Today’s air travel is hectic enough without crazy antics by passengers making it worse for other flyers. It seems to be in the news all the time. Recently, a woman passenger ran up and down the aisles threatening to kill everyone. Another happened when an already soused passenger got violent when the attendant refused to give him a drink.

Statistics indicate the situation is reaching shocking levels as air travel gets more and more stressful. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports a 50% rise this year for bad in-flight actions, including verbal abuse, sudden anger and actual injury-threatening scenarios. What can you do in such tense in-flight moments? First, especially if you’re well into your senior years, don’t get physically involved. If you believe there’s any potential of oncoming violence or other trouble, call the flight attendant as soon as possible. Even if it turns out you’re mistaken, it’s better to be embarrassed than caught in the middle of a brawl.

If trouble does break out close to you, get away from your seat as quickly as possible. The old saying … you’re not as young as you used to be … applies to ability to defend yourself or stop a nearby fight.