Hi All,
Reported In a statement to FOX Business, the airline said United Flight 1813, which left Houston on July 25 and was destined for Los Angeles, had to be diverted to Phoenix “due to a disruptive passenger who continually refused to follow the flight attendant’s instructions to return to her seat.”
“Law enforcement officials met the aircraft on arrival and removed the passenger, and the flight subsequently departed for Los Angeles later that evening,” a United Airlines spokesperson said. “The customer has been banned from future United flights while we review this matter.”
The flight attendant then says, “You came on the plane with wine. I was nice enough to let you on the aircraft… this is how you are going to treat me?”
“I helped you get on the aircraft, and this is how you are going to treat me?” the attendant then tells her. “You were crying and I gave you a hug, because you told me you were having anxiety. And I helped you, and I knew you were drinking wine, and you are not allowed to. And I still let you on the aircraft. There is children, families onboard.” cited from Fox Business News
Aircraft safety is an unforgiving priority, and the danger of onboarding drunk passengers in flights is a grave concern for airlines worldwide. Intoxicated passengers can cause significant disruptions, from unruly behavior to potential threat for fellow passengers and crew members. A flight’s confined space and high-altitude conditions can exacerbate the effects of alcohol, escalating situations quickly. Not only can drunk passengers compromise the safety and comfort of those onboard, but they can also cause costly flight diversions, leading to delays and additional expenses. Airlines, therefore, must maintain stringent policies against permitting intoxicated individuals onboard, underscoring the importance of responsible drinking before and during flights. After all, the safety, comfort, and well-being of all passengers should be of paramount importance in any air travel experience.
One of the most significant impacts of onboarding drunk passengers is the potential risk to safety. Intoxicated passengers can become unruly or aggressive, causing disruption in the cabin and drawing attention away from important safety procedures. Apart from whatever happened in the United flight , an example of this occurred in 2017 on a Ryanair flight from Latvia to Dublin, where a drunk passenger became violent, causing the flight to be diverted to Denmark and leading to multiple arrests (AirLive, 2017).
Another impact is the potential for damage to the aircraft or injury to other passengers. For example, in 2014, a drunk passenger on an Air Canada flight tried to open a cabin door mid-flight. The passenger was restrained, but the incident caused considerable panic and distress among other passengers (BBC News, 2014).
Regulation of Alcoholic Beverages in Airlines
To mitigate these risks, airlines have developed specific policies to regulate the consumption of alcohol before and during flights. One common approach is to limit the amount of alcohol served to passengers. Airlines such as American Airlines and United have policies in place to refuse service to passengers who appear intoxicated (American Airlines, 2021; United Airlines, 2021).
Airline staff also receive training to identify signs of intoxication and to manage potentially disruptive situations. This includes the ability to deny boarding to passengers who appear drunk or become disruptive in the boarding area.
Airlines also work closely with airport authorities and law enforcement to deal with drunk passengers. This collaboration could be seen in the UK’s “One Too Many” campaign, which serves to educate passengers about the consequences of disruptive behavior, including the potential for fines, flight bans, and imprisonment (UK Civil Aviation Authority, 2018).
In summary, onboarding drunk passengers in air travel significantly impacts the safety and comfort of all passengers. Intoxicated passengers have caused serious disruptions, and in some extreme scenarios, have threatened the safety of the flight. Therefore, airlines have developed comprehensive policies to regulate the consumption of alcohol and manage drunk passengers. However, it is crucial for passengers to understand their responsibilities in respecting these regulations to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for all.
Stay Safe !!!
Salam Sehat Semangat Sukses
Bambang Purnomo , SS-BA, CSCA, CAVM Solution Consultant
