How many drinks is too many drinks?

[Canny man]

Each to his own as long as it doesn't inconvenience anyone. However, I did wonder whether the person I saw chugging a plastic bottle of wine down in one as soon as it was served might be a little thirstier than the average passenger.

 

[Pushka]

I did wonder whether he was going to drive home when he left the flight. I think they ran out of Fosters and then he was on to James Squires. I just threw this as a question out there, I thought it was too much for a 55 minute trip, given the need for restroom visits and the window seat. Interesting to hear other's opinions. Anyone who sits in business class can drink to their heart's content as far as I'm concerned, because unless they get nasty drunk, then what they do doesn't impact on anyone else - but economy is a different story. Everything you do impacts on someone else so behaviour needs to be moderated accordingly. Especially when we are talking here of 55 minutes!

 

[harvyk]

I did wonder whether he was going to drive home when he left the flight. I think they ran out of Fosters and then he was on to James Squires. I just threw this as a question out there, I thought it was too much for a 55 minute trip, given the need for restroom visits and the window seat. Interesting to hear other's opinions. Anyone who sits in business class can drink to their heart's content as far as I'm concerned, because unless they get nasty drunk, then what they do doesn't impact on anyone else - but economy is a different story. Everything you do impacts on someone else so behaviour needs to be moderated accordingly. Especially when we are talking here of 55 minutes!

Y \ J \ F (excluding private suites) anything you do in an aircraft can impact on someone else, be it a short or long flight. I have no problem with people wanting a drink or three, but I think it is as much about how they go about it.

The most uncomfortable I've ever been on a plane was a OMG O'Clock flight from AKL-MEL. Where the guy I was sitting next to was planning on getting a job in the mines and the three blokes sitting behind me where all plumbers who had scored an OS gig and where flying home for the weekend.

It wasn't so much that they where downing drink after drink (ignoring the fact it was technically only 8 am in AKL and 6 am in MEL), it was they where getting pretty rowdy in doing so. I have to admit I was quite surprised that the FA kept on giving them booze well past when I thought that they had more than enough (To the point I expect a pub would have also started question the amounts they had drunk).

As for the FA's doing RSA courses, well ok I haven't done an RSA course myself, but Mrs Harvyk has, and she has mentioned to me on multiple occasions at pubs where she has seen people who should not have been given a drink, and yet where not cut off. So just because someone has done an RSA course does not mean that they will actually cut someone off. I expect commercial pressures probably plays a big part, although I guess a difference is that you can't get off the current aircraft and into another aircraft mid flight to continue drinking, so if they do cut someone off, it can be enforced.

 

[tuapekastar]

It's certainly more than I would drink on a 55 minute flight (unless the FA kept bringing them unbidden ), but I can't see I'd have an issue with it, provided, as others have stated, all else was OK with the pax in question. Annoying, sure, to have to get up a couple of times in such a short trip, but not a big deal in the overall scheme of things.

He does not match my mining engineer mate's colleague from years ago, on a Wynyard to MEL flight on a prop plane (probably similar duration to this one) who managed several beers, then after final descent was announced - seat belt signs on, cabin crew strapped in, only a minute or two at most till landing - pressed the call button. FA unbuckled and rushed to the seat and breathlessly asked what the problem was. "Two more beers thanks" was the reply. My mate wanted a hole to open up and swallow him!

 

[Shelf]

Each to his own as long as it doesn't inconvenience anyone...

I agree with this. If i intended to 'give it a nudge' on a flight i wouldn't be sitting anywhere other than an aisle

 

[amaroo]

There is this TR over on FT 8 bottles of Dom from LAX-BKK on SQ in F - FlyerTalk Forums that makes 3 lousy cans of Fosters look like your average morning tea!

It's worth a read if you haven't already - very well written & very funny!

 

[Pushka]

Annoying, sure, to have to get up a couple of times in such a short trip, but not a big deal in the overall scheme of things.
...seat belt signs on, cabin crew strapped in, only a minute or two at most till landing - pressed the call button. FA unbuckled and rushed to the seat and breathlessly asked what the problem was. "Two more beers thanks" was the reply. My mate wanted a hole to open up and swallow him!

Well, his last request to go to the loo was at this stage - seat belts on and crew all strapped in...... Needless to say I didn't unbuckle and let him out.

 

[cptchris]

Maybe the guy could have given Boonie a run for his money at that rate!

 

[tuapekastar]

Well, his last request to go to the loo was at this stage - seat belts on and crew all strapped in...... Needless to say I didn't unbuckle and let him out.

And that's fair enough! I would not have let him out either.

 

[whatmeworry]

IIRC the human bladder can only handle 1 litre before one has to visit the facilities. So this guy was probably drinking before or might have a medical condition.

Some people I have observed flying, I feel try to maximise the "offerings" they can drink/eat/use. I don't really mind this, but sometimes the extreme maximisers hogging of FA's lessens the quality the rest of the passengers receive.

 

[rechoboam]

And that's fair enough! I would not have let him out either.

I'm a bit taken aback by this thread

Fosters is barely alcoholic. Two beers would barely be equivalent to a small bottle of wine (200ml).
Even I would only be tipsy with 3 cans and I wouldn't usually drink more than a single glass of red with dinner. If he is a regular drinker he would have been pretty much sober I imagine-it doesn't sound like he was passing out.

Sydney to broken hill, the crew were out of full strength beer in 15 minutes and the light beer went soon after that.

I agree with bossreggie , the person who has a glass of champagne before leaving the J lounge and 2 glasses on board before take off won't be looked askance at. Oh right that's me!

As for the toilet visits, No-one can control their physiology (I realize that drinking p$&@weak beer doesn't help). As a VERY famous heavy Australian drinker said, as he got up to use the facilities after the flaps were up and my friend and the CC strapped in:
"if a man's gotta go, a man's gotta go!"

 

[TonyHancock]

He should not be drinking beer like this on a flight.

Firstly one has to drink too much to get the desired effect.

Secondly too much drinking time is wasted in the toilet.

Straight spirits is the way to go. He could probably have got 4 or 5 in during the flight and not had to worry about the toilet. Wine is another alternative but I don't think it is as effective as spirits.

"Hic"

 

[drron]

Perceptions can sometimes be very wrong.Now bear in mind that I share Boonies Birthday and won the Australasian Medical students drinking contest in Adelaide in 1966 and successfully defended my title in Dunedin in 1968(I didn't go to the conference in 67).
So I was attending a medical conference in Mykonos-yes I know why do they hold conferences in such remote,uninteresting places-and we went to the"Shirley Valentine" restaurant for a conference dinner.Now it was the restaurants last day before they closed for the season,I had sat down unknowingly under the photo of the Film's Director or someone else behind the camera.The staff all began making a fuss of me.It was then pointed out that the photo could well have been of me.Now was I one to knock back Greek hospitality and free Ouzo????Of course not.I was certainly merry and could have been the life of the party.However mrsdrron was sitting opposite and the unnamed doctor sitting next to her leaned over and said-"How long has your husband had a drinking problem?"
Well i was no where near my limit and I deny to this day that I have ever had a problem drinking.
So Mr Window Seat may very well have been nervous as has been suggested or he may just have a well trained liver.

 

[simongr]

Perceptions can sometimes be very wrong.Now bear in mind that I share Boonies Birthday and won the Australasian Medical students drinking contest in Adelaide in 1966 and successfully defended my title in Dunedin in 1968(I didn't go to the conference in 67).

Was 67 as a result of the activities of 66?

 

[midcoast1]

Well, his last request to go to the loo was at this stage - seat belts on and crew all strapped in...... Needless to say I didn't unbuckle and let him out.

It appears the only real issue was having to get up so he could go to the toilet . No big deal for a short flight .

 

[munitalP]

This sounds like a challenge. About to board QF BNE/SYD, about the same distance. I'm aiming for 4 crownies

 

[bossreggie]

This sounds like a challenge. About to board QF BNE/SYD, about the same distance. I'm aiming for 4 crownies

Well done munitalP..... That is "research" which I find most valuable.

You are a credit to your fellow AFF'ers.

Boss

 

[Pushka]

This sounds like a challenge. About to board QF BNE/SYD, about the same distance. I'm aiming for 4 crownies

But you must only pay for one, like my guy and still be drinking it when you land. And make a dash for the loo when the seat belt sign has pinged on and crew are seated for landing. Otherwise you lose. Besides, that's a 90 minute flight.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Just did 3 drinks BNE/SYD, mid day flight as I hate working.
Now prepping for dinner, the North Asian clients are in town so will have to pace myself.

 

[777]

Maybe he's scared of flying and the few drinks help calm him down??

I must confess my own fear of flying comes and goes but there have definitely been times when i've used this technique.