September 2021 | Volume 13, Issue 2


Read the full article from CNN.

According to the article, federal authorities are proposing more than a half-million dollars in new fines against commercial airline passengers that refused to wear masks, hit flight attendants, and even threw luggage across the cabin.

The Federal Aviation Administration's recent announcement of $531,545 in fines against 34 passengers accused of being unruly on board is the single largest announcement of federal fines since the start of a nationwide crackdown earlier this year, bringing this year's total to more than $1 million.

Of the incidents detailed by federal investigators for the first time, nearly two-thirds involve passengers accused of violating the federal transportation-wide mask mandate, which was just extended by the Transportation Security Administration to remain in place through January 18.

Federal documents show that nine of the 34 incidents involve a passenger accused of touching or hitting another person on the plane, including crew members. Eight passengers are accused of illegally drinking alcohol they brought on board the plane. Half of the incidents involve flights to or from vacation destinations in Florida.

With this announcement, the FAA has now proposed fines against nearly 80 passengers after receiving nearly 3,900 reports of incidents. The FAA said recently that based on the reports, it has opened 682 investigations into possible violations of federal laws.

House Transportation Chairman Peter DeFazio told the media this week that he would like to see punishment that's even harsher than fines, with those accused of in-flight violence facing prison time.

"The first time we take one of these jerks who is assaulting flight attendants or attempting to take an aircraft down -- and they go away for a few years and they get a massive fine-- I think that will send a message," Chairman DeFazio said.

But the FAA points out it does not have the authority to file criminal charges. Instead, it proposes civil fines that the accused violators may pay or dispute.

The largest flight attendant union, the Association of Flight Attendants, have also called for more prosecutions.

"If you interfere with a crew member's duties and put the rest of the plane in jeopardy, or assault the crew member, you're facing $35,000 in fines for each incident and up to 20 years in prison," association President Sara Nelson said. "People need to understand there are severe consequences here."

The largest fine announced recently -- $45,000 -- is against a passenger accused of throwing his luggage at another passenger and, while lying on the aisle floor, "grabbing a flight attendant by the ankles and putting his head up her skirt." That New York to Orlando flight was forced to land early in Virginia.

A different passenger faces a $42,000 fine for allegedly "snorting what appeared to be cocaine from a plastic bag" in an episode that included "stabbing gestures towards certain passengers." Another passenger would not wear his face mask, the FAA, said, and "acted as though his hand was a gun and made a 'pew, pew' noise as if he was shooting a fellow passenger."

Discussion Questions

  1. Describe the FAA.

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a federal administrative agency that is part of the United States Department of Transportation. It is charged with the responsibility of regulating the country’s aerospace system.

    Please see the following regarding the espoused mission, vision, and values of the FAA:


    Our Mission

    Our continuing mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

    Our Vision

    We strive to reach the next level of safety and efficiency and to demonstrate global leadership in how we safely integrate new users and technologies into our aviation system. We are accountable to the American public and our aviation stakeholders.

    Our Values

    Safety is our passion. We work so all air and space travelers arrive safely at their destinations.

    Excellence is our promise. We seek results that embody professionalism, transparency and accountability.

    Integrity is our touchstone. We perform our duties honestly, with moral soundness, and with the highest level of ethics.

    People are our strength. Our success depends on the respect, diversity, collaboration, and commitment of our workforce.

    Innovation is our signature. We foster creativity and vision to provide solutions beyond today's boundaries.

    For more information, please visit the FAA website.
  2. In your reasoned opinion, should the FAA have the authority to impose civil fines on passengers? Why or why not?

    This is an opinion question, so student responses may vary.

    In your author’s opinion, the FAA should most certainly have the authority to impose civil fines on passengers. Keep in mind that as referenced in response to Article 3, Discussion Question 1 above, the mission, vision, and values of the FAA all relate to safety, and as referenced in the article, these civil fines are imposed on passengers who imperil safety.
  3. As indicated in the article, the FAA does not have the authority to file criminal charges against unruly passengers. Why not?

    In answering this question, keep in mind that only federal and state prosecutors have the authority to file criminal charges against individuals. Expressed another way, such authority is not within the purview of the FAA, although the FAA could certainly work with prosecutors in terms of providing evidence that can be used against unruly passengers in criminal court.