LOVE ON THE ROCKS Air Rage. Duck Suits. Richard Branson. Is Courtney going mad? COURTNEY LOVE's emotional wellbeing has become even more of a cause of concern than ever in the last week, after she spent several days causing chaos in London.    She was arrested on Tuesday, February 4 at Heathrow airport accused of "disruptive behaviour and for endangering an aircraft" on flight VS008 from LA. She became abusive during the flight, and called a stewardess 'a bitch' when her nurse - who was flying in economy class - was refused entry into the upper class cabin.    An eyewitness said: "Courtney came through and sat on my friend's lap and started talking about how she wanted to buy a house in London. She was pretty off it, but not particularly rude. The staff seemed a bit stuck up, and took it all a bit too seriously."    However, a spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic said: "We will not tolerate improper behaviour by passengers on board of any of our aircraft and always press for prosecution of passengers charged with unruly behaviour. The safety of all our passengers and crew is of paramount importance."    Love was later released from Heathrow police station with a caution, telling waiting reporters: "I cussed at a lady - my daughter always said I had a potty mouth. I cussed at a lady named Mary, she wasn't letting my friend into first class, and I said, 'Why are you being such a bitch about it?'."    The following day, Love attended a gala show at Lodnon's Old Vic theatre, where she gave a bizarre performance dressed as Donald Duck, before stripping off while duetting with Elton John on his song 'The Bitch Is Back'. She demanded Virgin Cola during the party after spotting Richard Branson (who owns the Virgin brand, including the airline), and was later spotted deep in conversation with the mogul himself. All appeared to be forgiven, as he reportedly said: "Courtney is a rock'n'roll girl - I think that's pretty clear - and there are no hard feelings."    Love appeared unrepentant, saying: "I've no regrets about what happened. The stewardess was a bitch. It seems it is a crime in this country to cuss."    Love's behaviour has left many music fans unsure about wether she actually has anything to offer other than controversy. While she's known for leaving a trail of chaos in her wake - from stripping in public to many public spats with other bands - she seems to be getting even more out of control. Before this week's events, she was dogged by rumours that she threw herself on Joe Strummer's coffin at the Clash star's funeral (something she strongly denies), and photographs of her drunken behaviour in London have been splashed across the media.    She hasn't released an album since 1998's 'Celebrity Skin' and is currently without UK representation. However, while nothing has yet been finalised, she is currently in talks about a solo album with the Telstar label, and has been working on a series of new songs. While her post-Hole band Bastard never got off the ground, Babes In Toyland's Kat Bjelland and Hole's Patty Schemel - who were both approached for the Bastard project - appear on her demos.    Some quarters, particularly visitors to hole.com, still name her as a role model for uncompromising, individual women, but she seems to be losing support among kerrang.com messageboard users.    2punk2give4shite posted a typical response: "Is it just me who hates Courtney Love? She makes the spawn of Satan look like an angel! And what's worse, is that she doesn't even deserve this post, nor ANY of the attention she's getting. Why? Because she does F**K ALL, God I'm getting pissed off just by typing this."    Even Travis Keller from Buddyhead.com, the music website Courtney has supported in the past, said: "I think she's doing all of this so people will continue to care about her. It's much easier than putting a new album out. Pop a few pills, talk some shit, don't sit down on the plane, get arrested, get some press. Makes sense to me. She called me from jail. She told me Shat is her favourite new CD." "SHE'S A FREE SPIRIT TV psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos on that air rage incident... What do you think of Courtney's air-rage case? "Celebrities think different rules apply to them. They have this amazing sense of entitlement. Ass on to that the type of story that's come with Courtney Love, that she isn't particularly the most law abiding, wholesome girl. She's made a career of going against what people do and not caring what people say." What causes air rage? "Some theories are psychological, that the pressure in the cabin causes more stress, and that there's very little room in a cabin, so your personal space is invaded. You feel out of control or anxious, and it manifests itself through anger. You feel, especially in first class, that you've spent this much money, you ought to have whatever you want. People drink on aeroplanes, they start drinking before they get on a plane." What do you think is going on with her? "Courtney Love is a very attention-seeking, loud, free spirit who doesn't care what people think about her. It's quite paradoxical to find people that want attention but at the same time want to say 'screw you' to the people that like them. There seems to be this need to reject but also be accepted." - Kerrang!, February 15, 2003 - - - - - - - - - - - - -