DISPAX 2024, in Bangkok

Disclaimer:

This short article is a first quick summary of the DISPAX conference, 2024, that will be followed by a second one focussing on another perspective on the topics. So for all of the speakers not mentioned here... there is a reason for this ;).

A Conference in the Land of Smiles

This was a first one for me. Not only visiting Thailand, but also attending DISPAX. Being invited to speak at a conference by Philip Baum is special. Not only because he has the gift of bringing the most amazing people under one roof but also because he makes international networking among professional and likeminded people easy and fun.

Dispax 2024, held in Bangkok, was an interesting and inspiring experiences on many levels, involving all the senses. The venue, the food, and the event was truly fantastic (Gurbir Chacal).

As usual Philip started and ended the event by putting some controversial thoughts out, inviting an open an direct discussion among delegates, presenters, and speakers.

Two points he made were:

1. We do not need more data to show that the problem of unruly passengers is very real.
2. The focus of further efforts should be on delivering efficient, recurring, and professional training.

The moderators did individual introductions for each speaker, and sparked interest by informing about us about the details of their professional journey and intersting personal achievements (Alexandra James; Doug Melia; Terry Upsall).

We heard about how enforcing the law and persecuting individuals not following the rules before and during flights is a whole challenge it itself. The challenge is really balancing the rights of all involved. A standardization for communication along the lines of command and the lines of service might assist in that (Lita Lee). It would also support general proceedings of reporting and data collecting (Peter Nilsson; Magnus Brimar Magnusson, Alexandra James).

Speakers pointed out that the definition of unruly behavior cannot be used across the globe, as some actions might be considered more or less appropriate in different countries (Airada Bumroungruksa, or Bir). Cultural aspects of interaction do affect the perception of language, body language, and any part of the interaction between the crew and the passengers (Sandra Adiarte; Katherine Ng).

Enforcing the law on passengers not following the rules is a whole other challenge. We heard about cases about verbal, physical and sexual assault, and more about the possible impacts of intoxication (Aaron Le Bouttillier), mental health issues, and stress (Ken Cheung, Susanne Kahlich). Criminals stealing in organized groups, and synchronized actions are reported to follow a specific modus operandi is another current problem on the rise (Ng Sue Chin).

Bir made the point of saying: what is happening in the street is now happening on airports and inflight. I would add to that: what used to be happening behind closed doors, within the walls of homes, is now happening before or during flights. It appears to be the task of managing things within a macro culture, routed in the micro culture of individual lives (Magnus Brimar Magnusson). Individuals taking advantage of being aware of the limitations of how they can be persecuted gives way for all sorts of misconduct and forms of unruly behavior.

The flight companies are represented by the crew, and all things they represent, from the conduct to the uniform, reflects back on the experience the customers have. It can be the small things the quality of the fabric the uniform is made of, being allowed to ware pins representing groups of affiliation, countries or personal beliefs, to grooming of the hair or the kind of perfume worn (Juliana Oliveira; Lois Simpson; Philip Baum; Sandra Adiarte).

Several speakers shared video recordings (Philip Baum; Susanne Kahlich), and images (Airada Bumroungruksa; Ken Cheung; Lois Simpson), offering a deeper analysis of events represented which brings me the question: How is that actually possible, if this kind of filming is prohibited and how come we take it as a documentation of evidence without a blink, ignoring the possibilities of tampering with the video data. Looking at this from a forensic perspective this fact is really problematic.

Article by Sandra Adiarte 23rd of November 2024