The faces of air rage - Perspective

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The,  August, 2003  by Harry A. Kern

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Lack of training, both of airline personnel and the general public, also may help cause incidents of air rage. The lack of training of airline personnel may impede their ability not only to diffuse potentially disruptive or dangerous situations involving passengers but also to recognize, before boarding, passengers who could pose a threat. In addition, the lack of training of the traveling public about expectations, regulations, unacceptable behavior, and the consequences thereof may help facilitate many incidents of air rage. Such training would promote better understanding for everyone and logically lead to a safer, more enjoyable traveling experience.

Problems in Assessment

Gathering and assessing information concerning air rage incidents can prove difficult. Not only do reporting practices vary between governmental agencies and airline companies, but the reporting mechanisms used often contain only some essential information, omitting many details concerning the factors surrounding these incidents. This may result in incomplete (as pertinent details surrounding these incidents may be omitted), as well as inconsistent and conflicting reporting (as many of these incidents may be mislabeled as air rage). Additionally, the records of many governmental agencies and airline companies prove difficult to obtain.

Airline company policies differ as to when air rage incidents are reported, or not, and when to leave the decision to employee discretion. Inadequate communications, worker shortages, time pressures, employee fear, and staff-performance measurement systems that may encourage conflict avoidance versus resolution, all may contribute to potential offenders' boarding of airplanes. (11) Differing policies of, and representation by, unions, such as those representing pilots, flight attendants, and other industry personnel, add to the overall mix of describing, reporting, and subsequent actions taken, or not taken, in response to the problem of air rage.

Also, judicial, sentencing, and other records may serve as an informational source as to what legal actions occur as a result of air rage incidents. Whether these reports contain the necessary detailed information to determine specific offenders' behaviors on a consistent basis to support research is another matter. Incidents of air rage potentially are handled at the federal, state, or local level, and the level of detail in the reporting may vary accordingly.

Issues for Law Enforcement

Various laws govern passenger conduct aboard aircraft and around domestic airports; when violating them, offenders may face verbal or written warnings, arrest, criminal prosecution, administrative hearings, fines, and civil actions. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial personnel must know and consistently enforce these laws, tempering their actions with the spirit of the law to assure order maintenance and passenger and crew safety during air travel. Federal, state, and local officials, working with an understanding of respective jurisdictions and prosecutive guidelines, will better address these incidents when they occur. Adequate training can ensure law enforcement personnel meet the varied and complex duties associated with airport policing. (12) As a possible future consideration, law enforcement agencies could benefit from using the Uniform Crime Reporting system to track air rage incidents.