A recent Inflight Services Communication was published reminding us to use the traffic light system to ensure compliance with FAR § 121.575. This Federal Aviation Regulation establishes the following limitations as it pertains to alcoholic beverages:
(a) No person may drink any alcoholic beverage aboard an aircraft unless the certificate holder operating the aircraft has served that beverage to him.
(b) No certificate holder may serve any alcoholic beverage to any person aboard any of its aircraft who -
(1) Appears to be intoxicated;
(2) Is escorting a person or being escorted in accordance with 49 CFR 1544.221; or
(3) Has a deadly or dangerous weapon accessible to him while aboard the aircraft in accordance with 49 CFR 1544.219, 1544.221, or 1544.223.
(c) No certificate holder may allow any person to board any of its aircraft if that person appears to be intoxicated.
(d) Each certificate holder shall, within five days after the incident, report to the Administrator the refusal of any person to comply with paragraph (a) of this section, or of any disturbance caused by a person who appears to be intoxicated aboard any of its aircraft.
Compliance with this regulation is not an option. Effectively enforcing these requirements can mitigate, perhaps avoid, some of the unruly passenger events we see onboard our aircraft. This regulation, along with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) we have in place, is intended to enable us to make an evaluation for the purposes of distinguishing between intoxication and other medical conditions that might present similarly in order for us to prohibit boarding and travel by anyone appearing to be intoxicated.
Once awareness is brought to the Captain and CSR, they should huddle with the Flight Attendant, who should be an integral part of describing the behaviors they have observed. An evaluation will be made, together, to determine if there is a need to restrict travel as required under the Federal regulation. Using the traffic light system verbiage during the huddle supports and facilitates these necessary conversations. If necessary, and as an additional resource, the IFDM can be contacted for immediate support in the operation. In every instance, all events should be followed up with an IOR.