RSA MEL F Lounge Qantas Official Response (Refused Drinks)

[N860CR]

A bit harsh IMHO :!:

Just factually relaying an experience.

 

[Duffa]

My friend, a non-drinking doctor, guested me in to Qantas Club Melbourne today. I'd told him about this thread on the way to the airport ("OK Duffa, so you share life and travel experiences with people you've never met, on an anonymous internet forum,.... hmmm.....)
Anyway, I endeavoured to get the three drinks in, within the 90 minute time limit but we only had 60 lounge minutes, so what was I to do?
Get them in within 60 of course! No lounge dragons in here!!
3 pinot noir later we're on board and on our way - not before I'd fallen down the escalator, started a fight with the gate staff on account of the J boarding policy, and almost been de-boarded by a burly security guard for demanding an upgrade to the jump seat............ Eh no, actually,......... I made my way quietly and appreciatively to my seat in row 29, whereupon I was greeted by some lovely staff who offered me headsets, drinks, dinner, more drinks (declined) and generally made me feel pretty special on the one hour flight.
I haven't flown QF domestic Y for some time but was impressed today by the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff - and no sign of the RSA policy other than asking the young lad in the row behind for some ID, prior to supply.
Maybe the F manager in MEL should fly a couple of sectors in dom Y ??

 

[boomy]

What does tolerance to alcohol have to do with dependence? I don't need to drink every day. I usually don't drink Monday-Thursday but will have a drink or 3 Friday-Sunday. I am also ~120kg and standard drinks are based on someone weighing ~65kg.

I agree, it's wrong to judge someone by the amount of alcohol they consume. I know people who get drunk and act silly after 2 drinks and others who behave perfectly normal after 6 drinks.
People who look and act like they are intoxicated should be refused further service, otherwise keep the drinks coming!

 

[coco50]

Just thought I would share this.

My partner and our daughter and son in law where in the lounge, sat in the dining room on Saturday the 7th March and over a period of approximately an hour and 45 minutes we all consumed 3 drinks each. We asked for an additional drink before departing and were refused.

It was explained that they were not allowed to serve any one more than 3 drinks in 90 minutes due to RSA. Whilst I understand and respect the need for RSA I am somewhat surprised at the interpretation being applied by the staff. Indeed we could have all gone to any bar in the airport and consumed far far more than this with out any objection and not prevented from flying.

None of us were loud unruly or disrespectful, we were however all well mannered and well behaved and certainly not in any way intoxicated or showing signs of being so.



I wrote to red Roo seeking clarification on the Policy re serving of alcohol in the Melbourne First Lounge and the response from the customer care team.

In summary.

It is the policy of Qantas to adhere to RSA regulations where in there is a clause that sets a guideline to ensure that people are not under the influence and are able to drive a car.

The regulations stipulates 2 standard drinks in the first hour and then 1 standard drink per hour there after.This may be altered at the discretion of the staff. However it is Qantas Policy to adhere to RSA guidleines.

Quite frankly I find this rather poor form and using a guide that is not used anywhere else to penny pinch...................

Does this mean that if you have 2 or 3 drinks in the lounge be it domestic or International and then board an aircraft you will be refused alcohol?

So I buy an $18000.00 First Class Air Fare MEL -LHR and can only have 3 Drinks in the lounge in 2 hours. I take it that I will then be refused any alcohol on board too as a result of complying with RSA. Whats Next????

What happens in lounges where alcohol is self service? I know that many use the criterion that any more than 2 standard drinks in a sitting is considered binge drinking. What has happened to the fun in life? Time to migrate to Saudi Arabia.

 

[Spongbob]

I know someone who thought they were a moderate drinker because they buy moderately priced drinks. By this definition, I guess everyone in the F lounge is a very moderate drinker?

 

[RichardMEL]

Am currently in MEL F lounge. Service great. Very efficient. offered refill of Taittinger barely 15min in. Can't fault the staff. Was not asked forflight details..

 

[Ansett]

Am currently in MEL F lounge. Service great. Very efficient. offered refill of Taittinger barely 15min in. Can't fault the staff. Was not asked forflight details..

Perhaps the staff have been retrained LOL

 

[RooFlyer]

What happens in lounges where alcohol is self service? I know that many use the criterion that any more than 2 standard drinks in a sitting is considered binge drinking. What has happened to the fun in life? Time to migrate to Saudi Arabia.

With self-serve, there isn't "service" by the establishment, so "Responsible Service of Alcohol" doesn't apply I think. The establishment would still need to be responsible for patron's behaviour, but they are not putting the patron in 'harms way' by their too-liberal 'service'.

Don't get me started on the wowsers and moral pin-heads and their 'binge drinking' finger-pointing.

(BTW, there is a LOT of drinking going on in Saudi Arabia. You just have to know where to go .... )

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm in the MEL F Lounge now. There's more staff than passengers. I've been here since about 1845. I've not been asked which flight I'm on and normal service is in operation. Fingers crossed

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'm in the MEL F Lounge now. There's more staff than passengers. I've been here since about 1845. I've not been asked which flight I'm on and normal service is in operation. Fingers crossed

Well done!
Carefull, don't cross the glasses!

 

[amaroo]

I'm in the MEL F Lounge now. There's more staff than passengers. I've been here since about 1845. I've not been asked which flight I'm on and normal service is in operation. Fingers crossed

Your mission should be well under way

Anymore J* flights this evening? :!: :idea::idea::idea:

 

[Princess Fiona]

Your mission should be well under way

Anymore J* flights this evening? :!: :idea::idea::idea:

Nope, next flight on the board is QF9. An EK flight departed just as I arrived here. When I arrived I was the only passenger in the lounge :shock: :!:
There's about 10 people here now.

 

[love_the_life]

I'm in the MEL F Lounge now. There's more staff than passengers. I've been here since about 1845. I've not been asked which flight I'm on and normal service is in operation. Fingers crossed

Was that the year 1845? Boy you must be getting on then

 

[JessicaTam]

I agree, it's wrong to judge someone by the amount of alcohol they consume. I know people who get drunk and act silly after 2 drinks and others who behave perfectly normal after 6 drinks.
People who look and act like they are intoxicated should be refused further service, otherwise keep the drinks coming!

Which is what RSA is all about.

 

[Austman]

An EK flight departed just as I arrived here.

I was on that EK flight a few weeks ago. And the lounge was quiet then too.

Any self service of wine? Just for a data point. None when I was there.

 

[amaroo]

Nope, next flight on the board is QF9. An EK flight departed just as I arrived here. When I arrived I was the only passenger in the lounge :shock: :!:
There's about 10 people here now.

No brainer then. Next time you might need to fly J* to get the full treatment!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Was that the year 1845? Boy you must be getting on then

Actually, March 21, 1845 was a Friday so maybe Princess Fiona has been there longer than she's admitting!

but there would be some nice aged wines by now.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I was on that EK flight a few weeks ago. And the lounge was quiet then too.

Any self service of wine? Just for a data point. None when I was there.

None when I arrived but the station is set up now with bottles of wine, cakes and nibbles

 

[Austman]

None when I arrived but the station is set up now with bottles of wine, cakes and nibbles

So it seems to be available more for the QF long-haul departures? I've been told that, more-or-less, by the lounge staff. During "quiet" times it's all put away.

 

[Princess Fiona]

So it seems to be available more for the QF long-haul departures? I've been told that, more-or-less, by the lounge staff. During "quiet" times it's all put away.

Another EK flight has just left. Then it's QF9, an FJ flight, and the last one is a JQ to AKL. I take it that the lounge closes after QF9 boards.