Maskless Flyer Urinates in Alaska Airlines Cabin, Faces $250,000 Fine

ORG XMIT: WADZ201 In this photo made Thursday, June 11, 2009, an Alaska Airlines airliner is pushed away from a gate at SeaTac Airport in SeaTac, Wash. Alaska Air Group Inc., operator of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, said Thursday. July 23, its second-quarter profit plunged 53.9 percent to $29.1 million as sales slipped 9.3 percent.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A Colorado flyer traveling aboard Alaska Airlines from Seattle to Denver is facing up to $250,000 in fines, after refusing to wear a face covering and urinating on the cabin floor. The flyer said he had several drinks before the flight, and was unaware of his behavior until it was too late.

A Colorado man will face charges of interfering with a flight crew, after his drunken behavior created a major disruption aboard an Alaska Airlines flight. USA Today reports 24-year-old Landon Grier of Canyon City, Colorado was arrested after his flight on March 9, 2021.

Flyer Had “Several Beers and a Couple of Shots” Leading to Poor Behavior

According to an Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit, Grier was aboard an Alaska flight departing Seattle for Denver when the incident tool place. The flyer admitted to having “several beers and ‘a couple of shots,” as reported by USA Today.

During the flight, Grier allegedly fell unconscious from his drinking without wearing a face covering. Flight attendants came to him several times to remind him of the national face mask mandate, but employees say he “swatted them away,” physically hitting them in their encounters.

Later in the flight, Grier said that he was woken up by “…being yelled at by the flight attendants who told him he was peeing.” A nearby passenger alerted the crew that Grier was reportedly urinating in his seat. In his defense, the flyer told FBI agents that he had no recollection of the incident.

Although Grier’s accused behavior was disruptive, the flight was not diverted, but rather landed in Denver without further incident. Upon arrival, Grier was taken into custody by FBI agents.

If convicted, the passenger could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His next court appearance is set for March 26, 2021, where he will be represented by a public defender.

Case Comes as Additional Fines for Bad Behavior Set to Expire

Grier’s accused behavior comes as the additional fines for poorly acting passengers is set to expire. In January 2021, Federal Aviation Administrator Steve Dickson announced enhanced penalties of $35,000 for anyone who “interferes with, physically assaults, or threatens to physically assault crew or anyone else on the aircraft. The temporary rule will expire on March 31, 2021, unless it is extended.