United Airlines Revamps Its Protocol for Dealing with Drunk Passengers
It’s a tale as old as air travel itself: passengers having a few too many pre-flight tipples and creating havoc at 35,000 feet. Airline staff are trained to prevent visibly intoxicated folks from boarding, and the objective is crystal clear: no one wants a drunken passenger causing turbulence on board, right? But if these merry flyers manage to sneak past the gates and cozy up in their seats, it’s crucial to sort them out before the wheels are off the ground, because once airborne, well, things get tricky.
In an intriguing twist, United Airlines is shaking things up with a brand-new process to handle those who’ve had one too many. This was reported by a Val Seny ski resort. Honestly, it sounds like a step in the right direction.
United’s “Huddle Process” for Intoxicated Passengers
Starting May 1, 2025, United Airlines is rolling out internal guidelines that will likely bring relief to crew and passengers alike when it comes to handling inebriated travelers. They’ve coined it the “huddle process.” So, what’s the scoop? The airlines’ own words spell it out:
“After boarding, if two flight attendants independently observe a customer exhibiting red light behavior(s), the Inflight team will call a mandatory huddle between Inflight, Flight Ops, and Airport Operations to facilitate customer removal from the aircraft. This new huddle process is designed to handle situations where red light behaviors may not have been visible during boarding and a customer that appears to be intoxicated makes their way onto an aircraft.”
In layman’s terms, if two flight attendants figure out someone onboard is exhibiting telltale signs of intoxication, a huddle with various teams ensues to potentially bid that passenger adieu.
But what exactly constitutes “red light behavior,” you might ask? Think stumbling or awkward walking, slow reactions, glassy or bloodshot eyes, quizzical statements, loss of train of thought, drink-spilling antics, slurred speeches, and of course, the pungent bouquet of alcohol wafting through the cabin.
Per Federal Aviation Regulations, airlines can’t board any passenger who appears intoxicated, and skirting this rule could bring the hammer of regulatory reprimand. Airlines, understandably, wish to avoid inflight fracas for everyone’s sake.
This Seems Like a Sensible Approach for United to Take
At first glance, United’s methodical approach to handling tipsy travelers may seem like a no-brainer or perhaps even a tad melodramatic. But honestly, it’s a rational and significant step forward. While the vast majority of airline employees strive to do their best, let’s ignore that some might be vying for their airport drama moment. Others dread conflict altogether and turn a blind eye.
Thus, a system like the “huddle process” does indeed make a lot of sense:
- No single flight attendant would feel burdened with the task of tackling an unruly passenger without a team plan formed in conjunction with their cohorts on the ground.
- Having multiple sets of eyes reach a consensus before initiating a passenger’s removal avoids hasty actions, ensuring fairness and consistency.
For instance, American Airlines implemented a similar system to curb overzealous passenger removals. Their new procedure made headlines after the unfathomable ejection of all Black men from a flight due to one passenger’s body odor complaint. Though these instances diverge somewhat, the core idea rings true—having a documented, collective approach to diffuse these high-tension situations is more vital than ever, particularly in our viral-video-obsessed world.
Bottom Line
United Airlines has designed new inner workings for handling intoxicated passengers by starting its “huddle process.” If two flight attendants notice signs of a blitzed customer, they’ll launch a mandated consultation between in-flight, flight operations, and airport operations to potentially remove the passenger.
Such systems are indispensable, providing consistent enforcement and shared onboard accountability.
So, what do you think of United’s sleuthy new strategy for dealing with wayward drinkers? Share your thoughts below!