Unruly Passengers Could Get Booted From TSA PreCheck
Unruly passengers have been a huge problem for airlines since the start of the pandemic. Many incidents have gone viral over the last two year.
There have been a total of 5,664 reports of unruly passengers this year through the middle of December according to the FAA, and 1,030 investigations have been initiated.
The FAA has initiated 315 enforcement cases against unruly passengers this year alone. That’s more than double the cases of 2019. Infractions range from verbal threats to physical assault on other passengers and crew.
Now those unruly airline passengers may face additional consequences for bad behavior under a new partnership between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA will share information of passengers facing fines for unruly behavior with TSA who may remove the passenger from TSA PreCheck screening eligibility. The program is a privilege reserved for low-risk travelers. It speeds up the airport experience and TSA PreCheck travelers do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or light jackets.
“TSA has zero tolerance for the unruly behaviors, especially those involving physical assault occurring aboard aircraft. We have tremendous respect for airport staff, gate agents and flight crews that get people safely to their destinations,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “This partnership with FAA will help ensure the safety and security of all passengers and hold those who violate federal regulations accountable for their actions.”
“If you act out of line, you will wait in line,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said. “Our partnership aims to promote safe and responsible passenger behavior. One unruly incident is one too many.”
In addition to the FAA providing the TSA with information of passengers who receive proposed fines for unruly behavior, the TSA will also share information to help the FAA identify and locate unruly passengers to serve them with penalty notices.
Both agencies assure passengers that the information sharing includes robust provisions to protect their privacy and personal information.
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Lose pre check priviledges?! Really? Was the second idea banning them from getting snacks on the plane? “Remember Connie, passenger 27F doesn’t get snacks”….
Agree with Walt…These morons should be banned from ANY future air travel. Length TBD by severity of offense…. minimum of 5 years to life. This “penalty” is a paper tiger. Time to grow some.
I’m sorry – these “solutions” really seem like baby steps.
If any person physically assaults airport or airline personnel, why are they not banned from EVERY U.S. airline, for LIFE?
There is no reason all of us should risk our health and safety, or our family’s, because some idiot did something very stupid, and illegal, but then got off with a slap on the wrist, so he’s free to go do it again. Keep the traveling public safe! Put some teeth in the rules!
The majority of those wing nutters are not exactly TSA precheck sort of customers. I would bet very few. They need tom some up with something else.