Comebacks to passengers "Hope you haven't been drinking" or something to that effect

[Vastly Underemp]

Sorry all, no funnies that can top what has already been said (I hope the authors don't mind if I steal their material) but,


I did have a passenger accuse my F/A of being drunk. This apparently happened prior to gate departure and someone got off the plane. We had left the gate and were taxiing out (LGA of all places) when over company freq I was informed of the accusation. We went back to the gate and I removed the entire crew after informing the cabin the reason for the return. We all went to medical for both drug and alcohol tests. The flight was picked up by a standby crew (only 2 hours late) and we got to go home early. As I understand, the passenger was a bit unpopular for the rest of the flight.

 

[SennaP1]

I may be drunk today, but tommorrow I'll be sober, BUT you'll still be ugly.

 

[CoolSidePillow]

Pax: "So have you been drinking?"

Me: "You mean like in general or recently?"

Pax: "You know like before this flight"

Me: "I havent slept in about 36 hours... I am too damn tired to drink but it is the FO's leg so I can catch up"

 

[starvingredtail]

No, does your wife's a$$ have it's own zip code?

 

[Visceral]

My response,

NO Sir/Ma'am I have not been drinking, but since you've made the accusation or assumption, Myself and my FO will be leaving the aircraft at this time to have a blood alcohol test performed by law enforcement!!! I would make sure I say it loud enough for the rest of the pax to hear, why the flight will be delayed!!

During these times when you have rent a cops and bag screeners sniffing around you trying to smell your breath, I won't take any chances!! I have nothing to hide, and would demand a breath test to prove my innocence. It may deter some big mouth from spouting off next time!! Now, if they really do smell something and have a valid concern, that's one thing, but some loud mouth obnoxious idiot just trying to be funny is totally different!!!

My .2%

Why drag your F/O into this? I'm assuming they asked you not him. Might buy him another 30 minutes minimum to sober up. :beer:

 

[xjhawk]

yeah, the response that the crew will have to go get tested for alcohol and the flight will be cancelled really shuts up most......

 

[Exskydiverdrivr]

"well, yeah. I kept thinking one more would finally make your old lady look a little better last night...."

Dont' you just wish you could.....

 

[radarlove]

Right or wrong, I've had it happen to me and we did that exact thing. The result, got pay protected for the trip, got an extra 1/2 hour of pay for drug testing, and that day they were opening the new hanger, so I had a free lunch too. Got to love it when a plan comes together. Oh yeah, we both tested negative.

So who tested you? The only way the company can is through random or "reasonable suspicion", so which was it?

There is no provision to be tested because you feel like it.

 

[Vastly Underemp]

Not for nothing, but I think a passenger accusing a flight crew member of being under the influence qualifies for reasonable suspicion......

 

[radarlove]

Nope. It doesn't. It's gotta come from a trained supervisor who knows how to look for the "signs".

If you get tested, they have to check a box: random, reasonable suspicion or post-accident.

I think this yahoo and I have had this argument before.

Under DOT regs, there is no provision for making someone you don't like take a drug or alcohol test, they have all sorts of protections built in to keep it from being a puntitive action.

A passenger being a smart-ass doesn't cause an alcohol test.

Now if you found a cop, instead of going to your company, he might oblige. But I doubt it.

 

[CatfishVT9]

I am am Naval Aviator, I will not drink.....

But if I drink, I will not get drunk......

But if I get drunk, I will not stagger....

But if I stagger, I will not fall.....

But if I fall, I will fall on my face so you can't see my wings.
:beer:

 

[Oh-ryan]

I am am Naval Aviator, I will not drink.....

But if I drink, I will not get drunk......

But if I get drunk, I will not stagger....

But if I stagger, I will not fall.....

But if I fall, I will fall on my face so you can't see my wings.
:beer:

you wore your leather flight jacket in your civvies didn't you?

 

[Gorilla]

So who tested you? The only way the company can is through random or "reasonable suspicion", so which was it?

There is no provision to be tested because you feel like it.

Actually, there is. I had a friend remove himself from the airplane (just walked away after a FAM accused him of being drunk), drive himself to the hospital, and simply ask for a BAC test. The test included witnesses and correct, legal procedures. Hospitals do them daily for the police and they'll have no problems doing it for you.

 

[Big Air]

A: "No. Did you remember to register as a convicted pedophile?"
Look at the FA and say "Let's make sure he isn't sitting near any Unaccompanied Minors."

 

[Mach 80]

I'll never let some passenger's "Have you been drinking?" type comment delay my flight or cause any crewmember's to be pulled off my flight. I will not allow him to have that power or give him the satisfaction. Most airline ops manuals basicly say the same thing. I turn it around on him and simply tell him if he persists, he'll be removed from the flight for causing other passengers to get upset and for disruptive behavior. A passenger's comment is not a viable reason for a test or crew removal so don't give the idiot the power.

 

[Vastly Underemp]

Dear radarlove,

By yahoo I'm sure you were referring to the internet service provider that I use to access this wonderful forum and it's freeform exchange of ideas. Sadly, you and I have not in the past had a lively exchange of viewpoints and experiences on the current topic, so I fear you may be mistaken in that regard. Although I'm sure you are quite knowledgable and have extensive experience and expertise on the topic, I have in a previous post relayed a personal experience of an actual occurence of real events that actually happened. My crewmember was accused, I removed my entire crew, we were all tested, the "reasonable suspicion" box was checked off, we were removed from duty until the completion of the tests, and we were paid the union-negotiated compensation. I'm quite sure that if my employer of the time did not have to compensate us they would have elected to forgo forbearance.

Perhaps this was a case of "opening your mouth and removing all doubt."

Highest regards,

Vastly

 

[DIAMONDDD]

"Yeah, well......The 'Jerk Store' called. They said they're out of YOU"
Ha

 

[Spud]

There are two separate issues imho.

One- "hope you guy's havn't been drinki'n" gets a "not yet" or a "not funny"

Two- "Hey- I just saw you guys drinking at the hotel bar"...Thats when I pull out the riot act and escort said individual to the jetway. If he apologizes as seems genuinely remorseful I'll let it go. If he's a jerk... then we start the pilot rep clearing manuever.