According to Federal Aviation Administration, reports of unruly passengers on planes jumped dramatically in 2021, often centering around alcohol consumption or mask complaints. As a result, the airlines are now taking strict action against rude passengers, in fact, the airplane crew members are also given self-defense classes to protect themselves against unruly passengers.
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A bizarre incident reported where a woman was duct-taped to her seat on an American Airlines flight to Charlotte in July has been fined $81,950 by the Federal Aviation Administration — the administration’s largest fine to date.
Reportedly, the woman was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Charlotte on an overnight flight that landed in Charlotte on July 7.
As per the FAA, the passenger threatened to hurt a flight attendant after failing in the aisle. Not only this but the woman also pushed the flight attendant aside and attempted to open the cabin door.
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The FAA announced the latest round of fines for unruly passengers Friday.
After much deliberation, two flight attendants tried to control the unruly passenger, however, the woman continued to hit the flight attendant on the head. The crazy woman also bit and tried to kick the crew.
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A video on social media went viral where the woman appears to be in distress and is seen retained in her passenger seat as the passengers continue to leave the plane at the Charlotte airport.
After the plane landed, the passenger was shifted to a hospital for evaluation at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, American Airlines informed at the time.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police was also present at the landing, according to the airline.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said:
If you're on an airplane, don't be a jerk. ... Also, if you're not on an airplane, don't be (a jerk). The bottom line is if you do it on an airplane and you endanger flight crews and fellow passengers, you will be fined by the FAA and you may be referred for criminal prosecution.
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According to FAA, reports of rude passengers going out of control during mid-flight have seen a dramatic increase since 2021.
Last year, the FAA initiated a record-high 1,099 investigations into unruly passenger reports, compared to 183 in 2020 and 146 in 2019. So far this year, the FAA has initiated 309 investigations into unruly passenger reports.
Rude and unruly passengers have always been part of the job of flight attendants. But it’s gotten much worse, CLT-based flight attendants told the Observer a few months back.
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In fact, the Federal Air Marshal Service teaches a self-defense class for airplane crew members once a month at the agency’s Charlotte field office: “Our entire job is preparing for the worst-case scenario,” American Airlines flight attendant Courtney McDonald told the Observer in August 2021, as McDonald and other flight attendants learned self-defense strategies.
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