Most people know what happens if they get drunk (DUI) and drive or if they get drunk and go out in public (PI, or Public Intoxication). But most people don’t know what happens if they get drunk on an airplane. We’ll address this question in this post.
Basically the same principles we discuss below also apply to drunk and disorderly behavior on other common carriers, such as trains, buses, and ships.
Several layers of air travel-related alcohol offenses apply. A PI charge between the airport property line and a main entrance is essentially a run-of-the-mill PI case. Special jurisdictional rules often apply at Hartsfield-Jackson and other international airports.
A PI between the front door and security checkpoint entrance is usually an enhanced PI. Anything past the security checkpoint entrance is usually a federal offense. Federal prosecutors take these matters very seriously in the post-9/11 era, especially if the offense occurs on a plane in motion.
Regardless of where the PI charge occurred, several defenses are available. A Marietta criminal defense lawyer leverages these defenses at trial, or during pretrial settlement negotiations, to obtain the best result possible.
In-Flight Public Intoxication Cases
On airplanes, PI could be being so drunk that you endanger yourself or others, or it could involve an alcohol-fueled disturbance.
The bar is very low in these situations. If Bill gets out of his seat and goes to the bathroom, he’s a danger to himself or others. If Jane flicks the overhead light on and off, she’s creating an alcohol-related disturbance.
Why Alcohol Affects You More on a Plane
These tough laws are certainly a consideration. Furthermore, people get drunk faster on airplanes, so even one drink may be one too many, especially if the defendant killed some pre-departure time at an airport bar.
Cabin pressure is one of the biggest reasons people feel intoxicated faster during air travel. Commercial airplanes are pressurized, but not to sea-level conditions. Instead, most aircraft cabins are calibrated to around 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. At that altitude, oxygen levels are lower than what your body normally experiences.
Lower oxygen saturation causes hypoxia-related fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and slower reaction times. Alcohol magnifies these effects. Even a small amount of alcohol may feel more intense during a flight than it would at home or at a restaurant on the ground.
Dehydration is another factor. Airplane cabins have extremely low humidity levels, often lower than many deserts. Since alcohol is a dehydrant, drinking while flying can quickly dry out your body and worsen symptoms like headaches, nausea, and exhaustion.
Common Symptoms of Being Drunk on an Airplane
The good news about the multiplying effect of air travel is that, to some extent, intoxicated people are more self-aware of their limitations and have a chance to adjust accordingly. The symptoms of intoxication on a plane are similar to regular drunkenness, but they can appear more quickly and feel stronger. Some common effects include:
- Lightheadedness,
- Dizziness,
- Fatigue,
- Poor coordination,
- Slurred speech,
- Nausea,
- Mood swings,
- Increased anxiety, and
- Aggressive behavior.
Because airplane cabins are cramped and movement is limited, even mild intoxication can become more noticeable. Turbulence can also make balance problems seem worse. So, under many circumstances, defendants appear intoxicated even if they aren’t legally intoxicated. For public intoxication purposes, appearance is usually all that counts.
What Happens If You Become Too Drunk on a Flight?
Airlines take intoxicated passengers seriously because alcohol-related incidents can create safety concerns for crew members and other travelers.
If a passenger appears excessively drunk, flight attendants may stop serving alcohol immediately. Cabin crew members are trained to identify signs of intoxication and disruptive behavior. Airlines are legally allowed to refuse additional alcohol service to any passenger.
By that time, however, the passenger could already be at the PI threshold. Legally, the airline must usually follow an escalating checklist.
Verbal Warnings from Flight Attendants
Take these warnings seriously, because in most cases, it’s your last chance to avoid serious problems. Don’t argue with the flight attendant and escalate the situation.
Instead, try to sit quietly for the remainder of the flight and drink as much water as possible. Don’t apologize to fellow passengers who may be in an argumentative mood.
Confiscation of Alcohol Brought Onboard
The flight crew could confiscate open and unopen containers. The Fourth Amendment’s prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures does not apply in these cases. So, once again, your best bet is to cooperate and avoid escalation. Otherwise, the flight crew could report the situation to the captain or call the police upon landing.
Removal From the Aircraft
If an intoxicated passenger continues to be a danger to himself or others or continues to be disruptive (remember that almost anything is dangerous and/or disruptive), the airplane might make an unscheduled emergency landing and evict you from the plane.
If that happens, you’ll be stranded wherever the airplane lands. Until that happens, the crew may have the right to detain you and segregate you from the other passengers. Even worse, your name usually goes onto a naughty list.
Travel Ban
If a passenger gets drunk aboard another flight, the passenger may be unable to board another flight on any airline, even if the subsequent incident never got past the verbal warning phase. A Marietta criminal defense attorney may be able to get your name off the list, after the completion of an alcohol evaluation and treatment program.
On a similar note, if a passenger is visibly intoxicated at the terminal, airlines can deny boarding, in most cases.
Limit alcohol consumption when traveling by air. For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Marietta, contact the Phillips Law Firm, LLC. We routinely handle matters in Cobb County and nearby jurisdictions.
