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Praxius · Mar 9, 2007, 11:49 am

Drunken rage to cost plane passenger $17,000

Quote:

David McAuliffe, 38, pleaded guilty in a Winnipeg courtroom Thursday to mischief and disobeying a flight crew.

McAuliffe became abusive to passengers and flight-crew members when he was refused alcohol service while flying from London to Phoenix for a business trip last Saturday.

He was eventually handcuffed to his seat and the pilot on the British Airways 747 diverted the plane to Winnipeg.

A soft-spoken and clearly embarrassed McAuliffe said Thursday that he was sincerely sorry to everyone on the plane for his behaviour.

He said the last five days had changed his life and he admitted the hurt and pain he'd caused his family were tremendous.

McAuliffe said he had been afraid of flying since he suffered injuries in a plane crash in England several years ago. To deal with his intense anxiety, he combined Valium with a day-long drinking binge before the plane took off.

Ok, so besides him being Irish and asking for a drink (I'm Irish too

) due to him being in a previous plane crash, I could see how he would have been a bit edgy and nervous..... and refusing him a drink to help calm him down does seem kinda crappy...... and I could imagine myself in that situation, and then getting handcuffed to the plane, after already having fears of plane crashes.... yeah.... that would make things worse.

All they had to do was give him a drink..... but no... they had to get between an Irishmen and his alcohol.....

ZNFYRH · Mar 9, 2007, 01:27 pm

I think it was the "abusive" part that got him in trouble. Though he clearly boarded the plane in England, because in the U.S. I think one of the newer Federal laws says you can't board the planet drunk.

Deus_ultima · Mar 9, 2007, 02:09 pm

Quote:

Quote by: ZNFYRH

I think it was the "abusive" part that got him in trouble. Though he clearly boarded the plane in England, because in the U.S. I think one of the newer Federal laws says you can't board the planet drunk.

Though I had my dad stumble into a plane to Dallas after we'd been to "Cheers" and had 2 of them giant bucks of beer!

ZNFYRH · Mar 9, 2007, 02:22 pm

Was he boarding the planet in the U.S.?

How long ago was it?

Deus_ultima · Mar 9, 2007, 02:26 pm

6years ago about..

ZNFYRH · Mar 9, 2007, 03:37 pm

Ahhh, okay. No "no drunks" policy in the U.S. then.

Deus_ultima · Mar 9, 2007, 04:00 pm

I guess it depends on the character. My dad after too many drinks smiles a bit. Says thank you a lot and falls asleep.

So got in Montreal, fell asleep. Woke up in chicago, drank more, went back in plane, fell asleep, woke up in Dallas!

GHook93 · Mar 9, 2007, 04:07 pm

It was the flight attendant who was at fault! :confused:

The flight crew should have known. Never refuse an Irish man a drink. Alcohol to the Irish is like air to the rest of us. :eek:

Keith Hamburger · Mar 10, 2007, 10:59 am

Quote:

Quote by: ZNFYRH

I think one of the newer Federal laws says you can't board the planet drunk.

So, now when I have a drink I'm required to float in the air?

Can't drive drunk and can't "board the planet" drunk.

I think I'm in trouble.

Keith

Mar 9, 2007, 01:27 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	I think it was the "abusive" part that got him in trouble. Though he clearly boarded the plane in England, because in the U.S. I think one of the newer Federal laws says you can't board the planet drunk.

Mar 9, 2007, 02:22 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	Was he boarding the planet in the U.S.? How long ago was it?

Mar 9, 2007, 02:26 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Deus_ultima Molten Ash Location: Wales Posts: 132	6years ago about..

Mar 9, 2007, 03:37 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	Ahhh, okay. No "no drunks" policy in the U.S. then.

Mar 9, 2007, 04:00 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
Deus_ultima Molten Ash Location: Wales Posts: 132	I guess it depends on the character. My dad after too many drinks smiles a bit. Says thank you a lot and falls asleep. So got in Montreal, fell asleep. Woke up in chicago, drank more, went back in plane, fell asleep, woke up in Dallas!

Mar 9, 2007, 04:07 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
GHook93 Aristotle Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,572	It was the flight attendant who was at fault! :confused: The flight crew should have known. Never refuse an Irish man a drink. Alcohol to the Irish is like air to the rest of us. :eek: