Reports of ‘unruly passengers’ drop

Reports of ‘unruly passengers’ drop

The number of airline passengers who are reported for disrupting commercial flights has been dropping for several years.

But the decline may have more to do with an unexpected side benefit of social media than any improvement in fliers’ manners.

In 2015, the incidents of “unruly passengers” reported to the Federal Aviation Administration fell to 82, from 145 in 2014, a 43 percent drop.

Federal law says passengers cannot “assault, threaten, intimidate or interfere with a crew member in the performance of the crew member’s duties aboard an aircraft being operated.” Airlines have the discretion to report the “unruly passenger” to the FAA.

Industry experts say the decline doesn’t mean that passengers are behaving better.

Instead, they say, flight attendants are trying harder to avoid confrontations with fliers who are now quick to post their airline complaints on social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

Lottery open for private river trips

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz.

The highly competitive lottery for self-guided rafting trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is open.

Anyone 18 or older can apply for the trips with specific launch dates in 2017. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 24.

The National Park Service says 472 permits are available for the 12- to 25-day trips. Technical whitewater experience is mandatory.

Family boarding

NEW YORK

United Airlines is trying to bring back a bit of the friendly skies, allowing families with young children to board early. The move, which takes effect Feb. 15., lets families with children age two and under get settled in their seats before the rush of other passengers.

Geography quiz

Q. To which state would you travel to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore?

A. Georgia. Located just north of the Florida border, Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. It’s necessary to take a ferry from St. Mary’s, Ga., to get to the seashore.

Combined dispatches