DOT Urges ‘Civility’ in Air Travel: Is It Working?

Remember when flying felt like a special occasion? The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) certainly does. Just before the Thanksgiving travel rush, they launched a campaign called ‘The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You,’ urging passengers to bring back courtesy and class to the skies. But is placing the responsibility solely on travelers the right approach?

A Call for Courtesy and ‘The Golden Age’

The DOT’s campaign aims to spark a national conversation about restoring politeness and dignity to air travel. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy believes that fostering a more civil environment can help combat the stress and division many feel, fostering a sense of connection. He encourages travelers to consider simple questions before flying: Are you dressing respectfully? Are you saying please and thank you? Are you offering help to those in need, like pregnant women or the elderly? Are you thanking your flight attendants? “Manners don’t stop at the gate,” Duffy stated, invoking the mid-20th century ‘Golden Age of Travel’ as an ideal.

This ‘Golden Age’ conjures images of flowing cocktails, gourmet meals, spacious seating, and elegantly dressed passengers. The DOT highlights a stark contrast with today’s reality, noting a 400% increase in in-flight outbursts since 2019, with flight attendants experiencing physical incidents and thousands of unruly passenger reports since 2021.

Criticism and Counterarguments

However, the campaign hasn’t been without its critics. Some argue that placing the burden of improving the travel atmosphere primarily on passengers overlooks the role of airlines and airports. Critics suggest that corporations and transportation organizations should also take responsibility for enhancing the passenger experience, rather than solely relying on individual behavior changes.

Furthermore, the romanticized notion of the ‘Golden Age’ often omits the fact that air travel was significantly more expensive and less accessible back then. While modern air travel may lack some of the luxurious perks of the past, it is now safer, more affordable, and accessible to a much broader population. The DOT’s emphasis on dressing up for flights might also feel out of touch when passengers aren’t experiencing the same level of comfort and service that defined that earlier era.