For me the low point in pre-liquor by the drink North Carolina was when two SBI agents arrested a stewardess on a Piedmont Flight coming from out of state to land in Charlotte. The SBI agents waited until they believed they were in North Carolina "airspace," ordered a mixed drink on the plane, and arrested the stewardress when she served it. What an utter waste of resources. While simultaneous with this was all sorts of illegal stuff (gambling & liquor by the drink) at facilities serving the Pinehurst golf courses. The key difference was Piedmont Airlines wasn't greasing the pockets of legislative leaders.