Washington Examiner senior writer Joe Concha suggested that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy treat unruly air travelers the same way unruly sports fans are treated by banning them.
Duffy recommended on Monday that travelers act and dress respectfully while flying this holiday season. According to Duffy, a shift away from “slippers and pajamas” might prompt everyone to “behave a little better.”
“This is very much welcome by Secretary Sean Duffy. Civility has gone out the window,” Concha said Tuesday on Fox Business’s Evening Edit. “People are listening to movies without headphones, they treat the airline staff rudely, they’re getting hammered, they’re becoming belligerent, and don’t get me started on the whole pajama brigade that’s for sure.”
Concha also noted the increase in in-air altercations since 2019, which often go viral but result in few long-term consequences.
“Sean Duffy shared there’s a 400% increase in air rage on airlines. I mean, that’s insane,” Concha said. “I think zero tolerance is the answer. Start banning people from airlines the way a fan can be banned from a sporting event, and that’s where you’ll get the message going through.”
As a result, the Department of Transportation launched “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You” civility campaign this year.
DUFFY DISCOURAGES ‘SLIPPERS AND PAJAMAS’ AT AIRPORTS AS PART OF AIR CIVILITY EFFORT
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Last year, the Wednesday and Friday before the holiday saw more than 2.7 million passengers. Additionally, the Sunday following Thanksgiving last year set a record with more than 3 million passengers.
This Thursday is expected to be another record-breaking travel day despite the 43-day government shutdown, which prompted cancellations and delays of several thousand flights.
