Can you fly when drunk?
Having a few alcoholic drinks and flying can be a great way to relax and pass the time, particularly on a long haul flight “apparently”. I’m Ian, and I’m going to take you through the do’s and dont’s of flying and being intoxicated. I think you will be surprised what alcohol does to you while flying and how it causes issues for the air-stewards.
If your traveling on a long haul flight and think getting drunk is a good idea, then guess again. A lot of flight attendants have been trained how to spot drunken people while on a flight. They look for many signs such as one too many bathroom visits or if your loud and obnoxious. If you are drunk and causing issues, the plane can land to evict you. It is illegal on most planes to fly when drunk so bear that in mind, and you can be fined £2500.
A traffic light system categorizes the stages in acceptable drunken behavior green, amber, and red. If you find your self green, your ok, amber you monitored and even offered water. If you are on red, then your cut of!
Being drunk is becoming more severe, with health safety being more strict. I would suggest that if your plane happens to be canceled, you will need your wits about you to listen and re-organize yourself. Also, if there is an emergency, what help could you be while your drunk? Your potentially putting people’s lives at risk if there is in a chaotic situation. So I always advise staying within your limits.
Below I have written a guide on how to fly safe with alcohol and tips for recovery. Please read below for more details
Keep your self hydrated
If you’re planning on having a few drinks, then always consider having water with every alcoholic beverage. It is more straightforward to become dehydrated in an airtight cabin due to the recycled air, which drys out your nose and mouth. Also, the amount of germs in the air and drinking alcohol affects your immune system, which can only make you potentially sick when you arrive at your destination.
I remember flying once to LA from New Zealand, and when I boarded the flight, I was in good shape. When I landed, I had flu and three days in bed, now there is no way to prove I sick from the flight, but it could have been? It’s always good to look after your Health and not go overboard and getting sloshed and feel like crap when you arrive.
Before you board your flight, buy a big bottle of water and sip it while you are waiting to board. This will keep you nice and hydrated and balance out the alcohol to the H20 ratio, keeping you fresh and ready. Also, if you do this, you won’t be affected for days after with jet lag!
Plan Ahead And Eat Something
Take advantage of the free snacks and sweets on the plane. It is better to have something in your stomach to balance the food/alcohol ratio.On the way to the airport, have a substantial meal with plenty of water.
Keep Away From Fizzy Alcoholic Beverages
If your thinking of having a few drinks, then try not to drink-fizzy alcoholic beverages. Carbonated beverages will get you drunk faster. I know it’s a bit of a tradition to get in the sky and have a glass of champagne or prosecco, but it only leads to getting dehydrated quicker.
You must also understand that mixing your drinks with coke or mixing alcohol, in general, will get you drunk faster as well as bloated. Getting bloated on flights can be an uncomfortable experience due to low and high pressure affecting your stomach, especially long haul flights.
It is always an idea to take Rennies as preparation and try beforehand not to drink carbonated soft drinks as this will add to possible discomfort.
Keep Away From Fizzy Alcoholic Beverages
If your thinking of having a few drinks, then try not to drink-fizzy alcoholic beverages. Carbonated beverages will get you drunk faster. I know it’s a bit of a tradition to get in the sky and have a glass of champagne or prosecco, but it only leads to getting dehydrated quicker.
You must also understand that mixing your drinks with coke or mixing alcohol, in general, will get you drunk faster as well as bloated. Getting bloated on flights can be an uncomfortable experience due to low and high pressure affecting your stomach even more, especially long haul flights.
It is always an idea to take Rennies as preparation and try beforehand not to drink carbonated soft drinks as this will add to possible discomfort.
Drink Pure Tom Juice
Not usually the first drink you think of drinking while flying but tomato juice and revitalize your taste buds and make your food and drink taste better. In some regions of the world, such as Germany, their passengers seemed to consume a lot of tomato juice. This was down to knowledge, and knowing tomato juice stops your food from tasting bland.
When you are flying, the pressure changes, which affects your taste especially sweet and salty things. So with knowing this, airlines have changed their menus to enhance the taste of food.
Why not try a Bloody Mary? That way, you will be getting some health benefits and your food will taste great.
Alcohol Affects Your Sleeping
Passengers sometimes think if it’s a long haul flight, I better knock myself out and have a few double vodkas and coke. But guess again!
Typically to get a good night’s sleep with need about 6-7 episodes of REM. But if your drunk, then you can expect only 1 or 2 episodes. This will leave you exhausted and not at your best f you need to be active when you land.
Consider that every action you have in life has consequences, and sometimes it is just not worth it.
What Alcohol Does To You
If you’ve never studied what alcohol does to your body, then I think you will be surprised. Alcohol flows through the bloodstream until it reaches your brain! Usually, the peak state of full alcohol effect is 30mins after consumption.
When alcohol reaches your brain, it will start to affect your nerves and messaging system making it harder to react and move properly. Also, because alcohol can’t be metabolized, your liver tries to flush it out with water making you dehydration.
When you add this with pressure germ cabin and lower oxygen, it is not healthy to drink and fly.
Potential Flight Connecting Issues
If you think your boarding your connecting flight drunk you may have issues. The inflight stewards are trained in dealing with intoxicated people and will decide how to deal with you. If they think it crosses health and safety rules, you will be not getting on that flight.
That leaves you with another possible flight bill plus a night in a hotel, which can be expensive.
It’s illegal to fly when drunk, so they have the power to stop you if they choose. Please consider this.
Motion Sickness And Turbulence
Of course, we all know about motion sickness too well. I use to get it bad growing up driving in long distant journeys, but I still get it now when I’ve had a drink! I end up getting hot and uncomfortable.
Turbulence can hold up toilet breaks and can last for over an hour sometimes? Drinking makes you need the toilet so try not to get wasted.
Again try a predict how a flight will go and plan toilet breaks. I’ve been in Turbulence for hours before, and it is not comfortable experience.
Baggage claims
It would be best if you had some awareness when you land at your destination. Baggage claims are essential, and you don’t want to pick the wrong bag up, leaving someone without their luggage. Its always good to put some tape on your baggage and be patient as it does take time.
If your drunk, you not entirely at the races. It is easier to make mistakes, so be careful.
Car Rental Issues
To drive a car legally, you must be sober! Car rental companies, even if they have the slight hint you’ve had a drink or look hungover,won’t rent you the car.
You can imagine car rental companies don’t want negative press, and chancing giving you the keys and causing a severe accident is not wise
Over 3,000 people are killed in the UK every year on the roads, not including serious injuries.
Early Morning Airport Drinks
Most airports in the western world will have a beer lounge or restaurant that serves breakfast early. You will see many people having a few drinks before there flight, which can add up if they decide to drink afterward.
I advise you to have a tea, if your drinking alcohol it will make you sluggish!
Peer Pressure From Friends
I think we’ve all been in that situation where we have certain friends who cus their drinking you have to as well!
I’ve put together a list of excuses to get you out of this situation
- My liver needs the day of
- I have an early start in the morning
- I’m the desi driver
- I’m doing a new diet plan
Its essential to look after number 1, and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to!
Make Sure Your Dressed Appropriately
If your drunk try not to take your top of! It can get you evicted from the plane.
You fly with diverse customers and everyones needs have to be taken into consideration. Please act normal guys!
What To Do in An Emergency
This wear you need to be on point! Your putting people’s lives at risk being too drunk. It is good to be drunk and a hindrance, especially with older adults and kids on board. You need to listen to the safety instructions and be semi competent.
The Air Stewards are trained to identify potential safety issues, and if they feel you are a problem, you may have one to one training.
How Much Are The Fines?
In 2018 a disruptive passenger on a Ryan-Air flight was fined £2,500 for being drunken disorderly on a Flight to Tenerife.
In severe cases, you can face up two years in prison, which would also give you a criminal record
Again airlines are taking drunken passengers more seriously than ever. Don’t be take a chance acting like a fool and getting finned or worse.
Source courtesy of the Express-News Paper
Summary
It is your responsibility to behave in life In general, but you must be socially aware of other people and the potential dangers of traveling.
With Health and safety being a priority now, the airlines won’t take chances with drunk passengers.
Please be aware, guys
Thanks for the read guys!
Ian
