FAA: No more warnings for unruly passengers on flights

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said it will strengthen enforcement of sanctions against unruly passengers following several cases of politically motivated harassment at airports and on planes in recent weeks.

The agency said it had seen “a worrying increase in incidents where airline passengers disrupted flights with threatening or violent behavior,” according to the Associated Press.

“These incidents are due to both the refusal of passengers to wear masks and the recent violence at the United States Capitol,” the FAA added, announcing in an order from Administrator Stephen Dickson that warnings would no longer be issued to passengers who commit unruly acts.

Instead, Dickson said, he pointed to fines of up to $ 35,000 and jail time if passengers physically assault or verbally threaten airline crews or other travelers.

“First hit and you’re out. We commend FAA Administrator Dickson for taking this clear stand for our safety, ”Sara Nelson, head of the world’s largest flight attendant union, said in a statement to the AP. “This will help deter unruly passengers who had broken air safety rules.”

In recent weeks, several videos have emerged showing heated clashes between U.S. lawmakers and angry supporters of President TrumpDonald TrumpCotton: Senate lacks power to hold impeachment trial once Trump steps down Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will present articles of impeachment against Biden’s acting director ICE resigns weeks after entering in function before or during flights from Washington, DC

“Why don’t you support President Trump?” a woman asked Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney Michigan, Ohio Republicans say votes to impeach Trump House impeach Trump for second time – with some GOP support McConnell says he’s undecided on whether to vote to condemn Trump MORE (R-Utah) during a confrontation at the Salt Lake airport last week. “You are kidding,” said another passenger. CNBC reported on Thursday that Delta banned passengers involved in the showdown with Romney.

representative Lou CorreaJose (Lou) Luis CorreaFAA: No more warnings for unruly passengers on flights Criminalization that should never have been: Cannabis Man arrested, accused of threatening to attack Muslims in Germany MORE (D-Calif.) Was also boarded inside Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC late last week, with over a dozen Trump supporters yelling at him and telling him “no one here voted for you”.

Thousands of Trump supporters flocked to Washington, DC last week for a “Stop the Steal” rally and march on Capitol Hill that eventually turned into widespread riots that left several dead.

Scenes of uncooperative travelers refusing to comply with mask warrants or social distancing measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus also unfolded over the summer.

Earlier this week, video of a man crying and screaming after being taken off a flight because he allegedly refused to wear a mask on his nose and mouth went viral.

The new FAA policy will be in effect until March 30.