Understanding the methods and reasons behind flight attendants restraining disruptive passengers

The resurgence of travel following lengthy lockdowns, along with changing safety and social distancing measures, has led to some unfortunate consequences.

Over 85% of U.S. flight attendants surveyed reported experiencing unruly passengers in the first seven months of 2021.

Additionally, nearly 20% of respondents indicated they faced physical violence on flights this year, according to a survey conducted by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), a prominent union for flight attendants.

Although flight attendants receive thorough training to deescalate conflicts in the confined space of an aircraft, there are rare instances where diplomacy fails. In such cases, they may have to physically restrain the passenger for the duration of the flight, ensuring the safety of the unruly individual, other passengers, and the crew. This action aims to prevent further disturbances and allow the flight to proceed safely.

You may have come across recent social media clips showcasing such incidents and the various restraint techniques employed by flight attendants, which can include cable ties, handcuffs, seatbelt extensions, and even duct tape.

Is there an optimal approach for managing these high-pressure situations?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) informed TPG that restraining a passenger is only considered a last resort after all other de-escalation attempts have been exhausted.

"Before restraining a passenger, cabin crew will always request permission from the Commander (Captain), who will authorize the action if they believe there is a risk to the flight's safety, the crew, or other individuals on board," stated Katherine Kaczynska, a spokesperson for IATA.

"There is no standardized restraint equipment within the industry; it is the airline's responsibility to decide what, if any, equipment to implement," she added.

The AFA also informed TPG that the restraint equipment used may vary from one airline to another.

A recent viral clip from a Frontier Airlines flight in the U.S. depicted flight attendants using duct tape to secure a particularly unruly passenger, even taping over their mouth. This incident has ignited a debate among both crew members and travelers regarding the appropriateness of such measures.

A flight attendant for Frontier shared with TPG that duct tape is typically the only restraint tool available on their flights and should only be employed as a last resort. Their training includes using an oxygen mask as a safety demonstration over the mouth to help calm the passenger. After watching the viral video, this flight attendant believes using duct tape was justified as an urgent response to the passenger's violent behavior, including spitting and biting crew members during the flight.

We also consulted with crew members from other airlines. A flight attendant from a major European airline confirmed to TPG that restraints are considered a last resort, emphasizing the crew's responsibility to care for all passengers, regardless of their disruptive behavior. This duty includes providing basic necessities like food and water based on the flight duration, though a restrained passenger will not be permitted to use the restroom under any circumstances. If they need to go, they must do so in their seat.

The airline for which this flight attendant works maintains onboard restraint kits specifically for such situations, which include handcuffs and wide straps, but not the cable ties or duct tape that you might have seen used by other carriers.

Their training emphasizes that a passenger's mouth and throat should never be covered, even in cases of verbal abuse.

If a fellow passenger makes you feel uncomfortable, you should alert a flight attendant as quickly and discreetly as possible. Remember, they are trained to handle these unusual and uncomfortable situations.

In the rare event that you find yourself seated next to a restrained passenger, it may become quite awkward both before and during the restraint. Flight attendants will attempt to reseat nearby passengers, although options may be limited on a full flight. It is more common for the unruly passenger to remain in their seat while others are moved, as attempting to relocate them in a confined space mid-flight could be dangerous if the situation has escalated to the point of needing restraints.

Flight attendants will keep the passenger restrained during landing, assuming it's safe to do so. They will also collect evidence for an incident report to be submitted to authorities after landing.

Upon landing, the unruly passenger is typically met by law enforcement and may face significant penalties for their disruptive and often dangerous actions, including hefty fines.