In this Feb. 18, 2021 file photo, a passenger wears a face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as he waits for a Delta Airlines flight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. Federal officials said Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 they are seeking more than $160,000 in fines from eight airline passengers over incidents involving alcohol. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Federal officials said Monday they are seeking more than $160,000 in fines from eight airline passengers over incidents involving alcohol.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the biggest single proposed fine, topping $40,000, involves a passenger who brought alcohol on the plane and drank it, smoked marijuana in the lavatory, and sexually assaulted a flight attendant on a Southwest Airlines jet in April.
Police arrested the passenger after the plane from San Jose, California, landed in San Diego, and charged the person with resisting arrest and public intoxication, according to the FAA. It was not clear why the passenger was not charged with assault. The FAA does not have authority to file criminal charges.
The FAA did not identify any of the eight passengers, who face a combined total of $161,823 in civil penalties, although they have the right to contest the allegations. In some cases, airline crews diverted flights to land more quickly because of the passengers' erratic behavior.
The proposed fines represent the latest salvo in the FAA’s attempt to crack down on unruly passengers on planes, a problem that became much more common starting in January. Airlines have reported more than 5,000 incidents of unruly passengers to the FAA this year.
Most of the incidents have involved passengers refusing to follow the federal requirement for passengers to wear face masks while on planes, but nearly 300 have involved intoxicated passengers, according to the FAA.
Should real estate agents fear AI? Tushar Garg CEO at Flyhomes says no. He joined Cheddar to discuss the future of AI in the Real Estate business and more.
Christopher Zara, Senior Editor at Fast Company joined Cheddar to discuss the newly formed "DOGE"’s new goal to cut 2-trillion dollars from federal spending.
Sharon Price John CEO and President at Build-A-Bear Workshop discusses leading the brand, new offerings, the status of Brick-and-Mortar experiences and more!
A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.
Ryan Serhant, Founder and CEO of SERHANT, discusses the current Real Estate Market, the launch of S.MPLE by SERHANT, Season 2 of Owning Manhattan and more.
Vulture contributor Fran Hoepfner talks the Wicked film's marketing campaign, why 'culture jacking' works so well and how it all paid off for the hit musical.
