Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Don't Become the Latest Viral Video

In the age of camera phones and social media, bad airplane behavior can quickly go viral and ruin reputations. We've all seen the headlines - "Passenger's In-Flight Meltdown Captured on Video" or "Unruly Flyer Tased and Dragged Off Plane." While some incidents are beyond the traveler's control, others are completely avoidable if passengers simply comply with flight attendant instructions.

Getting kicked off a flight and becoming the subject of a viral video is humiliating. But it's also expensive. Unruly passengers can face fines of up to $35,000 per incident as well as potential jail time. Even if you don't get charged criminally, the airline may choose to ban you for life. Imagine never being able to fly on that carrier again. For frequent flyers, that's a serious inconvenience. For airline employees, dealing with uncooperative passengers also leads to stress and delays. As one flight attendant told reporters, "We are not the mask police. We are not the flight attendant police. We were hired to ensure your safety and to serve your needs... We just want everyone to get along and travel safely."

When tensions run high, it helps to remember that the staffers onboard have no control over late departures, crowded planes, or basic economy seats. Yelling at them or refusing to comply with FAA regulations won't improve the situation. Chances are your flight attendant doesn't want to divert a plane, restrain a passenger, or file a police report. They simply want to avoid chaos so everyone can reach their destination on time.

You never know when a smartphone camera is recording nearby. Is having a meltdown worth ending up all over the internet? Ranting at airline personnel virtually guarantees your actions will be documented. Even reading about unruly passengers in the news should be enough to make anyone reconsider bad behavior. Imagine explaining that viral clip to friends and family. Most of us would be mortified.

What else is in this post?

1. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Don't Become the Latest Viral Video
2. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Flight Attendants are There for Your Safety
3. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - The Consequences are Severe
4. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Alcohol Doesn't Mix with Altitude
5. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - What Would Your Mother Say?
6. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Follow Instructions for Take Off and Landing
7. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - We All Just Want a Peaceful Flight
8. Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Make Flying Fun Again

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Flight Attendants are There for Your Safety

When that seatbelt sign illuminates, it's time to listen up. Those uniformed crew members barking orders aren't just there to dole out tiny bags of pretzels - they're highly trained aviation safety professionals. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), flight attendants receive between 3 and 6 weeks of intensive instruction before ever working a real flight. Their training covers everything from emergency protocols and evacuation procedures to terrorist response tactics and crowd control. It's no cakewalk.

And that training gets put into practice more often than you'd think. Just ask Seattle-based Alaska Airlines flight attendant Allie Malis. In 2018, she was working a flight from Seattle to Austin when a male passenger became disruptive mid-flight. "He lunged for the exit row door and tried to open it," Malis said. Thanks to her training, she knew exactly what to do. "I grabbed him from behind, pulled him down to the ground and put him in a restraint position." The pilot diverted the flight and police removed the erratic flyer upon landing. Malis' fast actions prevented in-flight disaster and probably saved lives.

For Arizona-based attendant Bobby Laurie, training prepared him for one of the scariest moments of his career - an engine explosion at 37,000 feet. "My training kicked in," said Laurie. "I jumped up, got the first aid kit and began assessing injuries." Luckily, no one was hurt during the explosion. Laurie also reassured panicking passengers and coordinated an emergency landing. His level-headed response amidst chaos allowed him to take control of the situation.
Of course, most flights aren't dealing with mid-air engine detonations or attempted exit breaches. But even under mundane circumstances, flight attendants are hard at work safeguarding passenger wellbeing. From ensuring lavatories remain sanitary to treating airsickness, allergies and injuries, crew members perform vital health and sanitation duties behind the scenes. And don't forget about their food safety responsibilities - keeping galleys clean, monitoring hold temperatures, and preventing contamination.

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - The Consequences are Severe

The penalties for unruly behavior are no joke - they can wreak lasting havoc on your finances and freedom to fly. Just ask Kelvin Lam. In December 2021, he became disruptive and fought attendants onboard a United flight to Hawaii. As a result, Lam was fined $77,272 by the FAA for interference with crew member duties. Now imagine getting slapped with a fee that large - it would decimate most people's savings.

And the financial consequences don't stop there. If your rambunctiousness causes a flight diversion, you may be responsible for reimbursing the airline for fuel, time, and landing fees. For one Ibiza-bound jet that had to divert due to an unmanageable passenger, the cost amounted to nearly $200,000. Even if you dodge fines or reimbursements, a good lawyer isn't cheap. When Orange County lawyer Andrei Serban allegedly 'terrorized' crew on a United Express flight, he was hit with federal charges to the tune of $86,000 in legal fees.
Think a lifetime ban sounds harsh? Perhaps, but imagine explaining that to clients when your business relies on air travel. When Carl Long was banned from Delta for refusing to wear a mask, the real estate agent complained that he may lose upwards of $30,000 a month from inability to visit his properties easily. Moral of the story - don't let poor choices permanently ground your career.

And for serious cases that land you behind bars - consequences involve more than lost income. You surrender your very freedom and privacy. When Hin-Kin 'HK' Cheung got sentenced to four months in federal prison for assaulting a flight attendant, it meant exchanging comfortable home-life for a cramped cell with questionable company. The mental toll of incarceration along with the emotional strain on family could stretch years into the future.

Of course most unruly flyers won't end up with six-figure fines or sentenced to years of incarceration. But even smaller penalties pack a punch. After Air Canada banned commercial fisherman Dave Carlson for failing to wear a mask, he lost his ability to commute easily between his homes in Alaska and Minnesota. As Carlson said, "I can't even go see my family now... I'm living in exile." He laments being unable to visit his grandchildren conveniently.

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Alcohol Doesn't Mix with Altitude

The friendly skies aren't always so friendly when alcohol is involved. At 35,000 feet, even a couple of drinks can intensify intoxication and impair judgement. This dangerous combination often leads to belligerent behavior and violent outbursts.

Don't be the guy who tries to vape in the lavatory after one too many pre-flight IPAs. Delta passenger James Clayton Yocham was arrested for public intoxication after allegedly blowing vape clouds in the bathroom. One attendant recalled him reeking of alcohol during boarding. In that dry, pressurized cabin, even a slight buzz can put you over the legal limit.

Those tiny bottles of booze on the beverage cart? They hit different at cruising altitude. Flight attendant Bobby Laurie says intoxicated passengers often underestimate the effects. "They'll have a few glasses of wine and either become rude to the crew or attempt to get into areas of the plane they shouldn't be in, like someone else's seat or the galley."

It's not just rule-breaking and rowdiness. Minor provocation can set off aggression. Take the case of Michael Kerr, who downed multiple mini bottles before lifting his hand at a flight attendant. He was so intoxicated that a verbal dispute escalated to fists flying. On descent, he punched the staffer square in the face, chipping her teeth. All over a request to wear his seatbelt.
Even without getting physical, intoxicated diatribes directed at airline staff take a serious emotional toll. Flight attendant Allison Slater recounted the trauma of passengers turning abusive after too many in-flight cocktails. "I had four large gentlemen yelling profanities in my face. They called me terrible names and cornered me in the galley." She needed weeks of counseling to process the harassment.

Before you order that next whiskey and coke, consider how alcohol might unlocked your inner 'Kevin' at 35,000 feet. Intoxication clouds judgement and impairs reasoning. What begins as harmless fun can morph into assault charges or lifetime bans. Ask Clayton, Kerr and others who became drunken disruptors if that mini bottle was worth it.

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - What Would Your Mother Say?

Mothers know best, so ponder this before your next flight - "What would mom say about my behavior?" Chances are, she'd remind you to be respectful, comply with instructions, and avoid confrontation. After all, moms worry! The last thing they want is a distressed call from jail or headlines blasting their child's bad behavior.

Eric, a real estate executive, found himself in just such a situation after ignoring flight attendant guidance on a recent trip. "I had too much to drink at the airport bar and carried my beer onboard," he admits. "When they insisted I finish it before takeoff, I mouthed off. I called her names I would never use in front of my mother."

In hindsight, he deeply regrets his actions, saying his mom raised him better. "She didn't tolerate that kind of conduct from me growing up. I think about what she would've said had she witnessed how rude I behaved." No doubt, she would have reminded him that flight crews deserve basic human decency, regardless of circumstance or mood.
Professional pilot Carla beams when discussing her grown children's conduct on planes. "I raised them to be respectful and helpful. I'd be so disappointed if they acted aggressive or entitled towards airline staff while flying." She hopes instilling timeless values around courtesy and humility will prevent childish meltdowns at 30,000 feet.
Of course, moms worry about more than manners. Terry's mother pleaded that he follow all instructions after a deadly 2020 flight incident. "With recent turbulence events causing injuries, she urged me to keep my seatbelt fastened and stay seated," he explains. "She'd have a fit if she knew I ever disregarded rules or caused disruptions."

Terry finds it helps ease his mom's anxiety by sending a quick text after safe landings. It also reminds him of his responsibility as her child to avoid risky behaviors in-flight. "Knowing she worries keeps me accountable. It helps curb any impulse I might have to disregard guidance from the cabin crew."

And what parent wants heart-stopping headlines about their child diverting a Honolulu-bound plane or attacking crew? June, a marketing director and mother of three, acknowledges this parental fear. "Seeing incidents of air rage on the news is my worst nightmare as a mom. I'd be horrified if my kids ever wound up in a viral video or on the No-Fly list."

She reminds her teens to follow instructions, be patient, and stay in their seats when traveling alone. "I teach them these aren't merely rules - they are about protecting everyone's safety, including their own." She hopes instilling a reverence for consequence will make them think twice before disobeying 31,000 feet in the air.

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Follow Instructions for Take Off and Landing

The most critical moments of any flight are takeoff and landing. As the saying goes, "Altitude can be fixed. Airspeed and attitude cannot." At cruising elevation, the plane has options should emergencies arise. But during ascent and descent, crews have mere seconds to take decisive action if safety is compromised. This is precisely why obeying all attendant guidance - especially at these vulnerable times - is imperative.
When flight staff bark at you to close laptops, disable cellular, and put up tray tables, it's easy to grumble and ignore them. But visibility and mobility are severely hampered should immediate evacuation become necessary after takeoff or before landing. Flight attendants have approximately 90 seconds to evacuate in the event of an emergency landing. Obstructing aisles with bags or failing to put seats upright creates obstacles that cost precious time and lives.

Don't believe it's that serious? Just ask survivors of the award-winning Miracle on the Hudson landing. Only because all passengers complied with pre-landing orders were 154 souls saved that fateful day. With just minutes until impact, attendants barked commands: "Brace! Brace! Heads down! Stay down!" Recalls passenger Fred Berretta, "It felt like being in a car accident. Had we not assumed the brace position, there would have been more injuries."

Compliance isn't just about equipment stowage and brace positions. Attitudes and behaviors also matter hugely. Flight attendant Allison Slater recounts a terrifying near-collision at 10,000 feet caused by passenger disregard for orders. "Ascending through clouds, our aircraft abruptly pitched into a dive to avoid collision. Unsecured items flew about as oxygen masks dropped." Yet rather than aiding frightened flyers, Slater had to confront an irate traveler upset over spilt champagne. "Had he complied with instructions instead of walking around cabins, he could've prevented the accident and focused on safety."

It's an extreme example, but illustrates how even minor deviations can prove dangerous. Your crew aren't just being persnickety - they intimately understand the grave risks of disregarding protocols. Next time you roll your eyes at orders to disable electronics, remember that many lives hang in the balance at takeoff and landing. As passenger Berretta learned during his near-crash, compliance can mean the difference between minor injuries and fatalities when seconds count most.

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - We All Just Want a Peaceful Flight

Mark, a frequent business traveler, remembers one painful flight ruined by a boisterous passenger. "He was loud and aggressive from takeoff, despite many glares," he recalls. "I tried tuning him out with headphones but the tension in the cabin was palpable." Rather than relaxing with music or movies, Mark spent the hours tense and anxious, as did other nearby flyers uneasy around the disruptive character.

The same goes for leisure travelers seeking restful trips. Terry dreaded telling her vacationing sister about the out-of-control bachelor party surrounding them on a recent flight. "I didn't have the heart to tell her I spent the 6-hour journey unable to nap while the drunk guys behind us screamed and vaped in bathrooms." The chaos torpedoed her chance to start her holiday feeling refreshed.
Parents want peaceful flights too - disruptions make soothing upset children near impossible. Nina cringed recalling her toddler's terrified cries during an incident involving an intoxicated, combative passenger. "Between his outbursts and all the commotion, I couldn't console my little girl. She was hysterical for hours." The family's vacation began on an unsettling note, all thanks to one belligerent flyer's conduct.

Even crew yearn for harmonious flights. Flight attendant Carla admits managing difficult flyers leaves her exhausted afterwards. "I just want things to run smoothly and passengers to get along. But lately, each flight involves anxiety and confrontation." She didn't sign up for bullhorn duty - just ensuring . "I miss the days when I felt respected and my sole focus was service, not policing grown adults."

Of course aircraft and attendants can withstand occasional grumbles and griping - that's part of the job. But continual contention creates an oppressive environment for all. Why knowingly inflict that on fellow passengers eager to start vacations, reunite with loved ones, or just get home after long weeks away? Having the plane divert and land prematurely because of your behavior robs everyone of time, money and serenity.

Unruly Passengers Beware: Why You Should Listen to Flight Attendants - Make Flying Fun Again

For many veteran travelers, the glamour and adventure of flying has faded over time. In between snaking TSA lines, cramped seats, and extra fees piled atop already-lofty fares, air travel has lost much of its magic. Flight attendant Carla reminisces about the exclusive ambiance flying possessed in past eras. “It was an event you dressed up for. The whole experience was special - gourmet meals, pampering service, even free cocktails. People looked forward to getting on planes.”

But today, factors like crowded jets, barebones amenities, and shrinking seats make journeying by air an endurance test for both crew and passengers. Flight attendant Slater admits the grind is draining the joy from her job. “It feels like we’re policing crowded subways more than providing luxe service people appreciate.” She is counting down the days until retirement.
Many frequent business travelers feel similarly. Mark describes his airport routine as “survival mode” between invasive security, constant construction, and intense crowds. “I used to get excited for far-flung trips. Now I see flying as a hassle to endure between point A and B for work.” He longs for a reprieve from the headaches of modern-day air travel.
The packed planes don’t help the atmosphere. Terry barely survived a recent coast-to-coast journey flanked on both sides by see-sawing elbows. “For six hours I sat hyperalert trying not to get struck. How can anyone relax amidst constant jostling?” While airlines once spaced seating generously, today’s sardine-can configs leave passengers tense and touchy.
So how do we return civility and enjoyment to the skies? For starters, enhancing onboard comfort would help immensely. Nina thinks a return to spacious seating could create calmer cabins. “With reasonable legroom and privacy, people are less irritable.” Flight attendant Allison agrees: “well-rested travelers make for happy travelers.”

Simplifying fees and restrictions could also ease frustrations. Eric fumes over opaque airline policies meant to nickel-and-dime. “Is it too much to ask for straightforward rules on bags, boarding, seat assignments? The games for extra fees are absurd.” Traveler June simply wants transparency around what is included in her ticket price: “the upcharges and surprises are out of control."

But passengers hold responsibility too. Small courtesies go a long way in cramped quarters. Letting rows deplane first, respecting armrests, and packing smartly helps foster community spirit, according to pilot Carla. “It’s the Golden Rule - treat others how you want to be treated. That sets a positive tone for the trip.” Flight crews and gate agents have no stake in your travel tribulations. Extending them grace under pressure could be the first step to reclaiming the magic.