Travel letters: Please don’t deprive us of a drink on the plane

In regard to “Try a Booze Ban,” the Aug. 28 letter about serving alcohol on flights: People need the choice of an onboard alcoholic beverage for any number of reasons.

Many of us are starting on a much-needed vacation and, after getting semi-comfortable in our cramped economy seats and kicking off our shoes, the next thing we want is our celebratory gin and tonic to start the adventure, clunking plastic cups with our spouse or fellow row mate.

We might have envisaged having a nice, relaxing cocktail at the airport, but due to the two-hour line at security, had to run, breathless and sweating with bags in hand, to the gate. All the more reason for a drink.

Some of us just want to wind down after a successful or, sadly, unsuccessful business meeting (then I would definitely want a good whistle-wetter).

Water may be better for you to combat the flight dehydration, but God forbid anyone take away my options of transcontinental beer, wine and spirits.

On my last flight from London, the flight attendant announced that although “the mummy and daddy drinks” were gratis, we were “encouraged” to imbibe in a responsible manner — or else the captain would stop the plane. And you never want the captain to stop the plane.

So, yes, everyone, let’s fly and drink responsibly, but please, threats of no more alcohol will not be tolerated, or it will be me starring in the next viral upset plane passenger video.

Carl Addicott

Altadena

Good (road) work

Nice article on Yellowstone’s roadwork question (“Easing the Crowded Roads at Yellowstone,” On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, Sept. 4)

Thanks for digging into this question and getting a real answer.

As someone who grew up in Montana and has been to Yellowstone and Glacier many times, I am annoyed when people make off-the-cuff comments about the parks without knowing anything about them and how hard the National Park Service and its employees work to preserve the parks while giving visitors a great experience.

Kent Webster

Newbury Park