Ensuring a Safe Flight: Drug and Alcohol Awareness in Aviation

Air travel should be a safe and pleasant experience for everyone involved, from passengers to crew members. However, the increasing number of unruly passengers poses a significant threat to this ideal. At SecuriCare, we specialise in aviation training for flight crews to handle disruptive behaviours, and we believe raising awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol consumption on flights is crucial. The #notonmyflight campaign, initiated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), aims to stamp out unruly passenger behaviour and ensure a safe environment for all.

Understanding Unruly Passenger Behaviour

According to EASA, unruly passengers threaten the safety of both crew and passengers. Unruly behaviour includes:

• Excessive drinking during or before the flight

• Use of drugs or mixing them with alcohol during or before the flight

• Non-compliance with crew instructions

• Verbal or physical violence

• Distracting the cabin crew from their duties

These behaviours introduce unnecessary risks to the normal operation of a flight, potentially leading to severe consequences.

The Effects of Drug and Alcohol on Flight Safety

1. Impairment of Judgment and Coordination

Intoxicated individuals often experience impaired judgement and coordination. This impairment means they are less likely to follow safety instructions, which is critical in emergency situations. A person under the influence may not understand the gravity of an emergency or know how to operate safety equipment.

2. Aggression and Violence

Alcohol and drugs can trigger aggressive behaviour, creating a hostile environment onboard. Such aggression not only distracts the crew from their duties but also endangers other passengers. Physical violence can result in injuries and traumatic experiences, reducing the crew's ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

3. Increased Risk of In-Flight Emergencies

The combination of drugs and alcohol can amplify their effects, leading to unpredictable behaviour. This unpredictability increases the likelihood of in-flight emergencies, diverting the crew's attention from critical operational tasks. An injured or incapacitated crew member can severely compromise the safety and efficiency of the flight response.

4. Medical Emergencies

In addition to behavioural issues, passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are at risk of medical emergencies such as overdose or alcohol poisoning. Such situations can escalate rapidly, requiring immediate medical intervention. Symptoms of overdose or poisoning include:

• Severe confusion or unresponsiveness

• Difficulty breathing

• Seizures

• Vomiting

• Slow or irregular heartbeat

These medical emergencies can be life-threatening and place additional strain on the flight crew, who must manage the situation with limited medical resources while maintaining overall flight safety.

The #notonmyflight Campaign

Recognising the significant impact of unruly passengers, the #notonmyflight campaign by EASA aims to raise awareness and take a stand against such behaviour. Even though the number of unruly passengers is relatively small, their actions can disproportionately affect flight operations and safety.

Key Objectives of #notonmyflight:

• Education: Inform passengers about the consequences of excessive drinking and drug use before or during a flight.

• Prevention: Encourage responsible behaviour and compliance with crew instructions.

• Support: Empower crew members with the training and tools necessary to handle disruptive passengers effectively.

SecuriCare: World Leaders in Preventing and Managing Disruptive Passenger Behaviour

SecuriCare has been a world leader in the prevention and management of disruptive passenger behaviour training since 1996. Our training programmes and restraint systems are used by thousands of cabin crew worldwide, including many of the world’s best-known airlines. Our methods and skills have been successfully employed by crew in thousands of real-life situations.

Our training programme includes:

• National and International Law and Air Navigation Orders: Understanding crew’s powers and obligations under these laws.

• Hierarchy of Threat Levels and Appropriate Responses: Training to recognise and respond appropriately to varying levels of threat.

• Police Protocols: Coordination with law enforcement.

• Early Intervention: Conflict management and de-escalation techniques.

• Team Management: Operating as a team to handle physically challenging behaviours.

• Restraint Techniques: Safe restraint of a violent passenger.

• SecuriCare Disruptive Passenger Restraint System: Application of our specialised restraint system.

• Post-Incident Management: Handling the aftermath of an incident.

SecuriCare Airline Seat Restraint System

Developed and introduced in the 1990s, the SecuriCare Airline Seat Restraint (ASR) provides a safe alternative to diverting the aircraft. Securely restraining a violent passenger to an aircraft seat prevents further physical threats until the passenger can be handed over to the authorities upon landing.

Become a SecuriCare Licensed Trainer

The SecuriCare Licensed Trainer Programme equips you with the knowledge, skills, and resources to provide in-house training to crew members. This comprehensive programme includes all core learning outcomes of the SecuriCare Training Programme, along with practical training in restraint and ASR application.

Joining Forces for a Safe Journey

Every passenger and cabin crew member deserves a safe flight, free from violence and disruptive behaviours, including incidents fuelled by drugs and alcohol. At SecuriCare, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive training to flight crews, ensuring they are well-equipped to manage and mitigate the risks posed by unruly passengers.

Together, we can create a safer flying environment. Support the #notonmyflight campaign and help stamp out unruly passenger behaviour. By partnering with SecuriCare, we can ensure that air travel remains a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.