It's been many years nowthere are occasional reports of passengers causing disorder on flights. These disruptions often result in flight diversions and one or two passengers being removed from the aircraft. The remaining passengers, as well as those traveling on subsequent flights with that aircraft or crew, will ultimately be delayed. Sometimes flights can resume within an hour. Other times, delays can be much longer, especially if the crew is out of duty. In other cases, offending passengers were simply restrained on board by crew. Upon arrival at their intended destination, they were arrested and removed from the aircraft. While airlines may try to recoup some of the fees, they rarely do so publicly.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, additional protocols have been put in place. This is done jointly by the airlines and the FAA. These protocols impose some strict rules on how passengers should behave on airplanes. For example, wearing a mask became a requirement for all entry to airports and flights. Sometimes, some airlines limit the number of seats sold on a flight. Some airlines have blocked middle seats to ensure social distancing. Airlines are controlling how passengers disembark row by row to ensure the same social distancing. Of course, it remains a federal crime to interfere with the performance of any airline crew member's duties.
In some cases, this has put some travel passengers in the worst possible situation. These have been regularly documented by the news media. Public disregard for the rules led to physical altercations in terminals and on aircraft. In more serious cases, they also physically assaulted crew members. In these cases, law enforcement gets involved and the disruptive passengers often end up being arrested for their actions. Many airlines also impose embargoes on passengers who break rules and cause disturbances.
An American Airlines passenger bit a flight attendant after she was duct-taped to her seat after trying to open a plane door. pic.twitter.com/nDsu3GWnOP
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) July 11, 2021
The Federal Aviation Administration is also heavily involved in enforcement. The FAA issues press releases almost every two weeks outlining alleged violations by passengers and proposed hefty fines. These reports are interesting to read and can be viewed by anyone who wants to read them On the FAA's website. Examples of violations include a proposed $7,500 fine for a passenger who repeatedly lowered a required mask and caused all passengers on the flight to deplane, delaying the flight for 38 minutes, and a $21,000 fine for consuming alcoholic beverages not provided by the airline, refusing to wear a mask, and physically assaulting other passengers.
The FAA clearly states in every press release that
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reminded the traveling public on May 14 that if they travel, they still need to wear masks when traveling in and out of the United States by airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation. Wearing masks is also required in U.S. airports, stations and other transportation hubs.
Federal law prohibits interfering with a crew member or physically assaulting or threatening physical assault against a crew member or anyone else on board the aircraft. Passengers are subject to civil penalties for such misconduct, which may threaten flight safety by disrupting or distracting from crew safety duties. Additionally, federal law provides for criminal fines and jail time for passengers who interfere with a crew member's performance of their duties by assaulting or intimidating a crew member.
The FAA has a strict zero-tolerance policy for passengers who cause disturbances on flights, fail to comply with crew instructions, violate FAA regulations or engage in conduct prohibited by federal law. “
Air travel is a privilege for all. It remains the preferred mode of transport for the vast majority of the traveling public who are willing to abide by the rules and guidelines. However, some passengers believe they are above the law. Or feel like your own needs are more important than those of other travelers. For these people, be aware that your actions may result in a sudden and significant increase in costs.
Top image: “Police removed unruly passengers” go through jeffke Licensed CC 2.0
