In recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.

Screwit is an application available to flight attendants and provides convenient tips on how to handle disruptive passengers as well as various games to alleviate stress.

A Thomson spokeswoman said: "Upon landing in Bermuda, the three disruptive passengers were met by local airport officials and placed in their custody.

"I can't see that there will be a problem, unless there are any disruptive passengers," a spokesman said.

Keagle argued that while flight attendants like dealing with most passengers, a few disruptive passengers make the job difficult.

This is welcomed, but unfortunately the most common type of disruptive passenger - the drunk passenger - is not dealt with here.

The last two years, Mr. Sheffer has managed a Web site, www.skyrage.org, that assiduously archives news reports of violent or disruptive passengers worldwide.

With complaints by airlines about disruptive passengers on the rise, Government efforts to prosecute offenders are being expanded.

American Airlines workers caution disruptive passengers orally first, then in writing.

State police searched both planes and interviewed the disruptive passenger on the Boston flight.