Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

DOT Unveils 'Golden Age' Civility Push as Duffy Urges Travelers to Ditch Pajamas

The agency points to a yearslong surge in unruly incidents to justify etiquette reminders before a packed Thanksgiving.

Image
The Department of Transportation has introduced the "The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You" campaign. "It’s not your imagination. Traveling has become more uncivilized!" Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on social media. "It’s time to bring back civility and manners when we travel." (J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP FILE)
Image
Image

Overview

  • The Transportation Department launched a nonbinding civility campaign with a short PSA and a five-question checklist titled “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You.”
  • Officials cite FAA data showing a 400% rise in in‑flight outbursts since 2019 and 13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021, with 2023 logging nearly 2,000 cases.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pressed for courtesy such as helping with overhead bins, keeping children under control, thanking crews, and “dressing with some respect.”
  • Duffy told travelers to avoid slippers and pajamas at airports, framing attire as a behavioral nudge rather than a formal dress code.
  • The FAA projects the busiest Thanksgiving for U.S. air travel in 15 years and AAA estimates about 6 million fliers, while some travel experts call the clothing advice an unenforceable soft nudge and unions highlight worker safety concerns including reports of physical incidents against flight attendants in 2021.