Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON. / AFP / Getty Images
Civil fines for violators of federal laws on commercial flights will increase considerably in cost, in view of the increase in altercations on flights, especially when it comes to the “mandatory use of a mask”, as announced by the Transportation Security Administration Agency (TSA, for its acronym in English) , along with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
It turns out that fights on airplanes are becoming more common and viral and airports, also captured on video by the passengers themselves. Most of the passengers in altercations stand out for rejecting the use of masks to prevent Covid – 19, measure that by the way is mandatory throughout the flight, in these times of pandemic.
In this sense, a manager at Miami International Airport assures that the increase in altercations in flight or at airline counters at airports does not have Never before have so many fights been experienced this way. So these fights “will no longer be free” . asserted.
The new fines came into effect from Friday 10 of September and comprises: from $ 500 to $ 1, 000 dollars for first offenders; and for those who violate the rules for the second time, the fine will go to $ 1, 02 to $ 3, 000 dollars.
The penalties for evading the mandatory use of masks will be imposed on anyone traveling on public transport. Includes commercial airplanes, trains and railways, and within the public bus system.
The federal mandate for the use of masks in transportation was implemented in February 2021 and so far it is scheduled to run until January 2022.
For the TSA, these measures are necessary to optimize the protection of workers within the public transport system and of course as an optional measure to contain the massive contagion of Covid- 19.
Although the number of passengers who adhere to the regulations is a majority, an attempt is being made to reinforce a “voluntary adherence to the regulations”, emphasized David TSA Pekoske.
From now on, airports will have updated signage that indicate the new costs of the fines.
It should be noted that these fines for passengers who oppose the federal mandate of the use of a mask, with independent any civil penalty imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for travelers who engage in other unruly behavior during a flight or within an airport.
Since the beginning From the pandemic, there are hundreds of altercations that we have seen in airports and planes with passengers who have refused to wear a mask during the flight or in front of the airline counter. We saw the most recent a few days ago.
On a Jet Blue flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, a couple was forced to get off of the plane for the misuse of the mask. According to videos posted by other passengers on social media, the couple argue with flight attendants. Many passengers say that the effect of alcohol was present in the passengers who argued.