Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 1963)
TIIUItSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1063 MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON FAA Collects Fines From Drunks And Four Airlines By ROBERT J. SERLING UPI Aviation Editor WASHINGTON (UPI) - Al most four years have passed since the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) decided to do something about airborne drunks. It was on March 10, I960, that the FAA added "Rule 40, Sec tion 371," to the civil air regu lations that "no person shall drink any alcoholic beverages aboard an air carrier aircraft unless such beverage has been served to him by the air car rier operating the aircraft." About a year later, the rule p th air lines greater responsibility for keeping intoxicated passengers off their planes. The FAA in formed the carriers they would be held responsible if ramp ag ents or cabin attendants al lowed drunks to board aircraft If said drunks wound up cre ating in-flight disturbances or endangered safety. Rule 40 provides a civil pen alty of up to $1,000 for any pas senger who decides he can mix a drink better than a steward ess. It also provides the same maximum penalty on any air line which (1) allows passen gers to drink from their own bot Hos ni- (2) permits inebriated customers to board In the first place. Since March 10, 1960, the FAA has collected more than $5,500 in fines from 29 passeng ers. It also has collected $1,250 in fines from four airlines. Does FAA think the airborne drinking problem has been brought under control? "The situation has improved since fines were levied," said the FAA director of flight stand ards, George Moore. "Mainly it's due to the publicity given some of the worst incidents. We're investigating about two cases a month and that level remains fairly constant." The overwhelming majority of unpleasant or even dangerous incidents stem from passengers who get loaded before they get on planes. This, according to Moore, was the FAA's primary reason for telling the airlines their ramp agents, ticket counter personnel and stewardesses had to keep drunks from boarding in the first place. "Generally speaking," Moore commented, "stewardesses have been very efficient in this. The ground personnel have been far more lax, first because they hate to assume the responsibili ty of telling a passenger he can't board and second because they figure 'Let the stewardess make the decision.' " The 29 fines against passen gers since 1960 by no means represent the total number of incidents. These number well over 50. This is relatively low, however, considering the mil lions of flights that have been operated in the last four years. But each incident represents, at the least, unpleasantness and at the most actual danger. Review Worst Case The worst case in FAA's files involved a drunken passenger who was refused champagne by a stewardess. He pulled a ?un on her, belted her in the face with a fist, and threatened to force his way into the cockpit. The captain locked the flight deck door. The passenger is now serving a year in prison for en dangering the safety of an air craft in flight. In another case, a drunk did force his way into the cockpit and fell across the captain's shoulder. The surprised pilot in turn fell forward against the control yoke and the plane went into a momentary dive. This playful passenger shelled out $500. One drunk became so violent it took five crew members to restrain him. The majority of incidents usually involve vul garity, profanity and literally "disturbing the peace" but every such incident carries the seeds of potential catastrophe. Such as the inebriate who threw lighted cigarettes on the floor of an airliner cabin and burned holes in flight schedule bro chures. "No one," Moore pointed out, "can predict what a drunk is going to do." In retrospect, one incident also carried the seeds of humor. A drunk staggering around New York's Idlewild Airport recently approached a well-dressed man to inquire "Buddy, d'ya Know! wnat gate blank airlines flight 50 leaves from. I The other passenger courte ously escorted him to the right gate, then waited to see if the ramp agent would board him. The ramp agent did. The stew ardess threw him off. But the airline wound up paying a $100 fine. The good Samaritan wai the then-head of FAA Flight Standards, George Prill. "There were about 5.000 pen pie in Idlewild that day," chuckled Moore, "and that drunk had to pick out George Prill to ask about the gate number." While the FAA does not clas sify drinking as a major prob i ;, nni lnttintr itn in its enforcement. Moore believes the number of incidents reported may increase in the near future, not because the drinking prob lem is getting worse but because the public itself is more aware of rule 40 and its implications. "Wed like the airlines to take the lead in making sure passeimers know the penalties involved," Moore said. ' We may ask the carriers lo print rule 40 on iiquor menus, for example, or post copies of the rule at airports. Education as well as enforcement is the answer." X WE ALL Caravelle is your best l QUALITY WATCH (K m WT S"iktr 0,,,.,; D,d Com , 1 21 N. CENTRAL U. 1908 1. Convenient Terms if Desiredl ' nun m n u ts FOR HIM, FOR HER, of 231 Eait Main Phone 773-6763 HMu air w;r x Caravelle Guarantee This certifies that this CARAVELLE watch has been timed and tested under rigid scientific quality controls, and guaranteed by CARAVELLE against defects in factory mat erial and workmanship for one year from date of purchase from your authorized CARAVELLE dealer. This CARAVELLE watch can be repaired by any capable watchmaker. This quality watch is scientifically made, and, with proper care, will tell time accurately throughout the years. . iini LOOK AT THESE FEATURES NEVER BEFORE AVAILABLE at this low price v l 38 Years Continuous V-- MEDFORD. OREGON I fs-i,' iilui4 JiwiIii .f ArwrfcM 5em SocWf -fc J Come in and See the Complete Selection of Caravelle Watches at these DOWNTOWN JEWELERS , (,,J"w -yc 1 Picards Jewelers Next lo Pick's 108 E. Main 4: .i.LU.Trje with jewelry gifts for everyone on your list. Thrill them with treasures from the gifted selections at these Five Jewelers It's More Fun Shopping Downtown 7r v ' .- A SB? . Arc ''V NJtOINC. Th gtimour t M. CULI0N. MiMinw ' mondi t in lm!t rvfl'd Wt"PfW, hlviblt lour prictt Ti6 ihoch - rcililmt. HN'i1 ipjiklini emj In imirt bjnd, frictiion-lil (nMltrt tithion cut. $22.11 mtnt flUf
