Question re: alcohol in carry-on

[annnewjerz]

DH is very easily freaked out by flying, so I was thinking for our upcoming trip---instead of packing toiletries in his quart-sized baggy, we would pack the little nips of alcohol so he could make himself a Jack & Coke once we get going.

1. Does anyone know if you can take alcohol through security if it's in the proper amounts? I know we have purchased alcohol at the duty-free and carried it on, but I didn't know if pre versus post security made a difference.

2. Are you even allowed to make your own drinks on the plane? I would think you could, just like you can bring your own food, but I didn't know if there were any special restrictions on alcohol.

Worst case scenario we end up having to toss the bottles at security or have DH stand there with no shoes polishing off a few ounces of whiskey.

 

[Brian Noble]

I suspect you are not allowed to consume acohol you bring with you (vs. buy there) either on the plane or in the airport. However, most every airprot has a bar near the gates, and most airlines will happily sell you another on the plane provided you are not visibly intoxicated.

 

[rwdavis2]

Most airlines do not allow you to serve your won as mentioned above. You may want to check TSA guide lines if you are even allowed to bring a non-medical flammable liquid in a carry on bag. I recommend the airport bar. BUT, if he is visibly intoxicated they may not let him on the plane.

Has he thought about going to his doctor and getting some meds?
BD

 

[lurkernj]

I had some of those small bottles packed in my quart size bag in my carry on and it wasn't an issue. I even took the bag out of my carryon and they saw it was in there. I didn't try to consume it on the plane though (saving it to help me sleep at night), I would think that might be an issue.

 

[annnewjerz]

However, most every airprot has a bar near the gates, and most airlines will happily sell you another on the plane provided you are not visibly intoxicated.

Oh boy, visibly intoxicated is faaaaar from what I'm thinking. I just wanted him to be able to maybe have a drink or two in flight (or before boarding) to take a bit of the edge off. The airport bar might just be easier.

Has he thought about going to his doctor and getting some meds?
BD

We only fly once a year or so and he doesn't have problems until we're up in the air and there is turbulence. I think since I work at with a group at a lawfirm that deals solely with plane crashes, hearing my work stories has started to get the better of him. There aren't any panic attacks or anything, I just know it gets him stressed and I'd rather he had a drink or two and slept through the flight.

I had some of those small bottles packed in my quart size bag in my carry on and it wasn't an issue. I even took the bag out of my carryon and they saw it was in there. I didn't try to consume it on the plane though (saving it to help me sleep at night), I would think that might be an issue.

Well that's good to know that if we decide to go that route, we may have a chance at bringing it along with us. He definitely would not be drinking them in the terminal waiting area, or be intoxicated, so if he decided to mix some with his Coke I'm sure it wouldn't end up being a problem. Just a little something to soothe those flying jitters.

 

[Lewisc]

You can do a search on flyertalk.

You can put the little bottles in your 1 quart baggie. This isn't a TSA issue.

Any liquor you consume on-board must be served by the FA. A few posters on FT claim they were able to convince a FA to open and pour. I'm skeptical. A SW rep said SW policy prevents such behaviour. A couple of posters saw passengers get in trouble for pouring their own drinks. You really don't want to be forced to find alternate transportation from a connecting airport to your destination or have to find alternate transportation home.

Medication from your doctor makes more sense. Purchasing a drink on board makes more sense then BYOB.

edited to add--A fellow passenger may "rat" you out. A passenger who goes the BYOB is more likely to drink enough to cause "issues" with others.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a huge issue with anyone taking anything to 'calm their jitters'. Yes, I realize that doctors prescribe meds all the time for this. But you have to be very careful. You just never know how someone is going to react in a special situation. I was on a plane with a gentleman who seemed pretty reasonable..having a few drinks. But, when we hit some turbulence, he got pretty verbally abusive to all around him. Real potty mouth. The FAs were not amused. Seems that the combination of a little alcohol and the stress of turbulence put him right over the top.
The other scenario would be in some type of emergency...you need your wits about you. If you are 'calmed down', you may not be able to efficiently follow instructions.

I am not a happy flier. I do it only because it's the easiest way between point A and point B. I hate turbulence, I'm not so crazy about take-off and landings...but it is what it is. I'm better at it than I used to be. I can now walk down that jetway without thinking this is the last time I'll ever be on the ground alive again...I kid you not.

It's up to each person to figure out what will work best for them. Just be sure you are aware of all possibilities.

 

[bavaria]

I have a huge issue with anyone taking anything to 'calm their jitters'. Yes, I realize that doctors prescribe meds all the time for this. But you have to be very careful. You just never know how someone is going to react in a special situation. I was on a plane with a gentleman who seemed pretty reasonable..having a few drinks. But, when we hit some turbulence, he got pretty verbally abusive to all around him. Real potty mouth. The FAs were not amused. Seems that the combination of a little alcohol and the stress of turbulence put him right over the top.

Ditto. I strongly advise against it, and before people get all upset and call me silly names I too have to mentally prepare myself before each and every flight I take, and I fly almost every week and well over 100,000 miles every year. One can absolutely overcome these fears and emotions, with some effort.

Alcohol can create a different reaction on board, and when combined with other emotions. I have seen passengers freak out on board, I have seen passengers denied boarding, and I have seen passengers deplaned on a fairly regular basis.

I also had a family friend die last year from taking medication prescribed by her doctor before a flight 'to calm her nerves'.

And there are countless stories of public urination and other embarassing behaviours from people taking Ambien or other medication on board an aircraft, who were negatively impacted.

There are hundreds of threads (and many websites) about overcoming fear of flying. Knowledge is power, and by educating oneself one can do a lot more than by relying on drugs or alcohol.

And no, you cannot serve yourself alcohol on board from a bottle you brought yourself, or even from duty free you purchased yourself.

I strongly advise directing your husband to a 'fear of flying' website or workship so that he can educate himself.

 

[Brian Noble]

Well, I know who *I*'m not inviting to my Drinking Around The World Tour.

 

[thruthelookinglass19]

I hate flying as well. Only fly once a year or so. . . used to have a few drinks before a flight, but last year had to have an MRI and had extra Valium left over. Took that on the flight with me. Worked miracles - would HIGHLY recommend it. I was so calm.

That reminds me - I need to call my doctor's office and follow up on a new prescription for our upcoming trip!

 

[MrsNick]

Ditto....and before people get all upset and call me silly names I too have to mentally prepare myself before each and every flight I take....

Correct. Bavaria is always prepared to smuggle contraband chocolates on board and is not above consumption of said contraband for mood alteration purposes.

 

[bavaria]

SHHHH!!!!!

I refuse to admit that at least some may contain 'adult' ingredients and are hence banned in America

The fake 'Mon Cheri' you poor people have to endure is nothing even remotely like our real stuff....

 

[Lewisc]

I have seen passengers deplaned on a fairly regular basis.

Passengers deplaned at a stop (direct flight) or passengers not allowed to board a connecting flight as a result of BYOB behavior aren't entitled to a refund or accommodations on a later flight.

Does the OP want to go BYOB to save money? Those little bottles aren't that cheap in most liquor stores. Is it worth the risk to save $4 or so per drink? Does the OP want to go BYOB so they don't have to worry about being "cut off". Not a good idea.

I see you found a thread sufficiently different to motivate a couple of posts.

 

[bavaria]

Blame it on MrsNick...

I just get a little worried by how many people here advocate drugs and alcohol instead of education and other techniques like relaxation to deal with issues.

I don't have a moral stance against it; I am more concerned because of what I see so often on a regular basis when flying in America. Imagine having to find an alternate way home, or to your holiday, because you had a drink or two in the airport bar and reacted 'badly' on a flight.

Lewis, you must recall more than a few stories on FT; my personal favourite is the passenger who urinated while in his middle seat into an air sickness bag rather non-chalantly and then handed it to the FA. And I cringe for the women who crouched in the aisle and urinated after taking Ambien.

And I won't even start on how devastated a widower is now because his wife took one pill at the start of their vacation holiday, and was dead a few hours later.

These things DO happen, they are not dramatic tales of the out of ordinary. There are more effective methods if people would just seek them out and try them; I am proof of that.

 

[duffy]

Well, I know who *I*'m not inviting to my Drinking Around The World Tour.

 

[bavaria]

Well, I know who *I*'m not inviting to my Drinking Around The World Tour.

Ask jvdm... he can tell you stories about me and my drinking habits


Besides, the 'Bavaria Chocolate Tour of World Showcase' is far superior to any drinking tour. Oh, and for final proof, please see the blue salute from the Tag Fairy <=== (I never said that, she is the one who toasted me...) Although, the learned professor might also want to take note of the green tag

 

[keishashadow]

Oh boy, visibly intoxicated is faaaaar from what I'm thinking. I just wanted him to be able to maybe have a drink or two in flight (or before boarding) to take a bit of the edge off. The airport bar might just be easier.



We only fly once a year or so and he doesn't have problems until we're up in the air and there is turbulence. I think since I work at with a group at a lawfirm that deals solely with plane crashes, hearing my work stories has started to get the better of him. There aren't any panic attacks or anything, I just know it gets him stressed and I'd rather he had a drink or two and slept through the flight.
.

or spring for a drink or 2 aboard the plane

have you considered a benadryl or 2 before boarding, sans the booze of course!

 

[Brian Noble]

Oh, and for final proof,

No pun intended, I'm sure.

I don't think many people here are advocating a pre-flight drink to calm the nerves. Rather, we're answering the OP's question---namely, no you can't BYOB---and giving her alternatives. That's what we do here in Ye Olde Transportation Board.

That said, while I don't fly as much as some here, I don't think I've ever seen anyone deplaned for intoxication, though I have seen one or two people denied boarding, and more than a few cut off in flight. At the same time, I'm guessing a healthy chunk of all the passengers on all of those planes have had a drink (or three) in the bar before boarding, and/or a drink (or three) on the plane. A few were loud and behaved boorishly, but not much beyond that.

I rather think the odds of OP's husband becoming an uncontrollable loon on the flight after having a drink in the bar are low---even if he orders a double.

 

[bavaria]

I posted in response to our esteemed moderator, who posted this earlier in the thread.

I have a huge issue with anyone taking anything to 'calm their jitters'.

I didn't realise that we were only supposed to comment on original posts, and not follow up posts, but then again I have not been around much and am not so learned about new forum rules.

Perhaps the MI flyers are better behaved, but I have posted many times here about the unruly people deplaned from my flights around America. While the OP's husband may not end up losing control of himself, it does serve as a general warning for readers that there are alternatives.

And as keishashadow points out, this really isn't so much a security question as a budget question, since the OP's husband could legally and relatively easily purchase alcohol on board.

 

[Brian Noble]

Fair enough. I happen to disagree with our moderator, I suppose.

I drink coffee in the morning to get going (and frequently throughout the day). I enjoy a celebratory glass of wine after a hard day's accomplishments at work, and sometimes partake in a self-indulgent manhattan after a particularly nasty day at same. I don't think having a drink---or maybe even two---before getting on a flight that you aren't looking forward to is necessarily the end of the world.

Then again, I'm married to a psychiatrist who prescribes things much stronger than alcohol for patients with a variety of mental illnesses, so I don't come to the table without my baises.