- One of the most obvious misnomers in the modern world is the way people have no patience or inclination to exercise restraint and/or control when things appear to go haywire, owing to increasingly frustrating traffic jams witnessed in every metro city. Since the mobility option for humanity has undergone a sea change with innumerable four-wheelers/two-wheelers available to choose from, our reliance on private transport has increased manifold. Unfortunately, the mobility factor for easy transportation/commuting is a humongous challenge for any government across the world, with the public sector typically failing to live up to expectations despite efforts. Creaking basic infrastructure, like the absence of proper commutable roads, adds to the misery.
PC: Aviation Metric
- The resultant outcome is the increasingly aggressive and intolerant behaviour seen among the harried commuters exploding at the drop of a hat, or is it a break applied yet again? Thus, the incidents of road rage are on the rise. What about the air rage that is also becoming a regular occurrence in India as well? Mind you, when road rage becomes air rage, it’s a whole lot more dangerous. Every incident must be dealt with firmly to set a deterrence for future occurrences. As you know, commercial planes commonly have a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Loss of temper at that height can set off domino effects unimaginable on the road or in a train. That is what a flight crew has on their mind when they work to calm any passenger who loses their wits.
PC: Times Aerospace
- As reported recently, the incident on the IndiGo Mumbai-Kolkata flight last week, where a passenger slapped another passenger, must be understood in this context. What the SpiceJet crew suffered at the Srinagar airport a week ago, on the other hand, alarmingly underlines that not all passengers walk into planes in a civilized frame of mind in the first place. With SpiceJet ground crew suffering a spinal fracture and injuries to the jaw, an army officer has been charged with murderous assault. The flashpoint was his cabin baggage exceeding the set weight limit. On flights themselves, there are abundant triggers. Someone leaning their seat back into your knees, not getting the meal of your choice, someone’s baby being grumpy for loud, long stretches.
PC: Condé Nast Traveller India
- And being zen-like through it all isn’t easy either. But anything else could be, literally, deadly. One slap retaliation, others jumping into the fray, it could all go out of control so easily. And a plane full of lives would be endangered. Undoubtedly, air travel is stressful. But that’s no excuse at all for breaking the peace. Note that in 2023, the number of unruly passengers put on no-fly lists increased by 78% to 108. Again, this date must be understood in the context of a very small minority of passengers being able to cause mass hurt. So, while many road rage cases go unreported, every air rage case must be filed with the police. Not just the ones that cause injuries or go viral. The civil aviation ministry and the law enforcement agencies should note this factor.
