Frequent Flyer.

Just as I try to know what laws, conventions, tariffs, and contracts I'm affected by regarding lost luggage, delayed flights, overbooking, visa requirements, carry-on limitations, etc, I want to understand this area as well, especially since altercations between passengers seem to be common. (see the "Incidents" section of flyertalk) I know what to do and what to expect and what my rights are if I'm bumped or have my flight cancelled or my luggage is lost but I have no idea what to do if a seatmate hits or pees on me.

And while I agree that it's a complex area of jurisprudence, EVERYTHING is a complex area of jurisprudence. Traffic accidents, human-resources, real-estate, etc. In all of the above there are always some general principles, guidelines, and precedents that it could help to be aware of and I don't see why this topic should be any different. I do lots of photography, including commercial photography, and the laws about what you can shoot, what you need signed releases for, copyright law, etc, are incredibly complex, especially internationally, but having a general understanding has helped me immensely over the years.