Letter: Basic rules could end ‘air rage’

Sunday, July 11, 1999 | 9:23 a.m.

I wholeheartedly agree that the attitude of the American public has degraded to a point that life itself has little value, let alone courtesy and compassion. The blame for "air rage" must be shared by the airline, the manufacturer and the perpetrator.

First, most of the planes are overbooked and the seating arrangement is inhumane. The manufacturer should not allow the amount of seats that are squeezed into its airplanes.

Second, the passengers are not educated properly on the proper etiquette of flying. The airline should publish the fact that they will not tolerate any abuse to their personnel and that their flight attendants will be given the necessary time off needed to pursue the court proceedings and properly punish the offender.

Next institute a dress code; men and boys are to wear slacks and a buttoned shirt and the ladies may wear a dress, skirt and blouse or a pantsuit. Lastly there will be no carry-on luggage, only purses and briefcases (laptops are acceptable). And no children younger than 15.

This would be a bare-bones flight; nonalcoholic drinks would be served only by request along with a light snack as some of the airlines are doing now.

The flight attendants are positioned on board the plane to see to your safety in case of an emergency and to see to the proper use of the aircraft -- they are not waitresses, maids, or valets.

ALBERT J. PELLESCHI

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