Flight attendants and service staff deal with aggressive passengers using a combination of de-escalation techniques and strict safety protocols. Many airlines use the LEAP technique: Listen to the passenger without interruption, Empathize with their frustration (using phrases like "I understand why you're upset"), Ask questions to clarify the problem, and Paraphrase the issue back to them to show they have been heard. Maintaining a calm, respectful tone and open body language is critical to preventing further escalation. Crew members are also trained to offer choices when possible, giving the passenger a sense of control over a stressful situation. If verbal de-escalation fails and the passenger becomes a threat to safety, the situation escalates to a higher "level of threat." At this point, the crew may issue a formal "final warning" card. In extreme cases of physical aggression, crew members are trained in restraint techniques and carry tools such as flex-cuffs (plastic handcuffs) to secure the individual. The captain is always kept informed, and they have the authority to divert the flight for an emergency landing where local law enforcement will meet the aircraft to make an arrest.