MD80 PURSER QUESTIONS WHETHER AN ELDERLY WOMAN IS INTOXICATED; AFTER DEPARTING THE GATE.

Narrative

POSSIBLE INTOXICATED PAX. AFTER DEP FROM THE GATE; THE #1 FLT ATTENDANT INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD A FIRST CLASS PAX THAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN DRINKING PRIOR TO ARRIVING ON OUR FLT. I MUST STRESS THAT NEITHER THE FLT ATTENDANT NOR MYSELF HAVE EVER HAD ANY TRAINING ON HOW TO DETERMINE IF A PERSON IS INTOXICATED. IN ADDITION; WE HAVE NO TEST AVAILABLE TO US FOR SUCH A DETERMINATION. WITH THAT SAID; THE PAX; AN ELDERLY LADY IN FIRST CLASS; WAS TRAVELING WITH A COMPANION. THE FLT ATTENDANT ASKED ME WHAT TO DO IF THIS PAX WERE TO ASK FOR AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE I TOLD HIM TO EXPLAIN TO HER THAT DUE TO THE EARLY MORNING DEP WE WERE NOT PREPARED TO SERVE ALCOHOL. AS THE INFLT SAFETY COORDINATOR; I FELT THAT WAS THE MOST PRUDENT PLAN OF ACTION. THIS PAX NEVER WAS A PROB DURING THE FLT. UPON DEPLANING; SHE WAS VERY SLOW TO GATHER HER THINGS AND SEEMED OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT SHE WAS DELAYING THE OTHER PAX'S DEP BY TAKING SO LONG TO GATHER HER THINGS. CONCLUSION: AT NO TIME DID ANY OF MY CREWS SEE THIS WOMAN CONSUME AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. SHE WAS NOT SERVED ANY ALCOHOL ON MY FLT.