Poor behavior in the skies increases

Government data has revealed that on-board incidents involving badly behaved passengers have increased, despite security measures and hefty fines brought in after September 11, 2001.

Last year, 349 unruly passengers were reported to the government agencies, the second highest figure in the past ten years, and nearly 20 per cent higher than 2001's figure of 299. However, according to USA Today the figure is down on 2004's peak of 482 incidents.

Cases in recent years have ranged from passengers who refuse to take their seats to a 48-year-old Nevada man who choked and threatened to kill an off-duty crew-member.

Threatening and unruly behaviour on a flight can lead to bans and fines of up to $25,000, which the Federal Aviation Administration hopes will dissuade people from acting-up on board.

Speaking to USA Today former security director for Northwest Airlines, Douglas Laird, said he believes that is it a shift in airline attitudes rather than passenger behavior that is causing the increase.

According to Laird, passengers are now being reported to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration for smaller infringements than prior to 2001.

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