The Absent Uncle: It does surprise

Last week I read Tom Savage’s column in the Brandon Valley Journal regarding the habits of the early fliers on his flights to Japan.

Boy, oh boy, did that bring back some memories, Tom!

Over the years I did a lot of traveling and witnessed the amount of alcohol taken in by my fellow passengers in the early hours of the day without so much of a thought, an apology to those of us trying to wake up, and walked away without a bit of a stumble, slur, and off to do business on the errand intended.

My favorite example of this behavior was from a gentleman who boarded in Lafayette, La., for a flight to Dallas, Texas. I saw him numerous times on the earliest flight out that American Airlines offered (5:45 a.m.), and because of our frequent-flyer status we both were usually seated in the forward part of the regional jet (sometimes those planes had first class) and I got to witness the ritual. 

Upon boarding, he addressed the flight attendant with a “morning darlin’, the usual”. By the time half of the onboarding passengers were seated he had two flight-size vodka bottles and a glass with ice in front of him.

They had to be finished before taking off and the glass taken by the flight attendant.

At 10,000 feet the flight attendants were free to service the cabin and a refill was provided. Always a double.

As I said earlier, for a short time I was a regular on that early flight from Lafayette to Dallas, about an hour and 15 minutes in duration. I couldn’t help but engage my fellow passenger in a conversation on this small plane. He was a practicing attorney, doing mainly contract/real estate law for his clients. I got to know him a bit through our early-morning conversations, but never discussed his morning routine versus my coffee while we flew together.  

He was not the only one – just the one I remember best. I know I sound judgmental, but really, I am more curious about this behavior. 

Now I can somewhat look at American Airlines and hold them responsible for their very liberal policy of alcohol distribution at early hours, but more likely I need to hold the very people abusing that policy responsible.

I, like Mr. Savage, am not a teetotaler. I enjoy a good drink (or two) at the appropriate time and place. But really, at the crack of dawn, on your way to work?