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Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

US Airways has been ordered by the state of New Mexico to stop serving alcohol on flights coming into or leaving the state after learning the airlines doesn't have a state liquor license. The superintendent of the state Regulation and Licensing Department said US Airways should not serve alcohol while in New Mexico airspace - stating the airline is "effectively bootlegging" without a license. The airline will comply.
This is not the whole story - there is a much more serious element we should all take to heart.

Frieda understands the legalities. The important issue and lesson to be learned here is being ignored - the real issue is not that alcohol was served without having a liquor license - the real issue is that alcohol was served to an already intoxicated man who then left the plane, got into his truck, and killed 5 innocent people. The investigation into the November drunk driving incident uncovered the lack of the airline's license.

Why isn't the airline focusing on training flight crews to refuse service to already intoxicated passengers? The news media reported fellow passengers told them the man was clearly drunk in the air, but the crew continued to serve him liquor anyway. Later, after stopping to buying a six-pack, the man was driving the wrong way on an Interstate, slammed his truck into a minivan carrying a family home from a soccer tournament - killing five people at the scene. The drunk driver died the next day. In many states, if a bar continues to serve a noticeably drunk patron and allows him to leave the bar and drive a car, the bar can be held partially responsible if a fatality results. This is done in an effort to stop drunk driving and to protect the innocent public - like a family enjoying a soccer tournament together. I think this should be no different for all who serve alcohol to the public.

Instead of focusing mainly on obtaining a license so alcohol can legally be served in the skies - thus allowing this disaster to happen again, shouldn't this airline and all others focus on teaching their crews when not to serve alcohol? Five members of a family would probably be alive today if this had been done.