The conference generated much interest from the news media, ranging from industry publications to network television news crews. Tough prosecution and sentencing can be an effective deterrent. There is no single reason for disruptive behavior. Some contributing factors include alcohol, smoking bans, crowding, and lengthy flights. Flight attendants bear the brunt of disruptive passenger events, although often a pilot must be sent back to deal with it, further endangering safety.
Crew members can suffer severe injuries from the most violent offenders.
Airlines are developing training programs to deal with disruptive passengers, although not all carriers have responded with equal vigor to the problem. Airlines may want to consider limiting alcohol service. Pilots and flight attendants should be trained in confrontation management, which requires both psychological and, to a lesser extent, physical skills. U.S. federal statutes and regulations, plus the Tokyo Convention of 1963, make it illegal to interfere with aircraft crewmembers in performance of their duties. These laws must be enforced to the fullest extent.