As a result, the impaired passenger reacts abusively and sometimes aggressively to such refusals. As a result of this changing climate in the traveling public, and recognizing the need for guidance for the airlines on how to respond to these incidents, the FAA in 1996, issued an Advisory Circular for all air carriers. The FAA recommended that the airlines instruct their crew members to report cases of passenger misconduct, without fear of company reprisal. Additionally, preventive measures should be taught to crew members on how best to defuse a potentially volatile situation, and how to respond if conflict does ensue. They want to focus air carrier employer attention on the problem.
Plastic handcuffs are now part of the cockpit equipment.
One flight attendant filed a civil tort suit against a passenger for civil assault, seeking monetary damages for the harmful or offensive touching arising out of an in-flight incident with an evangelical preacher. On a positive note, many of the legal actions that have ensued as a result, have made some of these unruly customers accountable for their actions. Gary Lee Loungee was sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge to fifty-two months in prison and 200 hours of community service for his drunken episode on board the US Air flight, when he threw the flight attendant against the cockpit door. Besides court imposed sentences, fines, and civil penalties under the FAA, some airlines are using their own methods of sanctioning passenger misconduct. Northwest has banned the man that assaulted their pilot at the ticket counter in Detroit.