CRJ 700 CABIN CREW QUESTION THEIR LEGALITY TO FLY A RETURN TRIP AFTER UNKNOWINGLY CONSUMING ALCOHOL FROM A WATER BOTTLE.

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AFTER SERVING WHILE WE STOCKED THE GALLEY; WE DRANK SOME BOTTLED WATER. I WITNESSED THE OTHER FLT ATTENDANT DRINK WATER; SPIT IT OUT; AND CLAIM IT WAS ALCOHOL. I SMELLED THE BOTTLE'S CONTENTS COMMENTING IT WAS SURELY NOT WATER. WE DEDUCED IT WAS SOME FORM OF ALCOHOL. WE RPTED IT TO THE CREW. I WITNESSED THE OTHER FLT ATTENDANT MAKE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO COMPANY AND UNION OFFICIALS. THE COMPANY DIRECTED HER TO FLY THE SCHEDULE BACK TO ATL; EVEN THOUGH THE FLT ATTENDANT MANUAL AND FARS STATE NO PERSON MAY ACT OR ATTEMPT TO ACT AS A CREW MEMBER OF A CIVIL ACFT WITHIN 8 HRS OF CONSUMPTION OF ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. I WOULD LIKE THIS LOOKED INTO. WE SHOULD HAVE FERRIED THE ACFT BACK EMPTY AND ALCOHOL TESTING SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO FROM ACN 699925: A SUPVR FLT ATTENDANT RESPONDED FOR ME TO OPERATE MY SCHEDULED FLT BACK TO ATL WITH PAX. THE ACFT WAS MET UPON RETURN TO ATL BY COMPANY OFFICIALS WHOM TOOK SAMPLES OF WHAT I DRANK. I THINK I WAS GIVEN BAD GUIDANCE AND SHOULD HAVE FERRIED THE PLANE TO ATL WITHOUT PAX.