Throw the book at them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35681147

"They were later released, but could face fines of up to €25,000 (£20,000) and a possible civil damages suit."

There's nothing worse than obnoxious drunks on aircraft! I'm glad the troublemakers were arrested but I'm concerned that they were allowed to board in the first place. According to an article on the MailOnline they were also bad in the departure lounge.

In December, I flew TFS-MAN on FR with an abusive drunk in the row behind that swore at cabin crew and was caught smoking in the toilets by them. I was expecting him to be arrested or at least cautioned by police but nothing happened, I made a complaint to FR but they haven't bothered to respond.

Quoting eurowings (Reply 1): I flew TFS-MAN on FR with an abusive drunk

A daily FR occurance I'm sure!! 

Ryanair needs to institute breathalyzers at all their stations. 0.08 BAC and you cannot board.

Once I was there when a diverted FR aircraft taxied in and police was waiting. A Russiasn guy in his late teens got caught smoking in the lavatory. But whatever the police could do to him was nothing against the wrath of his girlfriend, who was giving him a serious bollocking in Russian, probably about him ruining their vacations with his stupidity. The arresting cop alomst looked as if he pitied the youngster.  

Or, again two Russians, both in their 50s, with one so drunk that a steward had to help him stagger down the stairs, and his mate giving out to him in Russian. I don't speak Russian, but I know a few swear words, which I recognised there!  

Jan

Aren't people usually not allowed to board if they aren't sober enough?

I can't imagine they got drunk on the plane, if then thats on FR.

Quoting thekorean (Reply 5): I can't imagine they got drunk on the plane, if then thats on FR.

They must have been drunk before the flight, how much so? I don't know.

If they were too drunk to fly and FR boarded them, who's fault is this?

I'd imagine the passengers, but doesn't FR have responsibility not to board passengers whom are intoxicated?

I think this behaviour is terrible and living in Dublin I experience it quite often when flying at the weekend. That said, if the airline boarded drunk passengers and had to divert, is it Ryanair's fault for permitting them to fly in the first place?

Quoting Cipango (Reply 6):

This is the kind of customers low fares will attract.

Still think more people being able to fly is great, but gotta take bad with the good.

Before clicking, I knew it was from or to the UK... I just was curious about the destination  

As for the Ryanair bashing... I can't see why it would be different in any other carrier; it is about the "culture" of that country rather than the carrier. I remember a few years ago a LTN-AMS with easyJet and it was a real pain with those "stag partiers"... thanks God this is a such a short flight.

Quoting SCQ83 (Reply 8): Before clicking, I knew it was from or to the UK... I just was curious about the destination   As for the Ryanair bashing... I can't see why it would be different in any other carrier; it is about the "culture" of that country rather than the carrier. I remember a few years ago a LTN-AMS with easyJet and it was a real pain with those "stag partiers"... thanks God this is a such a short flight.

Yes, the UK has a visible minority that behaves appallingly when drunk, and they seem to travel in "packs" on stag/hen parties. You can usually avoid these people on the ground by going to the right pubs/bars/clubs.   Not saying other nationalities are free of this behaviour, but the whole stag party behaving badly thing is very British.
.
It's definitely not FR specific. However, we used to have a "docusoap" in the UK called Airline which featured life at easyJet (BY/TOM originally) - I cannot tell you how many times it involved drunk people getting refused boarding and the aftermath. It's all down to having well trained ground agents, and EZY seem to harass people much more at the gate nowadays than FR.

[Edited 2016-02-28 10:31:12]

The problem is airport bars not moderating consumption, and gate agents that can't be bothered with the hassle of denying boarding. Then again, you don't know if they've bought a litre of spirit from the duty free shops that the airports thrust in our faces as we come through from security, and consumed it before boarding, or even once they've got onboard. The aftermath becomes the crews problem.

I'll be the first to admit, I always have a good few drinks when flying, I enjoy it, it helps pass the time and I sit with my earphones in minding my own business, it would never cross my mind to give anybody a hard time.

Most definitely not a problem limited to Ryanair, but the media know what gets peoples attention, so you're more likely to see it reported than perhaps other airlines.

Quoting SCQ83 (Reply 8): As for the Ryanair bashing... I can't see why it would be different in any other carrier; it is about the "culture" of that country rather than the carrier.

Certainly. I have experienced a party of Norwegians on TG from CPH getting so drunk that they started to sing the sad songs of their homeland. A man from Sweden being so drunk that he was falling asleep right across my seat (on EK) just to mention a few. It is not only Russians who have a problem with drink and flying. Norwegians and Swedes (in particular) can also have major problems in this area.

Quoting kdhurst380 (Reply 10): Most definitely not a problem limited to Ryanair, but the media know what gets peoples attention, so you're more likely to see it reported than perhaps other airlines.

It is also a question of numbers and probability, just remember that Ryanair is Europe's favourite airline  

Quoting kdhurst380 (Reply 10): Most definitely not a problem limited to Ryanair, but the media know what gets peoples attention, so you're more likely to see it reported than perhaps other airlines.

I've seen media reports from all the airlines (I remember two separate incidents of tasers being used to subdue EZY passengers being reported last year), plus Ryanair doesn't attract as much vitriol since they decided to be more friendly to their customers.

[Edited 2016-02-28 13:56:15]

Quoting Cipango (Reply 6): If they were too drunk to fly and FR boarded them, who's fault is this? I'd imagine the passengers, but doesn't FR have responsibility not to board passengers whom are intoxicated?

In the US if they are to drunk to board the airline can be held liable for fines as well. Thats why we see less of this crap across the pond.

Lets also be honest and face up to the facts, airlines/ their employees are clearly flouting regulations and regularly let drunks on board flights, with cabin crew in full knowledge some of the boarding passengers are in a bad way - alcohol wise... They just want to avoid confrontation and hope those passengers will fall asleep, which in many cases they do.

Im not going to name the airline, but I flew a flight Egypt to London a few years back where we had a five hour delay, and a group of passsengers took this time to drink their duty free and were at the bar most the time. When the flight came to boarding they were being rude and obnoxious to other passengers and nearly fighting with each other.

They nearly fell up the steps as they staggered to board the aircraft.

Cabin Crew were warned by the ground handling agency, and they were still allowed to board. However when they boarded they tried to argue with the same passengers as they walked up the aisle. All the crew did was give them a polite telling off and they would not be served alcohol.

The crew seemed more interested in getting back to London quickly, because of the existing delay... I wouldn't call it a rebellion, but before the doors were closed, a number of passengers then went to the front of the aircraft and explained they were not willing to fly because of these drunks. It wasn't until about 25 people said the same, the crew took any notice and these drunks were then actually escorted off the aircraft.

When the pilot came over the tannoy, he wasn't at all apologetic about the further delay and almost rude... Coming across that us as passengers had ourselves to blame, because of the additional wait, as they were having trouble trying to locate the luggage from these passengers, "We had requested to be removed from the flight...", and how we would have been in the air and on our way if it was not because of this.

--------------------------------------------

Another time I was on a flight from Barcelona to London, which is a popular stag/hen weekend route. There was a group of rowdy drunks, and Mr Lucky here was sit next to them (not across the aisle), but right with them. I try to politely smile and they are calling me miserable for not joining in with their games/banter, etc...

During the flight one of them jumps up from the seat and barges by me and then vomits in the aisle. Fortunately it misses me, but I ask the crew to move me, as this group congratulates the guy who cunders everywhere. To be told no, as all the four rows of empty seats cannot be used as it will mess up the balance of the aircraft?!

I stand and walk around the aisle for a while, to be told I have to return to my seat as I am getting in the way of service and is a security risk. That was one 2.5 hours of a nightmare flight I never want to repeat!

Quoting abba (Reply 11): It is not only Russians who have a problem with drink and flying. Norwegians and Swedes (in particular) can also have major problems in this area.

And Danes... I've had quite a few "skidefulle" Danes onboard over the years, and they can be quite rude too. So there  

Where I work we are quite strict with passengers already drunk when boarding and we deny boarding to quite a few every month - most accept it but sometimes we end up having police removing them, it can be quite a show.

Quoting gilesdavies (Reply 15): To be told no, as all the four rows of empty seats cannot be used as it will mess up the balance of the aircraft?!

Now, that's bad service from them. During take-off one must be strict with weight/balance but when at cruise some moving around is safe.

This kind of group behavior seems to affect some nationalities (Britain and Scandinavia, especially) more than others. A couple of years ago, I was at KEF waiting for my FI flight to BCN, and at the gate there was this group of male Icelandic youngsters wearing all the same t-shirts and absolutely drunk. They were unbelievably loud and obnoxious, drinking one beer after another. I was starting to fear for my upcoming 4-hour flight to BCN, but then boarding for ALC was called and they all left. I wonder if that flight made the news.

Quoting thekorean (Reply 7): This is the kind of customers low fares will attract. Still think more people being able to fly is great, but gotta take bad with the good.

Thanks for holding your nose so those of us less-well-to-do can continue to fly.

-Dave

It doesn't only happen in Europe. Following are a few entries in the Transport Canada daily occurrence reports, all since January. WestJet seems to have more than their share, or perhaps they're more diligent in reporting them. These types of reports involving AC flights are quite rare.

A WestJet Boeing 737-8CT (C-FAWJ) from Palm Springs, CA (KPSP) to Vancouver, BC (CYVR) reported a passenger-related incident. Two passengers were intoxicated and were allowed to board the flight, were later refused alcohol service and became belligerent and verbally abusive towards flight crew and surrounding passengers. Police were contacted to meet the flight upon arrival.

A WestJet Boeing 737-8CT (C-FRWA/WJA1791) from Las Vegas, NV (KLAS) to Vancouver, BC (CYVR) reported a disruptive-passenger incident. The Captain, while on descent, requested that police meet the flight upon arrival into CYVR. A passenger became unruly after the crew stopped serving alcohol and became verbally abusive and started taking pictures of the crew. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) boarded the aircraft on arrival, escorted the passenger off and out of the airport.

A WestJet Boeing 737-8CT (C-GVWA/WJA665) from Toronto, ON (CYYZ) to Calgary, AB (CYYC) reported a disruptive-passenger incident. Shortly after boarding, a passenger was noticed to be intoxicated and was asked by the flight attendants to offload. The passenger then became verbally abusive to both the flight crew and the gate agent. Police were called and came to the aircraft. The passenger was escorted away by police.

A WestJet Boeing 737-8CT (C-FDMB/WJA2661) from Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) to Toronto, ON (CYYZ) reported a passenger-related incident. The crew reported that a passenger was behaving erratically on the flight. The passenger was moving around the aircraft taking other passengers' seats, banging on the tray tables, and not responding to the Flight Attendants questions and spending lengthy amounts of time in the lavatories. Police were called to meet the aircraft on arrival. After assessment they determined the passenger was intoxicated, mixing prescription drugs and alcohol.

A WestJet Encore DHC-8-402 (C-FQWE) reported a disruptive passenger incident. A passenger onboard was intoxicated and verbally abusing the flight crew. Police were requested to meet the flight upon arrival into Regina, SK (CYQR).

A WestJet Boeing 737-7CT (C-FWSX/WJA255) from Edmonton, AB (CYEG) to Fort McMurray, AB (CYMM) reported a disruptive passenger incident. The Captain requested the Customer Service Agent (CSA) to remove an intoxicated passenger from the flight. The Duty coordinator called the police to meet the passenger on the bridge.

A WestJet Boeing 737-8CT (C-FRWA/WJA1791) from Las Vegas, NV (KLAS) to Vancouver, BC (CYVR) reported a disruptive-passenger incident. The Captain on WJA1791, while on descent, requested that police meet the flight upon arrival into CYVR. A passenger became unruly after the crew stopped serving alcohol and became verbally abusive and started taking pictures of the crew. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) boarded the aircraft on arrival, escorted the passenger off and out of the airport.

Quoting thekorean (Reply 7): This is the kind of customers low fares will attract. Still think more people being able to fly is great, but gotta take bad with the good.

I'm sorry but are you suggesting people who wouldn't have been able to fly had it not been for LCCs are more likely to behave in this manner?

I'm sure incidents of disruptive passengers used to occur before Ryanair's prominence and still occur in premium cabins to full service carriers.

Its not very astute to associate this sort of behaviour with any economic group.

Quoting sandycx (Reply 20): I'm sorry but are you suggesting people who wouldn't have been able to fly had it not been for LCCs are more likely to behave in this manner?

Yes, he is.

Quoting sandycx (Reply 20): I'm sure incidents of disruptive passengers used to occur before Ryanair's prominence and still occur in premium cabins to full service carriers.

Gerard Depardieu certainly isn't on a low income. Nor is the business man who punched a flight attendant than did his business on the drink cart. Etc etc etc There are plenty of trouble makers in all wage brackets.

-Dave

What I am concerned with most is if there was an emergency with drunk/high passengers on FR or any other airline or flight.

FR seems to have a higher number of such incidents by drunk pax or groups of them as serve from places with high alcohol beverage prices to those with cheap prices with the return trips with a higher chance of drunks. While FR has an excellent safety records with no fatalities or serious injuries from an emergency landing, like from a landing gear problem, fire or smoke condition where evacuation was needed, persons who are drunk could die or get seriously injured or cause it to 'sober' others in an emergency. It could also help reduce liability I do hope in this case, the law is firmly enforced, they have to pay civil damages for the diversion costs, to set an example that such behavior will not be tolerated.

In an ideal situation, as others and I have suggested in the past and in this thread, persons who appear to be intoxicated driving should be subject to a handheld alcohol breath screening tester, as sometimes used by police, at the gate and pax blowing a number if well above the level of safe driving are denied boarding.

Low cost airlines have accommodated low life customers, making overseas stag parties affordable. This is one of the reasons I will not use LCC. In the UK Ryanair and Sleazeyjet have air travel affordable to even benefit claimants

I'm forever reminded of the bloke, on a SEL-SYD flight many, many years ago, who thought it would be a good idea to empty a bottle of alcohol and pop some pills. While it wasn't deemed necessary to do a safety landing (one of the male FA's managed a rugby tackle on him across a row of seats), it did mean he was placed in the rear gally for the rest of the flight, which was just my luck, as I was seated in the very last row and he spent the entire time moaning and wailing...  

Well flights like England/Germany/Scandinavia-Bratislava are a bit infamous as there is this kind of drinking/partying tourism to Bratislava.

Certainly you will also have different people on a flight DUS/CGN/DTM-PMI than, lets say, MUC-GOA.

I recall many years ago there was a survey here that for US flight attendants, flights to LAS were the most unpopular flights, by far. Its all about the destination, I guess.

However, it can also happen in trains. I took Hamburg-Essen last week and it was full of Mönchengladbach Football fans going home drunk after the game HSV-Mönchengladbach.

I was never so annoyed in a long distance train before.

Quoting MD11Engineer (Reply 4): with one so drunk that a steward had to help him stagger down the stairs, and his mate giving out to him in Russian. I don't

I remember that Picture. Boris Yeltzin looked quite happy, the rest of the guys rather not....  

Now, punishing millions of travellers every day for byuig a drink at the bar or enjoying a wine in the frequent traveller loiunge because some louds cannot behave is way over. Most of the People having more than .08 in their blood remain calm and just mind their Business or snore off. A loiud does not need a drink to forget manners he never learned in first place .An Airline is a Service Business, an Airline is not the Police.

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 25): However, it can also happen in trains. I took Hamburg-Essen last week and it was full of Mönchengladbach Football fans going home drunk after the game HSV-Mönchengladbach. I was never so annoyed in a long distance train before.

I'm surprised the DB haven't adopted the scheme run by DSB, where football fans are given their own unit/carriage, staffed with specially trained staff (and where practical, staffed by the same staff every time) where they can let loose with the drinking and singing without bothering ordinary travellers.

Up here it ended up saving DSB so much money that otherwise went to repairs, emergency stops and even staff sick days, they could afford to hand out generous discounts to those taking the 'football train' as it was called.

Quoting CPH-R (Reply 27): I'm surprised the DB haven't adopted the scheme run by DSB, where football fans are given their own unit/carriage, staffed with specially trained staff (and where practical, staffed by the same staff every time) where they can let loose with the drinking and singing without bothering ordinary travellers.

They have, but of course not everyone is travelling on those Trains. Also, Germany has usually a much larger crowd (unlike some Superliga games where you sometimes only have a few thousand spectators, you usually have 40-50.000 in Germany), which is also not only concentrated in the cities - Mönchengladbach has fans not only in Mönchengladbach, for example.

But usually in Germany there is a strict distinction between regional Trains and Long distance Trains (Fernverkehr), where the latter is expensive and usually has not so many Football fans inside. So, in Long distance Trains you usually have a Chance to be spared from those People, but in that case, the Long distance Train was the only way to get home in time, so it, unfortunately, was crowded by those People. Additionally, since there are now Long-distance busses, there are more cheap tickets available for the Trains.

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 28):

Thanks for the explanation, and you're right, the crowd sizes are much bigger south of the border, I forgot about that. We usually get maybe 1-200 fans on the football train, with the rest going by bus, which tends to be just as fast as the train anyway since there's little to no waiting around after the game, or by car.

Edit: Of course, that is all set to change next season, if the league bosses gets their way...

[Edited 2016-02-29 03:30:07]

Quoting MD11Engineer (Reply 4): the wrath of his girlfriend

The linked article said "The groom was among those detained, officers say" so that should make for an interesting discussion.

Quoting gilesdavies (Reply 15): Lets also be honest and face up to the facts, airlines/ their employees are clearly flouting regulations and regularly let drunks on board flights, with cabin crew in full knowledge some of the boarding passengers are in a bad way - alcohol wise... They just want to avoid confrontation and hope those passengers will fall asleep, which in many cases they do.

Apparently so.

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 25): Well flights like England/Germany/Scandinavia-Bratislava are a bit infamous as there is this kind of drinking/partying tourism to Bratislava.

I just googled 'Bratislava stag' and apparently it is 'a thing'. Lots of firms ready to set up trips filled with strippers and booze.

[Edited 2016-02-29 04:33:22]

Overlooking somrthing important The Stag/Hen/Spring Break/Booze-Cruise/etc. SEGMENT is actually quite an important one on certain routes or Ryanair.

I am sure that, whilst they will maintain safety, they will not do anything to appear unfriendly to that particular segment and will minimise any punishment which could end up ni the press....

Quoting jsfr (Reply 31): Overlooking somrthing important The Stag/Hen/Spring Break/Booze-Cruise/etc. SEGMENT is actually quite an important one on certain routes or Ryanair. I am sure that, whilst they will maintain safety, they will not do anything to appear unfriendly to that particular segment and will minimise any punishment which could end up ni the press....

Good point being made by yourself and others: the airlines have an interest in tolerating this kind of behavior up to a point, as do the airports (bars and duty-free shops pay rents).

Note how the article ends with:

Quote: "This is now a matter for local police," the [Ryanair] spokesman added.

Washing their hands of it, it seems.

[Edited 2016-02-29 04:38:46]

Quoting CPH-R (Reply 29): We usually get maybe 1-200 fans on the football train, with the rest going by bus, which tends to be just as fast as the train anyway since there's little to no waiting around after the game, or by car.

Actually I once took a Football Train for VIborg FF at the pokalfinalen to Copenhagen in 1999 or 2000, where Viborg actually won the game. I remember those old vintage railway cars which only recently were retired. Those were the days.

Quoting Revelation (Reply 30): I just googled 'Bratislava stag' and apparently it is 'a thing'. Lots of firms ready to set up trips filled with strippers and booze.

Yup. Which is quite unfortunate because Bratislava is actually a very cool, interesting City and certainly worth a visit.

Quoting bendewire (Reply 23): Low cost airlines have accommodated low life customers, making overseas stag parties affordable. This is one of the reasons I will not use LCC. In the UK Ryanair and Sleazeyjet have air travel affordable to even benefit claimants

Please tell me your comments are a joke? If not, I'd highly suggest some therapy.... to get over yourself. What a condescending and prehistoric attitude to your fellow homosapiens.

Quoting FCAFLYBOY (Reply 34):

Unfortunately I doubt he's alone with those thoughts on this website.

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 33): Yup. Which is quite unfortunate because Bratislava is actually a very cool, interesting City and certainly worth a visit.

I first visited in the days when FR referred to it as Vienna (Bratislava) an it is indeed quite an interesting city, but also located within an easy train/bus ride from Vienna. I'm glad FR has opened up places like this.

Quoting bendewire (Reply 23): Low cost airlines have accommodated low life customers, making overseas stag parties affordable. This is one of the reasons I will not use LCC. In the UK Ryanair and Sleazeyjet have air travel affordable to even benefit claimants

Incidents like these do happen on all sorts of airlines. From last month's Telegraph covering a BA flight LHR to DXB:

"Natalie said the drama broke out about two hours into the flight when the man, who appeared to be drunk, had to be calmed down by cabin crew. A few hours later, he began running up and down the aisles. Cabin crew moved him to a new seat in an attempt to calm him down, but he began hurling abuse at them, calling them racist and fat."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...g-flight-from-London-to-Dubai.html

Quoting CX Flyboy (Reply 2):

Flown Ryanair 60 times and have yet to come across drunks. Don't generalise about an airline that you don't fly.

Quoting bendewire (Reply 23):

We don't have a choice in the UK. What are you talking about? British Airways is pretty much the only legacy, middle class type carrier that we have and British Airways only flys to Heathrow.

Quoting Revelation (Reply 30):

Is it? I don't know anyone that goes to Bratislavia, more Spain or Crete.

Quoting Frostyj (Reply 39): Is it? I don't know anyone that goes to Bratislavia, more Spain or Cre

While I have not met any People in Bratislava, I met a lot of English People in Budapest in a hostel who were doing a partying Weekend there. They behaved well and just had a lot of fun.

Imho, partying in Groups and travelling abroad for a weekend is something very british to me. And honestly, I do not think that is bad at all, I actually like that attitude, it just depends on how you behave. It is very well possible to have a great time abroad and not annoy everyone around, and most People from Britain seem to do exactly that.

Germans travelling to "Malle-Ballermann" (PMI) are not any better, btw.

OK, hold on here; I guess I'm a bit perplexed....................correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds from this thread that the airlines and staff in Europe don't ( can't? ) proactively deny boarding to intoxicated nitwits? That they look the other way and hope for the best? I mean, that's the sense I'm getting with this whole thread. If so, then wow.....I'm very surprised. It's one thing if you get served too much, that's on the flight crew. But being allowed to board like that?

That's a BIG difference from the way US carriers handle these things. If I see someone in the boarding area, or am checking them in and they are impaired, and I don't take action, I'm the one that's in big trouble. Makes no difference if you're a happy inoffensive drunk, an indifferent one, or a nasty obnoxious idiot. You don't fly, period. Until you sober up, that is. And federal law backs that up, CFR 121. We had one not too long ago that was in a wheelchair, even, which made things more delicate. But the pax got wasted by secretly drinking up his/her duty free on an inbound flight. I received this person on the connecting flight afterward. Wheelchair or not, I denied boarding, called the supervisor as CRO backup; took him all of 2mins observing to agree with me. The pax went from pleading, tearful, and whining to suddenly full of four letter words and screaming. Not something you want on board an airplane. Told to get some coffee, sober up, rebooked for later flight.

Quoting slvrblt (Reply 41): the airlines and staff in Europe don't ( can't? ) proactively deny boarding to intoxicated nitwits

They can and they do. Events like this are very very rare.

I would, however, agree that agents in Europe are sometimes a bit more flexible with the regards to procedures.

Quoting ltbewr (Reply 22):

Maybe FR, DY, U2, etc. should start charging more for tix so their pax have less to spend on booze.   

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 40): partying in Groups and travelling abroad for a weekend is something very british to me

It's not that uncommon for groups here in the US to travel long distances for stags and for college spring break parties. Also reunions of various sorts: college, family, sporting teams, etc. Las Vegas is pretty popular for stags. Anywhere in the South that has a good beach is popular for spring break.

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 40): I do not think that is bad at all, I actually like that attitude, it just depends on how you behave.

Agree.

Quoting slvrblt (Reply 41): but it sounds from this thread that the airlines and staff in Europe don't ( can't? ) proactively deny boarding to intoxicated nitwits? That they look the other way and hope for the best?

Seems that way in this case. Seems a large group of people who were already intoxicated were boarded.

I think it's speculation to say the airport and the airline would want the staff to look the other way to avoid disrupting the drunken tourist trade, but it sure wouldn't surprise me if that was true because there's a lot of money involved.

Quoting slvrblt (Reply 41): That's a BIG difference from the way US carriers handle these things. If I see someone in the boarding area, or am checking them in and they are impaired, and I don't take action, I'm the one that's in big trouble. Makes no difference if you're a happy inoffensive drunk, an indifferent one, or a nasty obnoxious idiot. You don't fly, period. Until you sober up, that is. And federal law backs that up, CFR 121

I would hope this is the way it is. I think all of us who've traveled much have seen cases where it hasn't been that way.

Quoting Revelation (Reply 30): Quoting MD11Engineer (Reply 4): the wrath of his girlfriend The linked article said "The groom was among those detained, officers say" so that should make for an interesting discussion.

Now we read the lad was detained but not arrested, and is now throwing his mates under the bus!

Quote: In a statement released to the Southern Daily Echo, Mariner, a self-employed ceiling and partitions specialist, said: “The lads’ behaviour was unacceptable and they will now have to suffer the consequences of their actions. “It was reported by German police that I was one of the lads arrested, which isn’t true, and I will be seeking legal advice as it has caused a lot of distress for me and my family.”

Ref: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...dair-brawl-causes-flight-diversion

I guess he doesn't believe in 'bros before hos' 

Was going to write "when I read the title I was sure this involved Brits", but then others have had the same thought it seems. To be fair, if Ryanair hadn't been mentioned in the title my thought would have been "Brits or Russians".

Of coures not all Brits are lager louts, and there are fairly unpleasant and super primitive vulgar idiots with yobbish behaviour, primarily from "beer countries" in Scandinavia, or the Netherlands. The phenomenon is much less prevalent in countries where wine is the dominant alcoholic drink, such as Italy, Spain or France.

I am not exactly avoiding Ryanair for those reasons, but I have found myself spending a little more on Switzerland-UK flights to sit in the front cabin and avoid the hordes of partying British youngsters on their way back from St. Anton or Ischgl that use Zurich airport. Would never think of doing that on flights between Zurich and, say, Rome, Paris or Madrid. Snobbism? Absolutely not. Just a preference for not being surrounded by people that are noisy and a nuisance and prevent me from what I have to or want to do during my flight, such as work or reading a book.

Quoting thekorean (Reply 5): Aren't people usually not allowed to board if they aren't sober enough? I can't imagine they got drunk on the plane, if then thats on FR.

Pax can be OK as they board and go downhill very quickly. Crew have 30-60 second to establish sobriety as they board, unless of course they are warned by boarding staff.

A few years back I was going to work on a flight...happened to spot a guy who looked like he should be in a boy band (as in the awful clothes he was wearing) walking out of duty free with 2 bottle of vodka.
Lo and behold he was on my flight. I saw him and his mates board, they all seemed quite OK, however I noticed that I couldnt see the vodka. After take-off as they asked for drinks I queried the location of the vodka......confusion reigned. Turned out they (approx 6-7 in total) had downed the vodka with some mixers before boarding. No drinks for them until I was happy with their behaviour. Working in a bar/niteclub is pretty good trining for working as cabin crew. If I hadnt of spotted them they would have been served 1-2 drinks each and could have gotten a bit out of hand.

Quoting Revelation (Reply 45):

I did read the article and he did seem a bit whiny with the attitude "it was cool before they got busted"

This is why I don't drink I have enough problems with reality.

Quoting bjorn14 (Reply 48): This is why I don't drink I have enough problems with reality.

Good decision!

If one drinks, one needs to do so responsibly, but of course drinking impairs judgement so doing so isn't always easy.