During this last year, in the UK, it has been very much in the newspaper headlines. In October 1998 a particularly vicious attack on a stewardess in Malaga prompted a storm of indignation and was a powerful catalyst for industry action and positive government engagement with the problem. However, the problem is much wider and deeper. It is disorderly conduct, of any sort, which jeopardises the safe and orderly operation of the aircraft or the well being of any of the occupants and their property. It does not have to be immediately violent, but it does have to be disruptive, threatening, or an offence.
Aircraft are vulnerable to fire, power loss, technical defects and environmental extremes.
For this reason the aviation industry operates within a system of positive safety pressure. Everybody involved with the operation of an aircraft is consciously and positively applying that pressure through high levels of training, discipline, monitoring, care and attention to detail. Cabin safety, in particular, requires rehearsed operational and evacuation procedures, as well as continuous control and monitoring, not only of the overall equipment and environment, but also of passengers who may need special attention or protection during the flight. In a large aeroplane there are often many such passengers. Normal cabin service involves trolleys, sharp objects and hot liquids.