CBS News
Japanese airlines outline behaviors that might get you kicked off a plane
Two Japanese airlines have outlined exactly what kind of behavior won’t fly in the air — and could get passengers kicked off the plane, or prevent them from boarding.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have posted explicit policies around “customer harassment” on their websites in an effort to protect airline employees from being disrespected and even abused by customers. The new rules come in the wake of a wave of unruly passenger incidents both in Asia and the U.S.
Last June, a Japanese passenger on a China Airlines flight from Fukuoka to Taipei shouted at crew members for not speaking to her in her native language, the South China Morning Post reported. In the U.S., there have been 915 cases of unruly passengers, from Jan. 1, 2024 to June 9, 2024, including 106 cases of passenger disturbances due to intoxication, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
ANA, on its website, explains that it formulated the new customer harassment policy “in order to ensure that the human rights of employees and customers are mutually respected, and to create a safe and comfortable environment for all.”
The airline outlines three broad types of behavior it says constitutes harassment of airline workers, including:
- “Behavior that takes advantage of a superior position.”
- Any illegal activities, or unreasonable demands.
- Actions that harm the working environment of employees.
“We consider any behavior that meets these requirements mentioned above as customer harassment,” the airline states.
ANA also specifically lists nine types of actions that rise to the level of harassment, including hurling insults at airline staff and “acts of voyeurism.” The list is as follows:
- Verbal abuse, yelling, insults, discriminatory remarks, defamation.
- Threatening or intimidating behavior.
- Excessive demands.
- Physical violence, property damage or other aggressive behavior.
- Actions that disrupt business operations.
- Unauthorized access to workspaces.
- Deceptive behavior toward employees.
- Actions that damage the company’s or employee’s credibility.
- Acts of voyeurism, stalking, indecent behavior, obscene remarks or sexual harassment.
ANA said it based its definitions and examples of harassment on a manual issued by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, but added that behavior that rises to the level of customer harassment is not limited to these examples.
JAL Group’s policy on customer harassment is similar, stating that the airline “will not tolerate any verbal abuse, assault or nuisance, as we consider such behaviors to be harmful to our staff and will act accordingly to protect the safety of our employees.” Behavior JAL won’t tolerate from customers includes slander, unreasonable demands of staff, sexual harassment and more.
Customers who violate the policies may be refused boarding, among other disciplinary measures.
In the U.S., airlines are governed by the FAA’s zero-tolerance policy for misbehavior, implemented in January 2021 after a sharp uptick in bad behavior on airplanes.
Under the order, unruly passengers are fined of up to $37,000 per violation, versus receiving warnings and counseling.
How to be a good airline passenger
For fliers looking to be star passengers, the FAA has issued guidance. In a blog post, the aviation authority advises passengers to be courteous of others, respect crew members’ instructions, and if consuming alcohol, to do so in moderation.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
