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FAA Sees Over 1,300 Unruly Passenger Cases in Four Months of 2021

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As flyers start to return to the skies, the Federal Aviation Administration says more passengers are causing disruptions in the skies. In just four months of 2021, the agency has taken over 1,300 reports of unruly passengers – an increase of over 800 percent compared to previous years.

The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a warning to everyone boarding an airplane this year: If you cause a disruption aboard a flight, find a new way to travel into the year. NBC News reports the agency is deeply concerned about a significant spike of passengers causing issues aboard flights.

Agency Sees over 800 percent increase in incidents compared to normal year

After a number of flights experienced disruptions ahead of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the FAA instituted a “zero tolerance” policy aboard aircraft. Those who were caught creating a disruption would be subject to a $35,000 fine, possible lifetime bans by airlines and possible criminal prosecution.

Even though the policy was designed to deter poor behavior, the civil aviation agency says they have experienced the opposite. In a “normal” pre-pandemic year, the FAA may receive between 100 and 150 complaints about flyers creating problems on flights. In the first four months of 2021, they have received over 1,300 cases of dangerous and disruptive behavior. The incidents include reports of people failing to wear face masks, having too much to drink on a flight, or allegations of physical and verbal assault.

As a result, the FAA is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security to increase watch over airports and aircraft. Both the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Air Marshals will work together to help keep calm aboard aircraft.

“It is not permissible and we will not tolerate interfering with a flight crew and the performance of their safety duties,” FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson told NBC News. “Period.”

Policies and Penalties Appear to Have Little Effect on Flyer Behavior

Although the fines are among the highest instituted for disruptive passenger behavior, the policies seem to have little effect among passengers. In April and early May 2021 alone, an Alaska state senator was banned from Alaska Airlines for not wearing a face mask on the flight, flyers in Miami International Airport (MIA) engaged in a brawl over standby seats, and an American Airlines flyer was charged in court for an alleged assault of a flight attendant.

13 Comments
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MRM May 11, 2021

No sympathy for idiots. No sympathy for huge penalties. The problem is tossing that $35K at everyone that can't behave - and anyone blaming the airlines for these issues isn't thinking straight and looking for a scapegoat besides the one and only - the moron causing the issues.

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chollie May 6, 2021

I would like to see the airlines treat passengers who don't follow the mask rules the same way TSA treats anyone who tries to refuse a patdown. We know these passengers are capable of complying because they have already passed a checkpoint. The difference at the checkpoint is that refusing to follow the rules WILL have consequences. It's not at all clear that there will be consequences for misbehavior on the plane (or in the terminal), which is why it continues to happen. Perhaps firm pre-flight announcements similar to when smoking was first banned would be appropriate, but only if followed with consistent action. Hint: that doesn't mean relaxing the rules in first while cracking down on coach.

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MelP May 5, 2021

My Delta flight from RSW to JFK this past weekend was taxiing for takeoff but turned back to the gate to kick off a passenger refusing to wear their mask. Was very low-key though, did not notice any disturbance and only saw the errant passenger as he got up to deplane, although I did see him in the boarding area before getting on blissfully waiting with no mask and no sign of having one (I think they gave him one to board...)..

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SFO1974 May 5, 2021

There are people who are rude and obnoxious - in the workplace, in the grocery store, and on planes. This is not news. I have never once had a negative interaction with an FA. Have I had less-than-stellar service? You bet! (I'm looking at you, UA Long Haul.) It is what you make it. Follow the rules and sit quietly for the duration of the flight. Its probably no more than 4 hours of your life. It will just give you some great talking points the next time you're griping about the Nanny State with your friends.

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st3 May 5, 2021

Arrest them and then put them on the no-fly list for at least 5 years and make an example out of a few. I imagine the "freedom fighters" will fall in line. Flying is a privilege, not a right and no you don't get all the same freedoms you would have in your home.