If you are working the flight, per many FOMs there is a policy to follow. Ask her if she cares to repeat or withdraw the comment. If she does not withdraw, you required to go take a test. Like others have said, I would tell her she just delayed the flight for herself and everyone else around as I must follow procedure and take every allegation seriously. Throw the delay in her face.

That's not being a drama queen, that's following airline policy. If you work for an airline, check your FOM to see if "shae your head" is part of the alcohol accusation policy.

Different weekend Chief, but that is a wonderful memory!

I think everyone is overreacting to this situation.

There is very simple resolution. Here's what I do; turn to her and say cheers.

No, in all honesty I slowly put down my beer, look around as if I'm not sure who's she's talking about and slyly walk away.

Stay Calm and Chive On!

I think the best thing to do is to confront the person in question nose to nose and say, "Are you making an accusation or a slanderous remark, because I will not be slandered by you or anyone else." Then watch how quickly they backpedal and say, "Jeez! I was just kidding!" Then you say, "I'm still not laughing and I await your apology."

Be sure to tell the LEO that you think she took something out of your bag and stuffed it down her shirt, but you're not sure what it was.

Then go get a refill on your drink and watch the show. :D

I would look her in the eyes and tell her to **** off. No time for the idiots of the world.

Exactly, anybody who would go take a pee test is really dumb. Absolutely ridiculous notion. Just blow the bit$& off.

Is that Brown's official position on that? I can assure you that at Delta, if that happened and you just blew it off and the CP office found out, you'd be doing the rug dance on why you didn't follow the FOM.

And then leak to the news how a )!*$(*&$#@ passenger caused a flight full of people to be delayed.

Yes, BrewMaster.....how fitting the name is.

Sorry Brewski....couldn't resist, nothing personal.

I like it.

How dare you? :)

For the folks (like me) who are a bit overly paranoid....

When you do call the company/CP, start the conversation with, "This is CA Schmuckatelly speaking with CA Jefe Piloto at [time and date]. CA Piloto, I am informing you that I am recording this call, do you understand and consent to this recording?"

(It works great with insurance companies that are reluctant to pay legitimate expenses too. Be advised, most responses you get will take several seconds as the representative tries to formulate a response the lawyers will be happy with.)


((Side note for those who are not Navy: Schmuckatelly is the "quintessential" seaman))

Didn't this happen at Delta not too long ago? Pax accused the CA of being intoxicated. CA had to go get tested at an out station. 3hours later an indignant pax was thrown off the flight and everything down the line was delayed.

All depends, she didn't accuse you of insobriety, she was investigating...
If she was cute, I would invite her to sit down, and casually explain that her "pick-up line" was a little crude...
If she was not attractive, in my best indignant voice state, "As I don't find you the least bit attractive, I can assure you (and everybody within ear-shot) that I am PERFECTLY sober!"

My personal opinion...

I would simply ignore. Responding to, addressing her, or even acknowledging her just serves to add validity to an otherwise meaningless remark and situation.

I would continue on as if I didn't here her, and as if she was not sitting next to me.

I LOL'd on this one! Nice!

If it were me...a blank, withering stares that makes someone realize just how stupid the excrement that has spewed from their mouth really is.

+1....also, what you do not say cannot be used against you.

Happened to a friend of mine as the crew walked into the gate area. He stopped, pointed his finger right in the guys face and called him an "*******". Informed the gate agent and called the CP right away. Refused to fly until a blood test was completed, so the cops were called. Flight was delayed for a few hours. Passenger got on another flight.

And he WAS accused.

What did he call him?

I think this is an outstanding thread. I never thought of the implications of a simple remark (or question) from a passenger. For a former military guy, career protection is not "right there" in the front of my mind when any of these situations arise. It's good to hear the "been there, done that" anecdotes from those who have had it happen to them or someone they know.

All revenge fantasies aside, I now know that I'd definitely give the CP a call and remove myself from the flight (if working it) until there is no doubt as to my sobriety. JSing home? I guess I need to dig in to the FOM and see if it's addressed.

Excellent thread!

Here's what happened to me:

I was putting in the code to the jetway door and some woman said, "Where have you been? The bar?"

I said, "Come with me," and walked her over to the CSA.

"This woman has just made a public accusation that I've been drinking. Unless you want me to delay this flight for two hours while I get an alcohol test, you might want to explain to her why that was inappropriate."

Then I went about my business.

Thread drift. Looking for opinions on this self-induced situation. I've walked on the plane on a few occasions while the passengers were loading. If the FAs back is turned, I'd say something like "Excuse me, Miss. I'm deathly afraid of flying. Do you have any recommendations?" Every time, my remark has caused chuckles from the passengers within earshot, especially when the FA turns around and sees that it's the FO making the remark.

Now I thought that it was pretty funny, but I'm wondering if there could be any backlash from some innocent humor if there actually WAS a white-knuckle flyer in the immediate area?

Thanks for your thoughts/opinions!

Just a thought, but a remark like that could undermine the confidence the passengers have in your professionalism. While most would recognize it as a joke, there are some who won't.

Flying USED to be fun. They're finding ways every day to make it not fun.

You got that right.

Amen! What a bunch of overly sensitive thin skinned Marys we have out there.

Funny stuff. When I'm done with the walk around and the pax are boarding, I usually ask the FA where we are going. The FA is usually the only one to take me seriously. Usually get a few laughs which says alot for my pathetic attempt at a sense of humor.

How do remember the flight number WRT ATC after so many legs/days? Since the Mooney sold, I have to look at the placard on the panel and stumble through my callsign.

Just a word of advice from someone who's been at Delta longer than you. I suggest you follow the FOM guidance and not your own opinion, even if you think it's being a thin skinned Mary if this happens to you. The union will not support you if you willfully disregard the FOM.

Holy Sh*t, that's a good one!:D

I fly (flew) the Embraer 145, on the panel is an analog clock with a digital screen for entering the four digit flight number. After 5 or 6 legs I need to look at that clock every radio call. That being said, the difficult part is on days off when I go home and fly my Mooney...its next to impossible to make a radio call without first accidently saying my airline call sign.

My FO got his bag physically searched by a TSA goon at EWR before a 6AM flight. When the goon wouldn't put my FO's things back in his bag, they got in a little argument that ended with my FO requesting a supervisor. When the 2 striper came over, the goon said "Personally, I think he's been drinking." I called my flt. manager, who said call the police.
The police came over, but would not test my FO because they only test people suspected of being intoxicated. They had no reason to test my FO as they saw no signs he had been drinking. Then the Federal Security Director for EWR showed up with very thick TSA policy books. The TSA policy at the time (no clue what it is now) said an accused pilot must either be 1)arrested or 2) cleared of wrongdoing. They police would not arrest or clear my FO, as they could not clear him of anything they hadn't accused him of and they saw no reason to arrest him. Anyway, this all took several hours and got much more involved than I have covered here, but we finally flew our trip. My FO never did get tested, as no one would test him. I suppose he could have gone to a hospital, but it was pretty obvious he was fine.
When we loaded up, I recognized several of our passengers as having heard the accusation. I consulted with the gate agent (a good one) and decided to make a PA. I made the PA standing in the cabin, so they could see me, and explained the situation. I told them that myself, the police, the Federal Security Director, our chief pilot, and the gate agent all agreed my FO was fine and that we would be departing. Everyone seemed OK so off we went.
Those of you that say you would get tested - that might be easier said than done!

There schould be serious penalties for those who falsely accuse a crew member of intoxication and the biggie would be to put any passenger who does so on the NO FLY list for a period of no less than 2 years plus the costs associated with the flt.being delayed .
Is it a bit extreme ?

I'm pretty sure that ignoring some idiots comments while waiting at a gate for my jumpseat home wouldn't constitute a violation of the Delta FOM. Nonetheless, I will look it up just to be sure.

We all know this to not be true. The union has gotten pilots fired for legitimate reasons their jobs back countless times. Which is my #1 reason for disliking unions.

Jumpseating home, sure, you're on your own. Confronted while on the clock, follow the FOM.

Delta1067 and I work for Delta. DALPA has publicly stated they will not support ANY willful disregard of any company policy. Inadvertent failure to follow they will support you. However, ignorance of company policy is not considered inadvertent at Delta. YMMV where you work.

CRJPlt, I'm sure that if the companies had followed their own procedures and policies correctly, the union would not have been able to get the terminated pilots jobs back. Unions are a necessary evil, I neither like nor dislike them.
Cheers,
fbh
P.S. I'm a 23 year ALPA member in good standing.