A maskless airline passenger blew his nose into a blanket. He now faces a $10,500 fine.
Category: News & Politics
Via: sister-mary-agnes-ample-bottom • 3 years ago • 11 commentsBy: Hannah Sampson (MSN)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The Federal Aviation Administration announced this week that it had proposed a civil penalty of $10,500 against a JetBlue passenger whose disruptive behavior on a flight included coughing and blowing his nose into a blanket.
© iStock/Washington Post illustration
"The FAA alleges the passenger repeatedly ignored, and was abusive to, flight attendants who instructed him to wear a face mask," the agency said in a news release. "The passenger's disruptive behavior diverted flight crew members from their duties."
It was just the latest such announcement from the FAA, which has been cracking down on passengers who refuse to wear masks and otherwise disrupt crew members.
Airlines have reported about 1,300 cases of unruly passengers to the FAA since February, a huge spike compared to earlier years. The agency said recently it had identified "potential violations" in about 260 cases and had notified passengers of enforcement in about 20 cases. "A number of additional enforcement actions" were in the works, the FAA said.
In March, the agency extended a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers that was first announced in January. The Transportation Security Administration last month extended its mask orders for people in airports and on airplanes, trains and buses through September.
After the FAA proposes a civil penalty, a passenger can take several actions in response. Options include simply paying the fine, requesting a lower penalty, demonstrating they can't afford to pay, trying to prove the violation didn't happen, asking to discuss the case with the agency or requesting a hearing with an administrative law judge. Passengers have 30 days after receiving a letter about a penalty to respond.
1,300 travelers have been reported for 'unruly behavior' on flights since February, FAA says
The incident that prompted the $10,500 fine happened on a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles on Dec. 27. While the FAA did not identify the passenger, JetBlue said at the time that it had banned rapper Lil Pump for refusing to wear a mask during a flight on that date and route.
The performer has railed against mask mandates and said he does not "believe in corona." He could not be reached for comment about the penalty.
According to the news release this week, the FAA also proposed a $9,000 penalty against a passenger who was flying from Los Angeles to Newark on March 16. That passenger's disruptive behavior allegedly started while he was boarding.
"He yelled, slammed overhead bins, and shouted profanities at the cabin crew, including threatening to harass a flight attendant during the entire flight," the release said. The passenger also cursed at the captain, the FAA said, and was escorted out of the terminal by law enforcement.
It is against federal law to interfere with airline crew, or assault or threaten crew members. Passengers can face civil penalties, criminal fines or imprisonment.
"It's not permissible and we will not tolerate interfering with a flight crew in the performance of their safety duties," FAA administrator Steve Dickson told NBC News recently. "Period."
Read more:
FAA issues special order aimed at cracking down on unruly airline passengers after Capitol riot
TSA extends mask requirement for planes, other public transportation in U.S. until September
FAA to extend 'zero-tolerance' policy for bad behavior while federal mask mandate is in place
Tags
Who is online
513 visitors
Blew his nose on a blanket? Oh. Hell. No.
I hope JetBlue burned the blanket, because this guy's cooties would survive the traditional washing process.
I'd be willing to bet that a lot of those people who can't (or refuse to) control their behaviour in situations like this have never been spanked by their parents for bad behaviour. IMO they should be banned for life from flying - put their names in the computer no-fly list.
he might be over compensating with his behavior.
That is entirely possible. Or...perhaps sales are down and it's the only way he knows to grab some attention.
...uh,... er,... no comment...
There's harassment, and then there's 'You naughty boy with your shenanigans. Here's my number. Call me sometime."
I dealt with an unruly passenger on a flight from Amsterdam to the US [DTW - Detroit Metro]. He was a drunken [Irish] asshole spewing hatred about the US... I asked him if he was aware of where he was flying into. And YES I realize that not all Irishmen drink or act like assholes when they do. However, I was relieved when he passed out. He didn't even notice when I had to climb over him to go and use the restroom. The flight attendant [who was AWESOME BTW] was getting rather peeved with this guy. I told said flight attendant that I was NOT with that guy and he said, "I know dear and I'm sorry." I was pretty surprised that he wasn't in trouble when we landed. I think passing out saved that guy from being arrested.
How'd you get your street cred?
Rapper 1: I was a gun runner and drug dealer.
Rapper 2: I did some drive by shootings in Compton.
Rapper 3: I bullied a flight attendant.
I know the fine seems like a lot of money for the crime, but this guy was basically terrorizing everyone around him so he could be a dick. I have no sympathy for him.
I don’t understand what’s happening with people as they push back against things like getting vaccinated or respecting the health of people around them with a demeanor like they are being tortured. None of it is rational. It’s like a mass brat attack.
The fine isn't enough...Triple the amount for starters.
In Finland..... a speeding ticket is determined by your annual income figuring if it hurts enough, people will toe the line...
Needless to say, we didn't see much speeding when we lived there.