Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is addressing recent discomfort felt by workers in the industry, remarking on how “travel has become more brutal.” He highlighted a staggering 400% increase in in-flight verbal and physical abuse since 2019, along with 13,800 unruly passenger incidents reported since 2021. Last year, incidents of disorderly behavior doubled compared to 2019.
Duffy emphasized the importance of civil behavior among travelers as part of the Department of Transportation’s initiative to usher in a “Golden Age of Travel.” He launched a campaign aimed at encouraging a national conversation around restoring civility and dignity in air travel, noting that while he isn’t advocating for formal attire, he believes basic respect is essential. “I think a lot of factors contribute to the decline in politeness on planes,” he stated.
Long queues at airports and the cramped seating arrangements by airlines were mentioned as significant contributors to passenger frustrations. Advocates, like FlyersRights.org, have pointed out that airline seats have shrunk over the years, resulting in discomfort, especially since by 2022, nearly half of Americans may struggle to fit comfortably into their seats.
Duffy explained that airlines are focused on maximizing profit by selling more tickets, which, while making travel more affordable, also leads to feelings of being cramped and burdensome. “Airlines are piling people into planes,” he remarked, reflecting a broader concern among travelers.
In a dialogue with Blaze News, he questioned whether people are acting more rudely because they are treated poorly or if airline staff are forced into confrontational roles due to the behavior of passengers. He pointed out that during the pandemic, flight attendants had to take on the role of enforcers for mask mandates, which contributed to tension within flights.
Reported incidents of aggression include everything from assaults to inappropriate touching. Duffy believes that rudeness can manifest in various ways, such as passengers putting their shoes on the seat in front of them or playing loud movies without headphones. He called for travelers to embrace better behaviors, like dressing more respectfully and showing kindness.
To make travel less of a hassle, Duffy noted that the Transportation Security Administration anticipates screening around 2.48 million travelers daily, especially during holiday periods. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is projected to be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history.
“I really believe we can do better,” he concluded, urging travelers to strive for courtesy and respect during their journeys.
