Keller @ Large: The Not-So-Friendly Skies

BOSTON (CBS) -- Be honest with me–are you angry? Angrier than normal more often than normal?

Or at least noticing more angry behavior from others?

If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, welcome to the club.

According to a new study from the International Air Transport Association, air rage incidents involving "unruly" passengers are up sharply in recent years. The most recent numbers show you have a one in 1,205 chance of encountering an obnoxious drunk, aggressive jerk, or some other form of disruptive fellow traveler every time you fly.

Some of the reasons, while hardly new, are obvious: people are in close quarters, often competing for scarce bag and elbow room, and some of us just have no clue how to behave in a civil, considerate manner.

Add booze and stir, and you've got trouble in the friendly skies.

But it seems there's more to it than that.

Researchers have determined that first-class passengers are more likely to become drunk and belligerent, while those in economy are more prone to panic attacks.

They've found that folks in coach are more likely to act out if they had to pass through first class on their way to their seat, while the sight of the peons walking by is often a trigger for first-class passenger air rage.

So let's recap.

We're all on a flight together, headed for the same destination, likely with common goals. And yet the mere sight of our class differences is increasingly enough to turn us against one another.

This all sounds so familiar.

Like some big news story that's unfolding right now.

But I just can't put my finger on what it is.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.