Emirates and alcohol

[rookhawk]

I think you are stretching things to far into left field. I won't get into it on this forum, but my beliefs apply to a certain segment of the world, in which I have an extreme dislike for, and that's putting things mildly. Blanket statement, or not, I am very biased, and that won't change in my lifetime.

I'm not judging your opinion. Your concerns are with some merit. I was appealing for consistency. I've met remarkable, ethical people in every culture. Highest on my list of moral "good Christian ethics" of the people I've met have been Persian Muslims. They've been an educated society for 4000+ years while our kin were ignorant barbarians. Just one example of a profoundly moral group of people I've had the privilege to know in my lifetime. I've hunted many times with such people and found them to be great friends and sportsmen. I've had similarly favorable opinions of turks, kurds, Azerbaijanis, turkem, tajiks, alawites, copts, and the like.

Not withstanding all opinions on these matters: As a safari traveller with guns I found the service, respect, and tolerance in the UAE to be 5-stars. Much better than the professionalism, respect, and care given at the US airports when travelling with firearms. For that alone, I'm grateful.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Whatever the case this thread has gone off the tracks a bit. The thread started with a concern of flying Emirates and through Dubai in so doing. The concern was raised due to a "news" story. The story has an element of fact in that the woman in the story was detained. This much seems to be certain.

What is certain in my mind is that anything having to do with being arrested for alcohol consumption is completely false. You have those here in this thread who have been there and done that. If the woman's detention had ANYTHING to do with alcohol, it was that she was drunk and acted in such manner to prove it. I.e. she acted like a jackass. Act like a jackass, you may just get treated as one.

If you don't want to fly Emirates because you hate all Muslims and the countries they come from, so be it. While I disagree with your opinion on that issue, I'm not going to bother trying to change it.

But if you don't fly Emirates as a result of this "story", you're being swayed by what I consider nothing less than propaganda.........a nice word for bullshit. Personally I abhor those who try to sway me to their side using lies, regardless of their political position, for or against my own.

 

[Countrylife]

New
I don't worry about the laws of those countries, as I will never step foot on Islamic, or Arabic, soil.

That was my plan too. However, to get from point A to point B, I had to transit one of the Muslim Countries (Qatar). It turned out to be quite interesting and changed my opinion of the country when I had a couple hours to talk to one of the local Arabs - not sure this would apply to the UAE, but I suspect it would. I found out that not everything I'd been told about them was correct. The individuals I met and had interactions with were quite pleasant people - a bit different attitudes, but more tolerant of other views than I was led to believe.

I took a picture while I was there - it should have been a 10 second video. I showed it to my church when I got back and explained the circumstances around the picture - they were just as shocked as I was. In other words, if you've not been there, don't believe everything the news media and other propaganda outlets want you to believe.

In spite of my original plan to never transit a Muslim country, I've changed my mind and have decided that's they way I'll go in the future.

 

[Brent in Az]

An Emirates flight was just quarantined in New York, after a bunch of passengers fell ill. A few were transported to the hospital.

Conspiracy's are brewing.

 

[Johnny reb]

I do not have near the amount of time in the Middle East as some on here. I had some thoughts going in to the area after 2001. I was actually scared shitless and Ramadan was coming up. I was scared I would do something to disrespect someone or worse yet get caught up in some terrorist activity. But guess what after a couple days I actually felt rather comfortable. I minded my business and actually began to feel pretty damn safe in a country I really new shit about. That continued in several middle eastern countries some of the places I had to pay a little more attention to certain aspects of life. But in all honesty I felt safer in those places than my redneck ass did in Atlanta ,lots Angeles or several other cities in the us.

 

[JPbowhunter]

I've been through qatar a couple times, i didn't drink while i was there nor did i fly with Emirates (used qatar).

Mt wife and i tried to respect their customs so no drinking, no public displays of affection etc. And had no worries at all.

My concern was having my binos in my backpack, had fears of being pulled aside and interrogated for being a spy which turned out to be as you would expect unfounded.

 

[Waldo2382]

The quarantine was probably because of a hiccup in the chem-trail machinery ​

 

[flatwater bill]

I read this entire thread. Proving I have no life. Now, I must get back to reading about African Hunting..............FWB

 

[Brent in Az]

The quarantine was probably because of a hiccup in the chem-trail machinery ​

Maybe they spilled too much Fluoride into the cabin.

 

[Brent in Az]

CDC says the Emirates flight was a giant petri dish of Flu virus. Originating in Saudi Arabia.

 

[Gemsbok45]

I have traveled to Afica many times and also lived there. Why you would fly to a Muslim country to get there is beyond me.Atlanta/ Joberg.What am I missing here?

 

[Hank2211]

I have traveled to Afica many times and also lived there. Why you would fly to a Muslim country to get there is beyond me.Atlanta/ Joberg.What am I missing here?

Well, firstly, I'm not entirely sure what the religion of the country has to do with anything. The Emirates, including Qatar, are pretty civilized places and in fact a number of US (and other global) energy companies (including my former employer) have pretty big business interests there.

Secondly, given the choice between flying Delta and Qatar or Emirates, I don't think it's a choice at all. One airline is pretty crappy and the other two are among the best in the world. I believe they also serve alcohol on their flights, so they're hardly imposing their religious views on anyone. I admit things are a bit different in the airport in Doha, but you can always use a lounge, some of which serve alcohol (although not during Ramadan, I think). Alternatively, you can do what I do, which is to stay off the alcohol on long haul flights. Hasn't done me a bit of harm.

Thirdly, Delta is anti-hunter, refusing to transport hunting trophies. I haven't heard that about the other two airlines.

Fourthly, if you're not American, transitting the US with a firearm is taking your liberty in your hands. As a Canadian, I'd rather transit just about any other country with a firearm than the US.

Does that help?

 

[rookhawk]

I have traveled to Afica many times and also lived there. Why you would fly to a Muslim country to get there is beyond me.Atlanta/ Joberg.What am I missing here?

because Emirates is consistently the 1st or 2nd best airline in the world each year, flying though one of the most modern and affluent cities in the world. Versus, SAA as a bankrupt airline operated by a third world country who’s hub is in one of the most dangerous and violent cities in the world.

Calling Dubai a Muslim country is like calling Amsterdam a Christian city.

 

[Red Leg]

I have traveled to Afica many times and also lived there. Why you would fly to a Muslim country to get there is beyond me.Atlanta/ Joberg.What am I missing here?

Because it is a much, much better ride?

Business class on Qatar or Emirates makes Delta seem like a refugee flight (and I am a Delta Skymiles member). As I noted on another thread, I am usually transiting Johannesburg necessitating an overnight. I would much rather spend that night sleeping flat in an Airbus after a great meal and wonderful wine than doing the bag drag to and from City Lodge or Afton. I should also note their cabin staff is exceptional, the sort of attentive people one would have encountered on Pan Am or Delta forty years or so ago.

And lest I forget, the spacious business class lounges in both Dubai and Doha include showers, open buffet and bar, etc etc. Nothing very much like a packed filthy Delta Crown Room.

I will admit, I actually know something about the Middle East. I am a product of the Walsh School, Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University. I have been all over the Arab World (every Middle Eastern country except Syria and Iran). Not so many years ago, I was 4/4 in Arabic and I can still work my way through an Arabic newspaper, restaurant, or market anywhere East of Cairo or West of Iran. I have been treated with great hospitality virtually everywhere. Those places included formal diplomatic functions, military negotiations, business meetings, guest at private homes, and even a Bedouin tent on the edge of the Empty Quarter (camel milk must be an acquired taste).

That is what you are missing.

And for those with Alcohol angst, this is the business class bar on the Houston Dubai flight.

 

[Gemsbok45]

Hank you could be right as a foreigner traveling with a gun in the US.I have no way of knowing and Red Leg you sound very knowledgeable about the Arab world. Good journey to you both! When the show season starts again let’s compare some notes as to what really goes on in these countries.Let’s go hunting.

 

[wesheltonj]

It’s my understanding Qatar and it’s associated lounges do not serve alcohol during Ramadan. I can attest to Emirates, the Emirates lounges and the hotel Emirates housed me in when I made a flight during Ramadan had alcohol at all three. And I might add, not the cheap stuff either.

 

[GuttormG]

She was detained for trying to enter Dubai on an expiered visa, made trouble instead of just getting on a returen flight and thats ut.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Well, attempting to enter a country without a valid visa and arguing about it.. Try that in EU, USA, Australia, Singapore or any other civilised or for that matter uncivilised place.

 

[MMAL]

Well, attempting to enter a country without a valid visa and arguing about it.. Try that in EU, USA, Australia, Singapore or any other civilised or for that matter uncivilised place.

Unless of course you are traveling via the Rio grande! Then it is easy without a visa. I may ship my trophies to Mexico then walk them across.

 

[Foxi]

I’m with you my Brother…Unfortunately there seems to be many here who are more than willing to give money to state sponsors of terrorism in exchange for a cheap flight to Africa.

Most seem to find some moral equivalence between Islam and Democracy??

Then you have never dealt with the political situation in African countries.
You would be surprised how election results of 80 -95 % are achieved there.