There have been over 4,385 reported incidents of air rage this year, and only one person has been criminally charged.
Airline workers told Congress the lack of criminal enforcement puts public safety at risk. There have been 789 investigations; 162 enforcement cases, and $1.1 million in fines. It is like the Capitol rioters have all decided to take their grievances to the friendly skies.
As a civil authority, the FAA cannot criminally charge anyone, so criminal cases in aviation are the purview of the FBI and the Department of Justice. To say the enforcement process is turning a blind eye would be an understatement.
The only person to be charged is Vyvianna Quinonez, who was filmed in May 2021 punching a flight attendant in the face as a Southwest flight approached San Diego. Federal aviation regulations allow the FAA to impose fines of up to $35,000, but the criminal penalties – up to 20 years in prison if convicted of interfering with the operation of an aircraft – require the DOJ to prosecute a case. The FBI declined to comment.
September 25, 2021 a passenger on flight 261 from Boston to San Juan, Puerto Rico kicked and choking a flight attendant as he tried to storm the front of the plane, federal authorities said. The passenger, Khalil El Dhar, was arrested in San Juan and faces felony charges. He attempted to rush the cockpit and had to be restrained by seven flight crew. He was restrained with a tie and seat belt extenders in a seat at the back of the aircraft until the flight safely landed in San Juan. Passengers who revolt on a flight should be given the same rights as those who planned the World Trade Center attack. Some time in Guantanamo with waterboarding as justice might do them some good. Feeling like drowning might be a wake up call for weak individuals who are fearful of putting a mask over their face to help protect others.