It may have changed since my day, but it was often the case of the ground staff "kicking the can down the road" to the cabin crew. A moderately intoxicated person can stiffen up for the couple of minutes it takes to board, then the problem becomes one of crisis management.
If that Ryanair post (no.26) is genuine, full marks. However, I don't see searching all bags at the gate working with their tight schedules.