Clip the wings of the passengers who get sozzled before flights
YOUR article about budget airlines reminded me of our horror flight last August from Glasgow Prestwick to Palma, Majorca. Our flight was a nightmare. The majority of passengers were drunk on boarding the plane (plenty of checks were done on oversized and overweight luggage, but none on sobriety). We pitied the cabin crew. The well-oiled brigade refused to listen to safety announcements, refused to sit down, shouted to each other… From take-off at 7am these passengers were served with alcohol until they drank the bar dry. On arrival at Palma they refused to sit down and fasten seatbelts for landing. No one was arrested or taken off. Big question – does Prestwick Airport make most of its money from selling food and drink to travellers? And does Ryanair also turn a blind eye to such behaviour and continue to serve alcohol to people who are making other travellers’ journey a misery? A. DAVIDSON, Castle Douglas,
Kirkcudbrightshire. JONATHAN Brocklebank (Mail) is probably not old enough to remember the so-called halcyon days of flying. Oh, yes, you got an in-flight meal (usually pap) and your fellow passengers probably dressed up for the occasion – but, my God, did you pay for the privilege. Budget airlines have driven the cost of flying down. If that means occasionally putting up with a rowdy stag or hen party on a short-haul flight, then so be it.
T. CREE, via email. WE’D all like a private jet to whisk us abroad, but few would like to pay for it. Meantime, the budget airlines have transformed everyone’s holiday options – hurrah for them!
CLAIRE MCGUIRE, Edinburgh. AS a frequent flier, I’m very familiar with several budget airlines. I find Ryanair’s cabin crew get an unfair reputation for being unfriendly. Talk nicely to them and they’re charming in return. I have also seen drunks politely, but firmly, refused the chance to board the aircraft as they were too inebriated to comply with safety instructions. And I’ve seen the captain, flying out of Glasgow Prestwick, announce that alcohol would not be served. As for Ryanair’s ‘irritating trumpet blast’ announcing an on-time arrival – I’d rather hear that than the doleful announcement that you often get from so-called legacy or flag-carrier airlines apologising for yet another delay.
F. NOLAN, via email.