When They are Not So Friendly
A couple months ago I was invited to speak on the Ashleigh Banfield show to discuss unruly passengers. A big production in my living room for the filming, followed by delays that cut the show to just minutes. The first guest stated there was “nothing” the FAA could do about unruly passengers. Then the head of the flight attendant union spoke to flight attendant fear, and the question to me was, if I thought that passengers were unruly because the lack of leg room. I thought I had been invited to discuss aviation safety. I was wrong. The show ended quickly and what was not said, should have been.
FACT:
The FAA could do something to stop this violence
so says the law!
14 CFR § 121.580 – Prohibits the interference with crewmembers:
“No person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember’s duties aboard an aircraft being operated under this part.”
As part of the FAA’s Reauthorization Bill:
The FAA can propose up to $37,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases. Previously, the maximum civil penalty per violation was $25,000. One incident can result in multiple violations.
What is the FAA doing?
Passengers could lose their TSA PreCheck privilege
over unruly behavior on flights!
On December 23, 2021, FAA administrator Steve Dickson decided to take charge and hold people accountable and said, “if you act out of line, you will wait in line.” Clearly Mr. Dickson has never stood in one of those lines. Anyone who has would know that if passengers were behaving poorly before, that action would certainly incite far worse behavior. More than that, it’s a threat not unlike telling a child if they beat up the kids in the schoolyard, they will have to stand in the long line to get their ice cream cone. The punishment does not fit the crime.
The question that should be asked is: why isn’t the FAA administrator holding those passengers accountable at the risk of crew and passenger safety? Perhaps the FAA should focus more on aviation safety than the profitability of the airlines.
Exciting news on the horizon! The next novel in the series, Flight For Discovery, is coming soon. Buried within the pages may provide insight as to why the FAA is looking the other way. Truth is scarier fiction. Buckle up… the best is on its way!
Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene
