posted on September 2, 2001 01:58:10 AM new
I watched a show on air rage, on the TLC network today and was somewhat puzzled about this situation. It depicted the people who are most often involved here are the ones that have had too much to drink. These people often try to interfere with the duties of the flight crew and pilots, and cause danger to everyone.
It seems to me the solution to this problem would be to STOP serving booze on airlines. I would think that anyone would be able to survive a 6 or 7 hour flight without having a drink. Is alcohol really a need on an airline? What do these people do when they are at work and have to put in a 8 - 10 hour day? Any thoughts on this?
posted on September 2, 2001 04:42:04 AM new
I agree that the flight attendents need to keep an eye on how many drinks passengers have had. But most airports have restaurants that have bars so problems often begin before a passenger boards the plane.( Although obviously drunk passengers are probably refused the right to board to begin with.) Another thing that airlines are aware of is the fact that some people are afraid of flying and have a drink to calm their nerves.
posted on September 2, 2001 04:49:26 AM new
That is somewhat an understatement. Some of these people are so terrifed they can't make themselves get on the plane unless they are blind drunk. They are also not willing to go to their doctor and het a Valium or something because they would have to admit a problem and us drugs - alcohal not being a drug you see.
Of course when the airlines lock people in a plane on the runway for 7 or 8 hours and the toilets overflow and there is no food or water they tend to get passengers that are a tad cross also. I would regard it as false imprisonment as a number of people here in Detroit have and files whopping big legal actions.
posted on September 2, 2001 05:10:45 AM new
gravid, one of my husband's relatives refused to fly for twenty years - she had been a passenger on a plane that barely cleared some mountaintop in California. About three years ago, his family had a big reunion across the country and she wanted to attend. She got an anti-anxiety drug from her doctor and took it before the flight. She made the trip without any problems, but her daughter who sat next to her said that it was a white-knuckle flight for her (the daughter) because she was afraid that the drug's effect would wear off before they landed and she didn't want to deal with her terrified mother.
posted on September 2, 2001 06:14:12 AM new
saabsister...That's a switch...a kid worried about a mother's fear.
I have read a lot of unsubstantiated information about the problem of drinking on an airplane. Maybe someone here has the answers.
For example, I have read that because of a reduced amount of oxygen in flight, the effects of alcohol are increased, sometimes even doubled.
And the excuse to drink to relieve fear may have the opposite effect.
The levels of alcohol and increased sugar in the bloodstream may just intensify the anxiety that a drinker may be trying to avoid and actually cause and excited state which may result in air rage.
I understand that there is some consideration because of the increasing incidents of air rage, to make it an airline policy to screen the sobriety of passengers boarding a flight. That should be an interesting event.
No drinking should be allowed in any kind of moving vehicle...cars, buses trains or airplanes for drivers or passengers.
posted on September 2, 2001 06:53:45 AM new
Not to mention the fact that I think we all have seen that some people mellow out when they have a drink and some get mean and ugly.
posted on September 2, 2001 07:17:14 AM new
Also tranquilizers can have this effect. Although they will mellow most people out, there are some people who become mean and abusive.
posted on September 2, 2001 10:44:03 AM new
Just to be contrary, I'll take another side.
Airlines have always served liquor on flights, that hasn't changed, but you hear more about air rage now. What else has changed? The airlines treat people like dirt now.
Instead of getting a dinner and snack and a package of nuts, you're expected to know to pick up a brown paper sack from a table before you board. Last time I flew, my wiser seatmate had bought a bag of Burger King from the airport BK before boarding, and he ate that on the plane. Bah!
And, they squeeze more and more seats into a plane so you don't have any room to hardly just sit in your own seat, let alone try to stretch your legs out. It's much different from when I was young.
A few years ago, my brother, a very soft-spoken, laid back guy (when he was a teenager, most people thought he'd enter the church - unfortunately, he went the other way and became a lawyer), was on a domestic flight.. can't remember where. They loaded them onto this plane, squeezed in like sardines, and then sat there on the runway for more than an hour. Finally he asked a stewardess how much longer it would be - she assured him they'd take off in 15 minutes. Another hour went by. He asked her again, she said, again, 15 minutes. Another hour went by.
Now he had had enough. He wanted to get off the plane (my brother isn't a big drinker, he doesn't smoke cigarettes, he wasn't nervous about flying, he flies all the time, he doesn't take drugs. He just had had enough.) The stewardess told him he couldn't. He demanded to see the captain. He was refused.
Now he used his cell phone to call the police, told them he was being held against his will in this airplane Then the plane took off.
When they landed in St. Louis, or wherever it was they had to change planes, the FBI, as well as the local police, was there waiting for my brother. They were there to arrest him.
I can't remember if they actually did arrest him. The last I heard of his story, he was flying somewhere to depose the pilot (using a different airline), in preparation of bringing suit against the airline.
How many other people like my brother end up in the air rage statistics? I have to wonder.
posted on September 2, 2001 11:02:03 AM new
Air rage is just like road rage and there's no drinking involved there (at least there's not supposed to be).
People get angry, for all sorts of different reasons, and take their anger out on those who are in close proximity. Seems, sometimes, that everybody's angry.
Some people don't seem to be able to handle difficult situations in a more civil and calm manner. It's all self control, IMO.
posted on September 2, 2001 11:14:30 AM new
Another problem with packing so many onto planes and one the airlines do not want brought up is that the oxygen on planes becomes very depleted on flights, even short flights that are packed.
The air is recirculated not fresh. Adding fresh air in flight creates drag and costs money. The CO2 level also rises dramatically.
I have flown on planes with few people on it and packed shoulder to shoulder on a wide body. The oxygen deprivation makes a difference on one's personality and enhances the effects of alcohol.
These "panic" attacks may have more to do with oxygen deprivation than alcohol.
The Air Force tests flight personel in depressurization tanks for panic as the oxygen level lowers. The effects vary widely. Violence is one of the effects.
posted on September 2, 2001 11:14:49 AM new
I've been afraid to fly for a number of years, and almost always take something or drink something to calm me down when I fly. I haven't hit anyone yet - probably my worst offense is snoring in public.
The last time I flew (more than six years ago), I was pretty disgusted at the way the airlines treated people. So, unless it's the only way to get somewhere, I'll drive.
This country is so much more interesting by car! The small towns, the roadside attractions (has anyone ever seen "The Thing" in AZ?), the little diners, and some of the theme motels are truly a hoot (I recommend the WigWam Motel). The airlines can't give you that - all they give you is bad air, cramped seating, and tons of attitude.
I believe that adults should behave in public. I also believe that the airlines are not blameless in Air Rage. They've become nothing better than flying busses - in fact, last time I was on a Greyhound, there was more leg room than on a plane.
If possible, I encourage you to drive to your next vacation (this is tough over water, I know). It's really a great way to go.
posted on September 2, 2001 12:40:49 PM new
I believe airplanes are pressured to a level of 10,000 ft. I think the alcohol does have an increased effect. I don't know that they'd have less or more air rage prohibiting alcohol. Flying was not a particularly nice part of my job, it was hard not to get claustrophobic at time. No prison would be allowed to be as confining as some of these commercial flights. I've been ready to shove people out of the way to get off once a plane lands, it seems like it takes forever to get to the gate.
My flying is very limited now, I made the mistake of flying with an ear infection once, I knew better but I had been away from home for 6 weeks. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain when the plane descended. I suffer from vertigo frequently now, at least one episode every 2 months and I blame my poor judgement on that.
Leave the alcohol on the planes, it probably prevents more rage than it causes.
posted on September 2, 2001 11:07:19 PM new
Many years ago, when I was pregnant with the younger kitten, I got stuck on a plane that was experiencing "technical difficulties". The passengers were all crammed into place and we were expected to quietly sit there for however long it took to repair the difficulty. To add to the fun, about a half hour into the wait, the smokers were allowed to light up. Oh, and we weren't given anything to drink(alcoholic/non-alcoholic), either.
Well, smells and heat tended to make me sick. After two hours of trying to entertain the elder kitten, breathing the smoke-laden air, and sweating like a pig, I was ready to hurl.
I went to the flight attendant and asked for a glass of water so I could share with the kitten. She told me no, and to return to my seat. I asked if drinks were going to be distributed. She said no, and told me to return to my seat. As she brusquely dismissed my questions she was also flipping the pages of a magazine.
I got radical. I told her if I had to sit in the smelly, hot air with a thirsty kitten for one more minute I was going to heave all over the floor, starting with her shoes.
She finally looked at me and I guess she realized I meant business because I got my water. A few minutes later, the air came on and it was announced the drink carts would be around.
posted on September 3, 2001 04:29:29 AM new
donny - Your brother went through the correct procedure instead of taking matters into his own hands. I predict that if they had arrested him for asking for assistance he would have added them to the list to sue.
The presumption seems to be that the airline is above being questioned.
If push came to shove you could get off a plane. I had a friend 6 foot 4 inches 340 lbs. When he was sleeping in the back of a trailer the oil furnace exploded and the whole front of the trailer was a ball of flame. He went over to the wall drove his hand straight through the wall in one strike and pulled the edge down until he could get
both hands in the hole and just peeled it open. When it was a couple foot deep he kicked below it to keep it splitting and walked out.
When the fire men got there they could not believe the side of the trailer burst open like a small car had driven through it with insulation and wires hanging out. He had a few small cuts on his hands.
Planes are built about as sturdy.
He had had practice. In High School some friends pushed him in the trunk of their car and slammed it shut to play a prank. When they stopped at the first traffic light he
put both feet against the trunk lid and curled it back until he could get a shoulder under it and heave. The lid was folded over and hanging over the side on one hinge when he got out and walked away.
He was not the sort you want to arm wrestle.
Then the plane took off.