ursine1

Assuming Southwest is operating under the laws of Texas as you suggest, I see nothing in the TABC Alcoholic Beverage Code that prohibits serving miniature bottles with the cap still on.

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/laws/cod.../AllTitles.pdf

Eemraldskies

It is company policy to serve alcoholic beverages mixed, unless requested by the passenger to mix their own. Either way it is company policy (and an FA can face discipline for not doing so) to serve alcohol without the caps.

Argue any point you like - it's company policy. Yes, there are Flight Attendants who fly by their own rules - you see it every day. The vast majority do not.

ursine1

Yes, I assume it's a company policy. I was refuting the earlier claims that it was required by law.

Eemraldskies

It is true that we are not allowed to sell liquor on the ground because we do not have a liquor license for that. Alcohol can only be sold in the air and must be consumed in the air - not taken off the A/C.

I don't know what law that is, or where to find the info, but I do know that is what we are told.

pinniped

That's consistent with what I've heard across other airlines - even ones that serve PDB's: you aren't supposed to take it with you. I remember our honeymoon trip - the FA slipped a full bottle of sparkling wine into my carryon bag just before we landed in Hawaii. More recently I've heard that they are definitely *not* supposed to do that!!

I also know that many liquor laws require the server to open the drink before serving (otherwise it's considered package liquor, covered by a different license). I've never heard of any rules related to premixing vs. not premixing cocktails.

jamesteroh

Makes sense seeing WN would be selling it and not giving it away like airlines do with a PDB. However in the case of Spirit in Business Class, RK would comp alcohol so they weren't selling it in that cabin, just like legacys don't charge for the booze in their PDB.

sanFF

Actually Southwest could provide liquor on the ground in San Diego because they actually have a liquor liscense at the SAN airport with ABC.
You can look it up here...abc.ca.gov

expert7700

Also remember that at least in TX, decades ago Southwest gave away tens of thousands of full size bottles and became the largest liquor distributor in TX.

I've seen WN give away several bottles of champagne, always telling the pax "this is for AFTER your flight, understand??"

InkUnderNails

I was given a mini of top shelf bourbon and was scolded by a DL flight attendant for drinking it. She said it was against federal law to drink alcohol that they did not sell.

Next time she will not catch me.

jamesteroh

I was told you are only to consume alcohol on a plane purchased (or given to you) on board. I have a travel coffee cup I always have with me and if my upgrade on Delta doesn't clear, and I want something to drink on board before the cabin service, I will make myself a to go cup in the skclub and take it on board with me, put it in my travel mug, and haven't been scolded yet

pinniped

Does the law really allow that distinction? I mean, the reality is that anyone in Biz or F is paying for the drinks one way or another.

I remember long ago going to tailgate parties in college - highly organized, professional ones - where it was a $10 or $20 cover and then "free" beer inside. The organizers had no liquor licenses...they were just sharing beer with friends. The productions eventually got so big - hosted by radio stations and other businesses - that finally the local authorities said no, if you're charging a cover you're basically selling the liquor. The next year, a couple radio stations kept truly free beer tents going but they eventually faded away entirely.

Likewise, it seems that buying an F ticket is effectively paying for all of the amenities of F, including the liquor.

jamesteroh

They may be able to sell liquor on the ground actually, not sure. I am surprised the way airlines are nickle and diming people to death they don't offer to sell PDB's in coach.

Something I am curious about as well is how a liquor license in the sky works. If WN is in an airspace over a state they don't have gates in, do they have pay for a state liquor license for that state since they are serving in their airspace. Or with alcohol service on a redeye. If the plane is over a state at 2:30 a.m. that has a cutoff time of 2 a.m., can they still serve in the air over that space? Or in Michigan they can't serve after either 6 or 8 p.m. on Christmas eve (and this includes the casinos), so if WN has a Christmas eve flight after that time, can they still serve liquor while in Michigan in the air.

ursine1

Airlines have their legal teams review the liquor laws of the states they buy and warehouse liquor in (and occasionally, in special circumstances, some of the states they fly into and out of), and then craft company policies that try to address the requirements of those laws. The FAA requires that FAs not serve intoxicated passengers or anyone under 21, and that airlines monitor that the intoxicated don't board the plane or any pax drink their own alcohol onboard. Some airlines may have a "most restrictive" policy, meaning that if the state(s) their liquor license are from require, for example, no sales during a certain time, then that becomes their company policy for all flights. Other's may take the opposite approach. The bottom line is that the company policy, as dictated by the legal team, with respect to the FAA rules, is the real overriding governing rule, rather than a specific liquor law from a specific state.

jamesteroh

Thanks!

Every airline I have flown has violated the above law though

DontCallMeShirley

This is correct. Bottom line is, it is NOT allowed. Strictly prohibited even if some still do it. Not worth the risk, if you ask me. And not fair to ask the flight attendant to take that risk.