Pomeroy's drinking

Boy, they sure glossed over the whole drinking aspect to Ford's character. Here he is, a bitter, hard drinking older gent who has a history of drinking. He was fired from his last steady gig, although it is not stated why - alcoholism?
Yet, when he goes out drinking, all Becky has to do is speak with him a few minutes and she convinces him to leave the bar? Seemed pretty unrealistic. I mean, he's been drinking, he doesn't respect her, and he is imbibing with old work chums. I think he could have easily sent her packing so as to not seem to be giving in to the demands of this young girl in front of his colleagues.
That seems to be the end of the question of Ford's alcohol intake for the rest of the movie. It left some loose threads with me.