You make a valid point. I've worked some of those jobs you mentioned and have seen my share of violence in the workplace and unsafe working conditions.

You're right again, there has been a push during the last few decades against labor. Probably in large part sue to law suits.

Still, that's all the more reason to push back with lawsuits on behalf of labor. Laws protecting against this kind of thing, and protecting jobs and retribution against employees who are assaulted on the job.

It's time. It's past time. When I was sexually harassed as a waitress I handled it. Sure, my manager tried to reprimand me and told me not to do it again but I told her no way. If he did it again he would get worse until he learned to keep his paws to himself and keep his dick in his pants. She could fire me if she wanted but there would be a lawsuit the next day if she did. I drafted a letter to corporate and cc'd her a copy.

Not another word was said.

Fear of lawsuits works both ways.

The trouble is, employees don't know their rights. They don't know how to document and collect evidence. They don't know what agencies to go to when something occurs. They don't act against this kind of corporate and public aggression.

People need to educate themselves.

Back to the airplane ... I'd definitely push back. There's no backup to be had, you can't leave him alone the rest of the flight, he could have killed somebody or (unlikely, but slightly possible) maybe even brought down the plane. It had to be handled. Acting as they did protected themselves, sure, but it also protected the other passengers, the physical company goods (the airplane) and the airline itself.