Qantas have a "responsible service of alcohol policy" not a, "responsible SELF service of alcohol policy".
Common sense dictates that this can only be enforced if the consumption of alcohol by individual passengers is monitored and if need be controlled.
Crew have the responsibility to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for ALL passengers on board and routinely speak to people who's consumption gives cause for concern.
This is not done in a heavy handed manner but individuals sometimes need to be reminded of our obligations and that the effects of alcohol when flying are magnified.
No one likes to have to "turn it off " however if the reponse to this chat is of a belligerent nature we are often left without a choice.
Sometimes key phrases are used such as "you've had a good run" or "we'll make this the last one for a while" are used.
The "old school" will provide the last drink as a "floater". Where the spirit is poured on top of the mixer { as in a, " suburban" and coke} You know who you are!!!
The initial gulp is strong and used to mask the fact that the rest of the drink in basically non alcoholic.
People who think that they can try and better David Boon's record of 52 cans between Syd- Lhr are living in the past.The hostie who said "you drink em, I'll bring em" retired years ago.
The J/C "self service bar" is a concept dreamt up by marketing. Their concerns relate to getting people onboard not in the "nuts and bolts" of what happens once they become a captive audience.
It is a Mark Newson design and they cost $250 K each if the rumours I hear are correct. They look great BTW.
Marketing are selling the concept as self service but the policy at the moment is that between meal services, the bar is to be "manned" by a crew member.
Passengers are welcome to order a drink from the bar or help themselves to the food set out there but the mixing and pouring of drinks is only to be carried out by crew.
We have been directed by the FAAA that this policy must be adhered to and surely this is the only common sense solution.
There is a tiny placard on the bottom of the sliding front of the bar that says all passengers must return to their seats once drink or food have been obtained.
QF marketing may wish the bar to be operated in a self service manner but either they dont know or care about the operational problems drunk passengers routinely cause.
It is an offense to board an aircraft in an intoxicated state for a reason and even our onboard documentation, which is used to report back to the office, has a category specically for alcohol related abuse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HELLO??????
At the end of the day, if it all goes pearshaped because of some drunken yobbo, who do you think gets hung out to dry? The crew member who served them or the CSM who let them on in that state.
The FAAA are doing NOTHING more than helping to ensure that the onboard environment remains safe and comfortable for ALL concerned.