A bipartisan bill is working its way through Congress that would further ratchet-up the consequences for committing air rage.

It is not often one can celebrate the work of lawmakers.

Yet, in this case, and after nearly a quarter of century of advocacy, I feel that the problem which was spelled out in my 2001 book on air rage is moving toward a significant reduction.

Making the punishment for perpetrating a rage incident more consistent and severe is a strong step to ultimately reducing the overall security risk.

Still, it will not relieve us of all risk.

Air ragers, while less likely in number going forward due to fears over real punishment, will remain.

The influences of drugs, mental illness, alcohol, entitlement, and just plain rudeness will continue to drive some to commit aberrant, abnormal, or violent acts.

Nevertheless, especially for flight crews and passengers, we should hope - and expect- that this action will make air travel less arduous.