So we were airborne and sitting in 4C I kept a fairly close eye on the J cabin, which was full. In fact the flight was chockers.
The trolley service began fairly late and it included a small bag of ginger cookies. I hate ginger cookies.
Being still technically on 'holiday' and with nothing to do that day, and faced with a two-hour flight, I thought "Well, why not relax with a beer while listening to some music?"
The FA asked what I would like to drink and asked her for a bottle of water and asked for a James Boag's Premium. Her reply:
"It's 10.30am, this is not Jetstar"
I kid you not without a hint of exaggeration. I was gobsmacked and it made me feel like an alcoholic. She said it quite loud, too. The guy next to me was appalled and the elderly woman next to him in the window seat was equally as shocked.
I replied politely, that I was aware I was not on a Jetstar flight and that it didn't matter and that I would like to enjoy a beer while listening to some music.
The FA said they didn't load any alcohol on the trolley because of the "early time of morning" and that they would have to get it from the J cabin. Silence and awkward pause. I think she was suggesting to me not to order. I said, "Thank you, that would be nice" and handed her my credit card. He reply (oh it just keeps getting better):
"We only take cash, it's Jetstar that takes credit cards".
By now I'd had enough, but didn't want to get into an argument as there's always only one winner in these situations and it's rarely the passenger. I handed her three $2 coins and waited.
A few minutes went by and another FA delivered my beer, gave me my money back and also gave me some savoury snacks and apologised for the other FA's behaviour.
I've copped a lot worse, so I just let it slide. Others wouldn't have.
So here's the infamous beer that caused so much offense. I don't care if I want a beer on a 6am flight. I wasn't hurting anyone.
