I’m happy to report that during my recent flight to Miami, I was a true peach. I said my “pleases” and “thank yous,” but kept a watchful eye on any potential disruptors for a juicy news story. And… nothing to report. There was a community college baseball team on board with us, and I thought for sure they would wreak havoc. Nope. They were total gentlemen. Dang it! Oh well, maybe my upcoming flight from NYC will result in some drama. Until then, since the skies were quiet, let’s talk about what happens when they aren’t.

ZEN…all the way. 3 essential rules to keeping your cool.

We’ve all been there. Last minute packing, a pre-flight adult beverage, taking that little pill you found on the ground and shrugging, ok maybe not that last one but you get the picture. Stress is all around us like someone’s mysterious toot in a crowded elevator. Here are some helpful tips to keep cucumber cool as you make your way through your next flight.

Control the Controllables: You can’t control a two-hour maintenance delay, but you can control your blood sugar. Pack the snacks. Charge the noise-canceling headphones. Give yourself an extra hour at the airport so you aren’t sprinting through the terminal like a sweaty extra in a disaster movie.

The “Empathy First” Mental Trick: When things go sideways, remember that the gate agent or flight attendant didn’t personally single you out. They want to get home just as badly as you do. Take a breath, smile, and treat them like a teammate, not an adversary. Like your Meemaw says: you get more honey with sugar than with vinegar. I hope she was talking about being polite. (Plus polite passengers get rebooked way faster than screaming ones).

Watch the Pre-Flight Liquid Courage: A stiff drink at the airport bar can take the edge off, but flying dehydrates you quickly, amplifying the effects of alcohol. That third pre-flight IPA might feel like a good idea at the gate, but at 35,000 feet, it’s a fast track to cabin fever and a very public meltdown.

If someone needs to be tackled on the plane, let your Zen continue to flow.

If you were ex-Green Beret, ok go for the takedown. Otherwise:

Don’t engage: Let the trained crew handle it. Intervening can sometimes escalate the situation.

Document safely: If you must film, do it discreetly without getting in the way of the flight crew. (Evil grin 😈 – hey we need content.)

Follow crew instructions immediately: If they ask you to move seats or assist, do so calmly.

As simple as that. If your flight is diverted, remain calm. Hopefully you purchased good travel insurance to help with any missed travel plans.

The battle for “Net-Zero” disruptions.

Between the governments and airlines around the world, there is a massive push to hit a different kind of goal: zero BS on flights. Because let’s face it, keeping air travel smooth isn’t just about fuel efficiency anymore; it’s about preventing the cabin from turning into a reality TV reunion episode.

If you think you can just throw a tantrum and get away with a slap on the wrist, the industry is working hard to prove you wrong:

• The FAA’s Permanent Zero-Tolerance Policy: Gone are the days of friendly warning letters. The Federal Aviation Administration made its strict zero-tolerance stance permanent. If you act up, they bypass warnings entirely and head straight for civil penalties. They can propose fines up to $43,658 per violation—and yes, one bad flight can rack up multiple violations.
  
• Say Goodbye to TSA PreCheck: Think a hefty fine is the only consequence? Think again. The TSA collaborates directly with aviation authorities to strip disruptive passengers of their TSA PreCheck privileges. Enjoy the regular security line with no shoes on, pal.
  
• Internal Airline Ban Hammers: While a centralized, government-mandated “unruly passenger list” shared by all carriers has faced legal hurdles, individual airlines are aggressively expanding their own internal “No-Fly” lists. If you cause a scene on one carrier, you can expect to be permanently barred from ever booking a ticket with them again.

The message from the top is clear: behave yourself, or you’ll be taking a ton of transatlantic cruises to get your butt to your destinations.

Finally: Heroes of the skies – The Real MVPs

While the headlines are usually dominated by the people losing their S, let’s close this out by celebrating the absolute legends who stepped up when things went bonkers. When the seatbelt sign is on and chaos strikes, these everyday heroes prove that not all capes are worn—some are buckled into first class or flying coach.

• The First-Class “Shero”: Nicole Pruitt: On a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Tucson, a passenger completely snapped, besting the flight attendants and attempting to storm the cockpit while shouting that she wanted off the plane. While a cabin full of people froze, first-class passenger Nicole Pruitt calmly took off her headphones, placed them in her seat pocket, told her seatmate, “Excuse me, I’m gonna go beat her ass right now,” and jumped into action. She successfully subdued the passenger in the aisle until the flight could safely divert, earning herself legendary status online.
  
• The Invisible Shield: United Flight 2005: Just this past weekend, a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis had to pull a sudden midair U-turn and divert to Wisconsin. Why? A deeply confused passenger made “multiple attempts to try to breach the cockpit” after takeoff. Luckily for everyone on board, a group of plainclothes law enforcement officers happened to be traveling as passengers on that exact flight. They immediately sprang up, pinned the man, and flanked him in a row until the FBI and local police could board and handcuff him.

As you stroll through Terminal B

We know that flying can be stressful, cramped, and downright exhausting. But next time you feel your blood starting to boil because the guy in 14B is chewing too loudly, just remember: breathe, take a page out of Meemaw’s playbook, and don’t make yourself the main character of a 10MTN article. Because we have zero shame and love to tattle.

Safe travels, everyone. See you at the baggage claim!

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Travel rules, FAA fines, and airline policies can change faster than a weather delay at O’Hare. Always check with your specific airline and the FAA for the most up-to-date regulations before you fly. And behave!

Reading this article helps 10MTN in more ways than you know so we thank you for that. Please share with your airplane seatmate, the pilot (only when they’re not flying please), and your fantastic flight attendants. They deserve good laughs too.

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