6PM they could vomit all over the outside and it could be hosed down....
Jun 14, 2017 | 5:06 pm
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
This is simply sound practice, whether it is required by law, company policy or common sense. At FL 40, it is not simply a matter of tossing someone off the bus.
The standard usually has nothing to do with "drunk" and everything to do with "appearance of impairment".
I expect CC on long-haul flights in premium cabins to monitor alcohol consumption and cut someone off well before they become a problem.
While conversations should not have been overheard by pax, the fact that CC communicate with each other is important and good.
The standard usually has nothing to do with "drunk" and everything to do with "appearance of impairment".
I expect CC on long-haul flights in premium cabins to monitor alcohol consumption and cut someone off well before they become a problem.
While conversations should not have been overheard by pax, the fact that CC communicate with each other is important and good.
Jun 14, 2017 | 7:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Bottom of the barrel, have to pay for bags.
Posts: 954
Oh goodness, when I first saw the title I thought the crew was starting to keep "tabs" as in "bar tabs" on us for later payment... you know, to bolster revenue!
I live in the amber zone... at least for the first few hours! Then to rehydration and sleep. One time I got flashing amber but I think they were joking with me.
I live in the amber zone... at least for the first few hours! Then to rehydration and sleep. One time I got flashing amber but I think they were joking with me.
Jun 14, 2017 | 9:36 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
This is simply sound practice, whether it is required by law, company policy or common sense. At FL 40, it is not simply a matter of tossing someone off the bus.
The standard usually has nothing to do with "drunk" and everything to do with "appearance of impairment".
I expect CC on long-haul flights in premium cabins to monitor alcohol consumption and cut someone off well before they become a problem.
While conversations should not have been overheard by pax, the fact that CC communicate with each other is important and good.
The standard usually has nothing to do with "drunk" and everything to do with "appearance of impairment".
I expect CC on long-haul flights in premium cabins to monitor alcohol consumption and cut someone off well before they become a problem.
While conversations should not have been overheard by pax, the fact that CC communicate with each other is important and good.
Jun 15, 2017 | 7:56 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,791
Perhaps for the non-avgeeks FL40 = 4000ft above mean sea level at standard atmosphere and temperature (ISA) (i.e. assuming the air pressure is 1013hPa). The reference was presumably intended to be FL400, generally below a transition altitude which varies from country to country (18000ft in most of the US I think, in South Africa it's usually about 9000ft) aircraft fly at altitude, which is height above sea level at actual air pressure.
An airliner would never normally fly at FL40, as the only time a flight level would be used at such low altitude is if they are a certain distance from the nearest airport (depending on the country in the region of 25-40nm as then the air pressure at the airport can no longer be relied upon due to the distance from the measuring point). Another time an aircraft would fly at FL40 is if the actual air pressure is equal to ISA pressure (1013hPa or 29.92inHg), though they'd technically be flying an altitude of 4000ft which happens to also be FL40.
/nerdmode off