Transportation Department urges “dressing with respect” on flights. Will it improve air travel? – CBS News

U.S. Department of Transportation Initiative to Enhance Air Travel Civility and Align with Sustainable Development Goals

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched a new campaign, “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You,” aimed at improving passenger conduct during air travel. This initiative is a direct response to a significant increase in unruly passenger incidents, which have remained at nearly double their pre-pandemic levels. The campaign’s objectives align with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning public well-being, decent work, and peaceful societies.

Alignment with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The campaign represents an institutional effort to mitigate conflict and promote a more peaceful and inclusive environment within the confines of air travel. By encouraging a nationwide conversation on courtesy, the Department of Transportation is working to strengthen social norms and reduce altercations, directly contributing to the principles of SDG 16.

Supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

A primary driver for the campaign is the safety and well-being of airline staff. The rise in passenger incivility has created a challenging work environment for flight attendants and other airline personnel. By fostering a culture of respect, the initiative aims to ensure safer and more decent working conditions, a core target of SDG 8.

Core Components of the Civility Campaign

The campaign encourages travelers to adopt a more courteous and respectful demeanor. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has outlined five key questions for passengers to consider as a framework for civil behavior.

Behavioral Recommendations for Passengers

• Are you helping a pregnant woman or the elderly with placing their bags in the overhead bin?
• Are you dressing with respect?
• Are you keeping control of your children and helping them through the airport?
• Are you saying thank you to your flight attendants?
• Are you saying please and thank you in general?

These guidelines are intended to foster a sense of community and mutual respect, which supports the creation of safe and sustainable transport systems as envisioned in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Expert Analysis and Socioeconomic Context

Travel industry experts have expressed skepticism regarding the campaign’s potential for tangible impact, particularly its focus on attire. This critique highlights a tension between the campaign’s nostalgic vision and the realities of modern, democratized air travel.

Challenges to Implementation and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Experts note that the modern air travel experience, characterized by cramped seating, delays, and crowded airports, is a significant source of stress. These conditions, which negatively impact passenger well-being (SDG 3), lead travelers to prioritize comfort over formal dress. Critics argue that without addressing these systemic stressors, a campaign focused on etiquette is unlikely to succeed.

Democratization of Travel and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A significant point of analysis is the evolution of air travel from an elite luxury to a more accessible mode of transport. This democratization is a positive development in the context of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as it allows people from all socioeconomic backgrounds to travel. However, experts suggest the campaign’s call to “dress up” harks back to an era when flying was exclusive to the wealthy, potentially clashing with the modern, inclusive nature of air travel. The focus on attire is seen by some as unenforceable and out of touch with the diverse population of current travelers.

Conclusion: A Broader Perspective on Sustainable Air Travel

While the Department of Transportation’s initiative is a well-intentioned effort to address passenger behavior, its effectiveness is questioned. The root causes of incivility are complex and linked to broader challenges that impact the sustainability of the air travel ecosystem.

Underlying Factors Impacting SDGs

The rise in unruly behavior is attributed to several factors that compromise the goals of sustainable development:

1. Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Stress, mental health issues, and alcohol consumption are cited as major contributors to passenger incidents.
2. Decent Work (SDG 8): Crowded conditions and flight delays create a high-stress environment for both passengers and crew.
3. Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): While travel is more accessible, the quality of the experience, particularly in economy class, has degraded, disproportionately affecting those with fewer resources.

Ultimately, experts suggest that achieving a more civil and sustainable travel environment requires addressing systemic issues such as aircraft seating density and airport infrastructure, rather than focusing solely on passenger etiquette and dress codes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article connects the rise in unruly passenger incidents to “alcohol, drugs and mental health issues, as well as stress from dealing with crowded airports.” This directly relates to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The campaign is a response to a rise in incidents that include “altercations with other travelers and airline staff.” This issue impacts the working conditions of flight attendants and other airline employees, connecting to the goal of promoting safe and secure working environments.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The article discusses how air travel has become more accessible and “democratized” compared to the “golden age” when it was “largely limited to the wealthy.” It notes that today, “people from all walks of life” can travel by air, which relates to the goal of reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • This goal includes providing access to safe and accessible transport systems. The article’s focus on unruly passengers, safety concerns, stress, and crowded conditions (“cramped economy seats”) directly pertains to the quality and safety of air transport systems.

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The core issue of the article is the “record rise in unruly passenger incidents, including altercations.” This trend undermines a peaceful and safe environment, directly connecting to the goal of promoting peaceful societies and reducing all forms of violence.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

   • The article explicitly identifies “alcohol, drugs” as contributing factors to the rise in unruly passenger behavior, making this target relevant to addressing the root causes of the problem.

2. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

   • The increase in “altercations with… airline staff” highlights a direct threat to the safety and security of the working environment for flight crews. The civility campaign, in part, aims to mitigate this threat.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all… irrespective of… economic or other status.

   • The article contrasts the past, when flying was “only for the elite,” with the present, where “flying is more affordable today” and has become a “democratized experience.” This reflects progress toward the social and economic inclusion mentioned in this target.

4. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

   • The discussion revolves around the safety and quality of the air travel experience. The rise in unruly incidents directly challenges the “safe” aspect of this transport system, while affordability is mentioned as a key change over the years.

5. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   • The “record rise in unruly passenger incidents, including altercations” is a form of violence and aggression. The campaign and the FAA’s tracking of these incidents are direct responses aimed at reducing this specific form of violence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 16.1: Number of unruly passenger incidents.

   • The article explicitly mentions a measurable indicator: “U.S. Federal Aviation Administration data showing that incidents with unruly passengers peaked in 2021, although reports remain roughly double their pre-pandemic level.” This data is a direct indicator of the level of violence and aggression in air travel.

2. Indicator for Target 8.8: Number of reported altercations involving airline staff.

   • The article implies this indicator by stating that unruly incidents include “altercations with… airline staff.” Tracking the frequency of these specific incidents would measure the safety of the working environment for airline employees.

3. Indicator for Target 10.2: Affordability of airfare and passenger demographics.

   • The article implies this through its discussion of how “flying is more affordable today” and that “people from all walks of life” are now traveling. Comparing airfare costs relative to income over time and analyzing passenger demographic data would serve as indicators for this target.

4. Indicator for Target 3.5: Number of incidents where substance use is a factor.

   • While not providing a specific number, the article implies this indicator by listing “alcohol, drugs” as causes of unruly behavior. Tracking the percentage of incidents where substance use is a confirmed factor would measure progress related to this target.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com