SW
Trouble is that Ground Staff often aren't firm (or experienced ) enough and can't wait to offload the problem on to the CC . ( Discuss !!)
I was waiting at a departure gate in the USA recently for my Virgin flight back to Heathrow, when I noticed a fairly obviously drunk passenger a few yards away. He wasn't being a nuisance or abusive but I hoped that he didn't have a seat anywhere near mine on the aircraft. I considered bringing it to the ground staff's attention, but to be honest, it wasn't too difficult to spot. Then I noticed a couple of 'robust' male "passengers" nonchalantly positioning themselves either side of him at a respectful distance - there was already a space between him and the other passengers. My curiosity aroused, I wondered how this was going to work. So I stayed some distance behind him in the queue when we were called forward.
When he handed his passport and boarding card to the female at the gate, she turned and passed it, without any hesitation, to a male member of the Ground Staff standing beside her. He then escorted the passenger through a door at the side of him - the 2 other "passengers" followed behind. I didn't see him again - it was all very slick and I was impressed.