Did anyone see Airline last night? I'm wondering why that guy wasn't allowed on the flight . . . what does it matter if he had a few drinks?

I didn't see the show, but I can assume he wasn't allowed on the plane because in general, one drink on the ground turns into about 2 in the air based on the impact of air pressure and the fact that planes aren't pressurized to ground level.

It doesn't impact everyone equally, but you occassionally hear stories of seemingly mild-mannered executives turning into raving lunatics on board a plane which is often the result of the air pressure impact from alcohol.

What does it matter that he had a few drinks? Think about that a moment. If someone is inebriated on the ground, don't you think that person might cause a problem in the air? And do you, a fellow pax, want to have to put up with a possible safety risk of a belligerent pax, one who's trying to get out the door by raising the emergency handle, or banging on the cockpit door trying to get in, (all true events) and fighting with the F/A's, possibly injuring them in the process (assuming no FAMs aboard), thus having to divert the flight from its intended destination? Or how about an inebriated pax getting on board, and just getting sick once airborne, throwing up everywhere, thereby making the flight perfectably miserable for everyone seated in the area?

For those and other reasons, it's a violation of the FARs to board any pax who appears to be inebriated-airlines have the discretion to make the call, but if it is discovered that they refused to make the call and a safety incident happens later on board, then the carrier can face enforcement action.

Reply to sallymed,

I've heard it may depend if the guy "comes from the streets" or not.

sallymed,
You're kidding, right? Did you hear about the flight from NY - Athens last week that was diverted to Shannon due to a drunk patron who was verbally & physically abusing other passengers? He's going to have 90 days in an Irish prison to think about what he did!