FAA warns fliers of air rage penalties

By Thurston Hatcher
CNN

(CNN) -- If you're not sure what air rage is all about, the government and at least one airline would like to remind you.

The Federal Aviation Administration has published a leaflet underscoring that it won't put up with unruly behavior on airplanes.

"It's important just to get the message out there that we can't tolerate air rage," FAA spokeswoman Marcia Adams said.

United Airlines has agreed to distribute the leaflet in ticket jackets at its hub locations in Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Washington; and Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.

"Our company has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to disruptive passenger behavior," United spokeswoman Whitney Staley said.

MORE STORIES Senator proposes two-drink limit on planes   Flight attendants urge action against air rage     EXTRA INFORMATION Read the FAA leaflets in PDF format     RESOURCES Sound Off: Should there be a drink limit on planes?

The FAA also has made the leaflets available to other major airlines, Adams said.

The leaflet warns passengers that it's illegal to assault, threaten, intimidate or interfere with crewmembers on an aircraft, and that doing so could result in criminal prosecution. People who assault or threaten to assault the crewmembers also may face civil fines of up to $25,000.

Air rage concerns rise

The FAA effort comes amid heightened concern from some airline workers and passengers over air rage incidents.

In one incident earlier this year, a United Airlines flight from California to China was diverted to Alaska when twin sisters were accused of interfering with the crew. One was accused of choking a flight attendant and the other was accused of hitting two flight attendants and the plane's captain.

In 1999, a passenger had to be subdued by several other fliers after he leapt out of his seat and grabbed a U.S. Airways flight attendant by the neck.

The FAA listed 306 reported incidents involving unruly passengers in 1999 and 314 incidents in 2000, up from 146 in 1995. There have been 100 reported incidents so far this year.

The Association of Flight attendants last month urged the government and airlines to do more to combat unruly behavior. And U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California is urging airlines to impose alcoholic drink limits on passengers to help reduce air rage incidents. If they don't voluntarily impose them, she has threatened to pursue legislation for a mandatory two-drink limit.

The leaflet encourages passengers to report safety concerns to the flight crew or gate agent or call the aviation safety hot line at (800) 255-1111.