Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Human Factors
Everyone showed up fit for duty and we pushed back for leg 1 of 5 for the day without incident. The day was going smooth and everyone seemed to be in good spirits as we grinded out the long day. There was no indication of anything wrong or abnormal until leg 4. I got the first indication that something was wrong as we were about to level off at cruise approximately 15-20 minutes into the flight. I was about to turn off the fasten seatbelt sign because it was very smooth when I noticed that one of the FA's was making an announcement and I proceeded to listen in. The B flight attendant (FA) was making an inappropriate; incoherent; and slurred announcement about a group of 3 passengers that were sitting in the back near her jump seat. I immediately called her on the intercom and advised her that I was not happy with her actions and that she needs to stop. I hung up and discussed what I had just witnessed with my First Officer (FO) and that I am concerned about her; as this was not her normal personality or behavior. We both then agreed to get the A FA on the intercom and see if she had noticed any changes in the behavior of the B FA. On the first attempt to just get the A on the phone; both of the FA's picked up. The B FA started speaking very loudly on the interphone about how she is 'back here partying and having fun with these 3 doctors.' I advised her that she needed to start acting more professional as her behavior was not appropriate. We hung up the phone and 1 min later I called again to try and isolate only the A FA on the phone. This time I was successful and she confirmed my observations. She advised me that the B FA is having trouble completing any coherent announcements and she is having trouble standing in the aisle. I advised her that I was going to turn on the fasten seat belt sign and that I feel they should stop the service and take their seats until I could get the dispatcher's opinion on how to proceed. Before we could hang up over the PA; I heard the B FA letting a passenger make a PA. I immediately and sternly ordered the B FA on the intercom to take her seat and don't get up. She became insubordinate and hung up the phone. The A FA agreed to try and speak with her and to stop the service as I called the company. This all happened in the course of a few minutes. The B FA went from no indication of anything wrong to 10 min later off the cliff. I got dispatch on the radio and we discussed the situation. At that time we made a joint decision that she was in need of evaluation and we needed management to meet us on the ground. I made the final decision that our destination was my nearest suitable airport to deal with this situation as we were only 30 min from touch down at the time. Dispatch agreed. I then turned my attention back to the cabin and through the intercom advised the FA's to just remain in their seats for the remainder of the flight. The A FA advised me that the B FA was not in her jump seat and was still partying with those same passengers. I then made a PA that we were approximately 25 min from touch down and that ATC had advised us that it was going to be turbulent and that I am asking all passengers and FA's to remain seated for everyone's safety. I then demanded the B FA to get on the phone. She did and continued to be insubordinate. I advised her that I wanted her in her seat now!!!; and that she is to remain strapped into her seat until we arrive at the gate. She got sassy but finally complied. When we got to the gate; a manager was there and the evaluation began. It was immediately obvious to all parties involved that she was impaired as she couldn't articulate anything to us. Another indication of her impairment was that she could barely walk up the jetway needing to use the handrails for support. Not sure if this situation could have been prevented. But upon further research a few days later I found out that in the FAM there is a procedure for A or B flight attendant incapacitation.Although I'm not sure it would have helped in this situation without causing a further cabin disturbance. I feel that; that procedure should be added into the Pilots FOM. I was only able to find guidance on Pilot incapacitation in our manual but it seems that they have a good procedure that should be incorporated into our manual or at the least referenced so that we know where to look.
Air carrier Captain reports discovering in flight that one of the Flight Attendants working the flight is inebriated. The flight continues to destination and the Flight Attendant is removed from the trip.