A Passenger’s

A PASSENGER’S DILEMMA

By Michel Treskin

What role do you play in the safety of your flight and fellow passengers?

stopped flying as a Captain many years

Iago and now do most of my flying around the world as a passenger. It makes me wonder what I would do if there was a disruptive passenger on board and the safety of the cabin crew and other passengers were in jeopardy.

A NEW GENERATION OF PASSENGERS

It has been happening too many times around the world, but mostly concentrated in the Americas. You read about it almost on a daily basis so that it has practically become expected if you are travelling nowadays. During my time as a flight crew member and operating the aircraft, once we reached the cruising altitude, the cockpit (flightdeck) door would open and we would invite passengers to come up and check out the office. It all changed after 9/11. However, even during those times where alcohol was being served for free on every flight, you never saw or heard any problems with drunk and disorderly passengers. Cabin crew were never trained on how to deal with a verbally or physically aggressive passenger because it never really happened in those good old days.

It just didn’t happen. So what changed? I don’t think we could pinpoint exactly what happened to the new generation of passengers.

DECIDING ON INTERVENTIONS

We saw an increase of aggression during the times that the COVID face mask requirements were in place. It is still a concern in some parts of the world where masks are still in force in the cabin. Add some alcohol consumption to some passengers who are prone to losing it when intoxicated, plus the mask requirements while flying, and you have a powder keg ready to

The question remains of what the travelling passenger’s rights are if the cabin crew is being physically harmed and overwhelmed by an assailant. Do we get involved or do we sit complacently? Do we watch the drama unfold, or do we act and help?

Today’s cabin crews are trained and ready to deal with these extreme conditions. There are protocols to follow, and they include verbal and written warnings before drastic measures are to be used. It may happen prior to boarding where a passenger is observed acting abnormally, or potentially on board if the behaviour begins during the boarding. At this point, he might be reminded to snap out it and stay calm or else he will be asked to get off the airplane. If he refuses, in rare cases, the Captain might be asked to speak to the passenger and advise him of his options.

Once airborne, it becomes more complicated and more expensive if a diversion is re-

quired to deplane an unruly passenger. It might come to a point where the passenger might become physical with the cabin crew. The last line of defense, if you want to call it that, is restraining the passenger to his seat or somewhere away from the other passengers like the galley. The local authorities would be advised and waiting for the aircraft to land where they would probably board first before disembarkment and take the unruly passenger away in handcuffs.

LAST RESORTS

Unfortunately, it doesn’t go smoothly all the time. Passenger intervention is sometimes required to assist cabin crew who are overwhelmed and need desperate help. Usually, they will ask passengers who look strong

enough and who are willing to get involved.

You have the right to say no if you are asked. It is all up to you. There will be lots of others who will be willing to get their hands dirty and help a fellow crew member in distress. The good news is nowadays, any flight disruption is a huge offence and it carries severe consequences including jail time.

Happy landings everyone and stay safe.

MT

THE FINER THINGS

WINE

35 CB Wine Program: Toronto’s Michelin Guide

By Franco Stalteri & Donato Carozza

WELLNESS

39 This is How You Survive the Summer While Maintaining Your Goals

By Anna Rhymer