Airline Passengers who Never Got Off the Ground

Hurray for AirTran Airways for putting a group of unruly teens in their place and teaching us all an important lesson when it comes to air safety.  In case you missed the story, let me fill you in on the  details.  A group of 101 teens and their 8 chaperons were kicked off a flight from New York to Atlanta because some of the students would not comply with the FAA policy that all cell phones must be "off " during take-off and landings.  The kids were from Yeshiva of Flatbush Academy in Brooklyn.  In addition to continuing to use their phones, some of the students refused to take their seats and buckle-up.  First the flight attendants and then the captain himself asked the students to comply.  When they refused, he ordered the plane back to the gate where the kids were removed from the plane.  Air Tran did rebook them on later flights but the group could not travel together and some kids had to travel to Atlanta through Milwaukee. 

I have experienced this issue from both sides.  I have travel by plane with a group of teens.   Two things I always stressed: Listen to and follow the instructions, and respect the other passengers.  I have never had a problem.  I have also been a passengers on planes where groups of teens were on board.  I don't recall ever being offend or bothered by their presence.  My only negative experience came with a group of adults who "partied to hardy."  A flight attendant threatened to have the captain contact the airport to have police waiting for our arrival.  At that point an air marshal, who just happened to be on the plane, flashed his badge and things calmed down in a hurry. 

There is more here than just a lesson to obey the FAA rules.  There is also the issue of respect for authority and being courteous to others.  Unfortunately some adults still struggle with the same issue.  Almost weekly there are news report of unruly passengers being removed from planes, but most of us have learned to comply,  When the order is given to "Turnoff all electronic devises and return seat backs  to the upright and locked position," we have learned to accede. 

I wish the same pattern existed on our highways.  Speed limit signs and double white lines seem to be irrelevant.  I don't think putting flight attendants behind the wheel of police cars is the solution.  The answer lies in the way we respect and treat the rules and those who are there to enforce them.  My guess what those students from Brooklyn really lacked was adults in their lives who modeled appropriate and respectful behavior.