It Is A Problem For All Travelers To Experience Air Rage

Welcome To Cruising Altitude. A new column for USA TODAY that focuses on travel trends.

Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants told me that since the beginning of the 2016 Presidential campaign, passengers have become more aggressive towards crews.

She said, "This seems more to be about what is going on in the society." It's a combination of being isolated and the fallout of the pandemic, but it's also the fallout of our news organizations. Our leadership at the highest levels keeps people in a state of constant uncertainty.

Tell us about it: Was your mobile device damaged or lost by an airline? USA TODAY is interested in hearing about your story.

According to her, political polarization as well as competing narratives of reality are major factors in onboard aggression.

In an interview, Jared Kenworthy said that it seems to be more acceptable for people to act angry and belligerent in the past five or seven years. "It is more acceptable now to be angry and pissed all the time... This could be because everyone is posting them on social media.

She said that "these reports became a priority for the FAA, and they increased the staffing, as well as the attention in their agencies." It used to be a first-in, first-out process for these reports. But, by implementing zero tolerance, they could now prioritize them according to the most egregious.

How can air rage be addressed?

Kenworthy stated that all of these social media posts do not help, and those who act violently on planes should face more severe consequences.

He said that if there were real public consequences, such as people being arrested or receiving massive fines, or getting placed on a "blacklist", it would be more likely to stop this type of behavior.

Personally, I have a lot of faith in the experts. I agree with them if they suggest harsher penalties. I've seen my fair share of misbehaving adults and have done a lot of flying. It would give me confidence to know there are real consequences.

I would also like to see serious penalties for those who play music or watch videos on social media without headphones in the subway, but that's not what I meant.

What else should travelers know?

Kenworthy believes that air rage incidents will continue unless there are more severe and well-known consequences. Or, if there is a cultural shift in which outward anger is less socially acceptable.

"You are talking about a crowded, loud, and often smelly environment. He said that these are known predictors of aggressiveness. "That will push people over the top a little more easily."

Nelson has agreed.

She said that when a group of people are crammed into a small space, the potential for conflict is high.

She stressed that passengers must not interfere unless they are specifically instructed to do so by crew members or someone is in immediate danger of serious injury.

She said, "We are trained in de-escalation. We can solve problems if we arrive early."

She also said that, in a Mr. Rogers-like voice, it is a good idea for you to show flight attendants that you are on their side by your body language as you board the plane.

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She said that "the vast majority of people travel with kindness in their heart." When you board the plane, turn off your phone and make eye contact with flight attendants. This will show them that you are present, and they know they can rely on you to be helpful, or at least kind.

We should all make this a wonderful day for the 35,000-foot community.