With situations of conflict arising in the skies, the FAA is temporarily raising the fine amount that unruly passengers could face. This would be in addition to the airline itself banning that unruly passenger from flying their airline again.
New FAA Policy Increases Unruly Passenger Fee Up to $35,000 and Imprisonment – No Warnings
The FAA is trying to address those passengers that feel that they can act unruly while in the confinement of an airplane. To that end, FAA Administrator Dickson signed a new order yesterday to increase the penalties such passengers could face. He said, “Flying is the safest mode of transportation and I signed this order to keep it that way,” Administrator Dickson said.”
Not only is the FAA being more aggressive against unruly passengers with the high fees they could pay but they are also jumping right to the fines itself. In the past, the FAA would keep other measures like counseling or warning of passengers on the table but now they are going to just deliver a fine – no warning.
The unruly passenger is one “who interfere with, physically assault, or threaten to physically assault aircraft crew or anyone else on an aircraft.” This kind of passenger, at least through March 31, 2021, will face up to a $35,000 fine and possible imprisonment without any warning.
Moral of the story here – just mind your business and do not misbehave, especially on an airplane!
