Airborne boozing

Carbontet · Post by **Carbontet** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:00 am

New poster..

I think some of the freindliest people come from the midwest, and have met them at airports, starting a party on the ground. One time it managed to continue it into the air after take-off form O'Hare in Chicago.

I was waiting at a bar in O'Hare sinking a few beers and had idly commented to the bartender's query that I was going to Seattle to visit onleave from the Navy for christmas. My admission brought the interest of a Chicago woman who was on a business trip, and a man who was returning home to Seatlle. We hit it off pretty good. The planes were flying late due to snow, so we had little to do but talk and drink. By the time we boarded, we were fairly juiced and intended to continue the good times once we got aboard.

My estimation of the local time was about midnight when we took off and the plane was only half-full so we managed to get a row of seats together and take up where we left off. Now, that was the holiday season in 1983, so not only was it still expected that the booze flow, but there were no "quiet" times on redeye flights. The stewardesses were awake and responsive, delivered us drinks, playing cards and even cigarettes when we requested them. We smoked, bet money and had a good time, myself moving on to scotch and soda as my freinds were already drinking similar drinks. We didn't sleep on the flight at all and at three bucks a pop, we consumed over a hundred bucks of drinks on that plane. I could have fried eggs on my cheeks.

My folks (well, my mom) weren't all that thrilled to meet my toasted ass at the airport, along with being a litte more miffed at aving to wait for me to say goodbye to my flying drinking buddies. My comment of "I'm Drunk? Really?" to mom was a no-hitter. I had a good time. We didn't get home unti 3:30 AM, but I still hit the fridge for a beer after everyone else sacked out. I woke up at 5AMwith the farm report on TV, drank the warm beer on the end table by the recliner and went to bed. I woke up a few hours later and the house was empty, so I went out and found some old buddies to have fun with. My folks didn't see me until the day after that.

The only part that bums me out, is that my friends told me I got laid a couple of times during our get-together on that day, and were jealous. Hell, I was jealous of myself, I couldn't remember. :)

Paralepsis · Post by **Paralepsis** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:39 am

Greetings, Carbontet!

pour me a shot (or four) of good tequila and let me welcome you aboard.

Airport bars lead to the best stories, even though some of the details are a bit fuzzy. I'm *fairly* sure that, before I turned 21, I traded my leather jacket for a few more rounds at the bar in Sea-Tac while waiting for a friend. If that's not what happened, I don't know where it went, or how I got those drinks! Ah, so many years of good, blurry stories.

Carbontet · Post by **Carbontet** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:03 am

*pours you several shots*

Hi! Thank you for the warm greeting> :)

It's unfortunate, but airlines are not as generous as they used to be, and not as forgiving when a passenger wants to have fun. I found that even flying first slass has its limits. Even though they serve you before the plane takes off, some servers won't go beyond six drinks. That sucks. I wonder if trains will do better.

I'll be carrying a bottle on my next trip.

:D

Paralepsis · Post by **Paralepsis** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:58 am

I know the airports/airlines have become much less accommodating than they were (and, yes, that story of mine was from quite some time ago)

Re: Trains. Yes, they will - and they do!

As far as carrying a bottle or flask - another big YES! We do what we've got to do.

Thanks for the shots, and welcome to the team.
(Check out some of the stories at drunkard.com, too!)

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:30 pm

I was stuck in O'Hare for an overnight after I missed my connection from Colorado Springs. The bars closed at 10pm, and I got in at 10pm. I had a dry night/morning in the B terminal. Bullshit it was. I did sneak smokes in the men's room, after the companion I met in line went to sneak smokes in the ladies.

Carbontet · Post by **Carbontet** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:20 am

Paralepsis: It's good to hear that trains are at least holding something of a standard our airlines will no longer support, because it's been a while since I've ridden one. When I was floating around the Mediterranean Ocean, I had snagged a train from Haifa, Israel to Tel Aviv. Let me tell you something, the scenery on that train was less than awe-inspring and I was nigh bored to tears when a steward with a beverage cart that happened to be stocked with Maccabee beer, which I purchased and drank double-fisted for the 1-1/2 hours I was on that train. For some reason, Tel-Aviv had a little more sparkle to it when I got off that train.

As for the flask thing again, you're very correct. One has to be prepared for those moments when our ever-intolerant environment makes it difficult for us to enjoy our rewards for being hard-working productive citizens. (Every time I vote, I hit the liquor store.) (Before I vote.) Perhaps the flask concept can be expanded to the drinker's version of a first-aid kit in the event a person is stranded high and dry without succor of a wandering, well-stocked barkeep. :)

I've been reading at drunkard.com for over a year, and have found it to be replete with some of the best writing I've found on the web. Nice to see quality and imagination in one place. :D

Carbontet · Post by **Carbontet** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:42 am

Howdy Mayhem!

Yours was what I refer to as a very dire situation. I think that this is where the "Drinker's Aid Kit" would have come in very handy. I think that it's an absolute sin that one cannot find a drink in O'Hare after 10PM, but I do offer a suggestion that if you have the time (and a little disposable cash) to check your bags in and cab it over to the closest airport hotel. The lounge there should still be serving and you can tank up while everyone else is trying to get some shut-eye on those squeaky, ersatz naughahide chairs in the terminal.

I guess even places like Chicago will change given time. Visiting Mariott's Great America in 1984 before going on to another school in Virginia, I was surprised to find that vendors were selling drinks, including beer, to people in the cue line on the big wooden coaster there. It was great, it was hospitality. I learned not to drink beer at the end of a two-hour que line. (My Pal kept my place.)

thirsty4beer · Post by **thirsty4beer** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:50 am

Carbontet wrote:Perhaps the flask concept can be expanded to the drinker's version of a first-aid kit in the event a person is stranded high and dry without succor of a wandering, well-stocked barkeep. :)

you could call it a 'Thirst-Aid' kit

hello, Carbontet, and welcome 8)

Carbontet · Post by **Carbontet** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:16 pm

Hey Thirsty, Glad to meetcha, :D

I should have thought of that. Are you in advertisement?

What would you think the basic components of such a kit would be?

thirsty4beer · Post by **thirsty4beer** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:44 am

no, Carbontet, i am not in advertisement, it just came to me as soon as i read your idea.it doesnt happen very often, believe me!

as to contents, the kits could be personalised for the specific needs/desired types of booze each Drunkard...