5 TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID GERMS ON PLANES Although they are preparing themselves for a flu outbreak, airlines insist that it is still safe to fly. The airflow systems in planes are designed to help minimize risk because the air flows across the rows of seats instead of front to back. It is continually exchanged with a combination of fresh air and recirculated air that usually passes through a series of filters. "One of the most persistent myths is that everybody on the plane is breathing the same air and that germs just endlessly recirculate within the cabin. In fact, air on the airplane is probably cleaner than in most indoor spaces," said Katherine Andrus, assistant general counsel for the Air Transport Association. Here are five tips from ABC News chief medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson on how to cut down on exposure and help keep you healthy while traveling. - Bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes. - Bring your own pillow and blanket. - Bring along a face mask. - Drink bottled water. STRICTER PUNISHMENTS FOR PASSENGERS Laws prohibiting interference with flight crews and attendants on aircraft have been on the books for decades. But since the September 11, 2001, attacks, federal officials and airlines have clamped down on misconduct, imposing bigger fines and stricter punishments for passengers who behave badly. "Now people are more hyper-vigilant on what occurs on aircrafts," said Ron Koziol, assistant section chief for the FBI's violent crimes unit. The Federal Aviation Administration, which handles unruly incidents deemed to be civil violations, has reported more than 900 cases over the past five years. The FAA numbers don't reflect all the cases of inappropriate behavior, said Les Dorr, a spokesman for the agency. Crew members are used to experiencing the wrath of passengers who are frustrated by delays and missing baggage. Sometimes, these incidents aren't severe enough to be reported to government officials. Passengers who fail to comply with standard airline policies -- such as staying seated when the seat-belt sign is on or turning off electronics when the plane is landing -- also spark confrontation, airline attendants said. Tim Smith, an American Airlines spokesman, reported a slight decrease in the number of incidents of misconduct this year compared with last year. The number of unruly passenger incidents tracked by the FAA also has dipped since 2004. The punishment for unruly behavior can be severe. In addition to federal charges, fines and jail time, passengers who are prosecuted may be liable for paying to divert a flight to an unscheduled airport, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Depending on the offense, the unruly passenger may be banned from the airline permanently. Several airlines require their attendants to take courses on how to defuse confrontations and calm passengers who make belligerent threats. AIRLINE INDUSTRY PLANS TO HALVE CARBON EMISSIONS The global aviation industry has agreed to cut its net carbon emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050 under a plan to be set out on Tuesday by British Airways chief, Willie Walsh. Mr. Walsh, who will outline the initiative at Tuesday's United Nations forum on climate change in New York, said it was the "best option for the planet" and should be taken up at the December Copenhagen summit, where world leaders are due to come up with a new accord on limiting greenhouse gas emissions to replace the 1997 Kyoto agreement. Although airlines are estimated to account for only around three percent of greenhouse gases, the figure is expected to rise sharply in coming years unless measures are taken to address it. The UK government's committee on climate change, chaired by Lord Turner, has said that if global aviation emissions are left unchecked, they could make up 15 to 20 percent of all CO2 produced in 2050. Mr. Walsh said that as well as agreeing to reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels, the industry had agreed to improve CO2 efficiency by an average of 1.5 percent per year up to 2020 and stabilize net emissions from 2020. The agreement is supported by the 230 airlines in the International Air Transport Association, the world airline trade body. DHS MODIFIES RULES FOR LAPTOP SEARCHES The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a set of new guidelines limiting the amount of time that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers can retain computers and downloaded data seized at U.S. points of entry, and notifying agents with whom they can share that information. Under the new directives, laptop computers, mobile phones, MP3s, Blackberrys, flash drives and other electronic devices can still be searched regardless of whether a traveler comes under the suspicion of border agents. But a device may only be held if there is probable cause to believe it is connected to a crime. The new policy imposes a 30 day limit within which searches of detained electronic devices have to be completed but prolonged detentions can be ordered if "circumstances exist that warrant more time." The decision to hold a device for more than five days would have to be approved by a federal security supervisor. The new directives require border agents to keep detailed records of searches and conduct them in the presence of a supervisor. CBP officials are directed to prevent unauthorized disclosures, only sharing such information with federal agencies "that have mechanisms in place to protect" the information. CBP officers are instructed to conduct device searches in the "presence of, or with the knowledge of, the traveler." Inspectors must seek the advice of CBP legal counsel if they want to examine privileged or confidential information such as a traveler's legal material, medical records or a journalist's notes. Once it is determined that no valuable information is to be gleaned from a traveler's device, any data download from the electronic accessory must be destroyed "as expeditiously as possible," and the hardware must be returned to the traveler. The policy revisions come amid mounting complaints that the CBP unjustifiably sifts through private information, retaining devices and information indefinitely without any explanation. The revised directives are effective immediately. .
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