Unruly Passenger Incidents Still Elevated as TSA Extends Mask Mandate 30 Days

Washington, DC (WorkersCompensation.com) – Despite continued attacks on flight attendants and airline crew members, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has decided to extend its mask mandate for another 30 days.

Since the beginning of 2021, unruly passengers have posed a threat to flight attendants and other airline employees, many of whom have suffered physical attacks at the hands of upset or intoxicated passengers. About 72 percent of those altercations stem from conflicts over masks. 

But on March 10, the TSA released a statement extending the mask mandate until April 18. The mandate had been extended twice before and was set to expire on March 18. 

“At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18th,” the TSA said. “During that time, CDC will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor. This revised framework will be based on the COVID-19 community levels, risk of new variants, national data, and the latest science.” 

The announcement comes in anticipation of a busy spring travel season. 

“TSA’s collaboration with industry and federal partners has been instrumental throughout this pandemic, and now we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as demonstrated by the rapid recovery of the travel industry,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We are prepared and ready for a busy spring, and are doing our part to ensure the traveling public is safe and secure by continuing to deploy new technologies within the checkpoint that enhance security, reduce physical contact and improve the traveling experience. We just ask travelers to do their part by being respectful to each other and those who work in the transportation sector – from our officers to airport workers and flight crew.”   

According to the FAA, as of March 7, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 817 incidents of unruly passengers, or 6.2 incidents for every 10,000 flights. Of those, 535, or 63 percent, were a result of mask disputes, the agency said. In 2021, the agency reported nearly 6,000 unruly passenger events, an average of 16 incidents per day, or one every 2,800 flights. Of those, 4,290 were mask related, the agency said. 

As recently as last week, unruly passengers have caused flights to be diverted or passengers to be detained. 

An AeroMexico flight from Toronto to Mexico City was diverted to Houston on March 3 after three passengers who appeared to be intoxicated were disruptive and refused to wear their masks. AeroMexico Flight 617 landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where two men and one woman were removed from the flight after being told they would not be served any more alcohol and to finish their drinks. 

"But following that incident, all three individuals kept refusing to cover their faces with their masks, were rude, confrontational and appeared to be intoxicated," according to police department spokesman Kese Smith. Police met the plane. Two of the passengers were transported to Houston’s Sobering Center – where people can be taken to sober up instead of being charged with public intoxication. The third passenger was left with Customs and Border Protection because he had a no-entry into the U.S. stipulation on his passport. All three left Houston the next morning after sobering up, officials said. 

Some of the unruly passenger incidents have resulted in flight attendants being injured, however. In December, a California woman pleaded guilty to punching a flight attendant in the face, resulting in the flight attendant being hospitalized. The flight attendant suffered from bruises to her left eye, a cut that required three stitches and three chipped teeth. 

Vyvianna Quinonez, 28, attacked the flight attendant after being asked to wear her mask correctly. 

Quinonez will be sentenced on March 11, and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors said they would likely recommend a sentence of four month behind bars and six months of home arrest. Quinonez has also been banned from flying on Southwest Airlines. 

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office are expected to recommend that Quinonez receive four months in custody and six months of home confinement, as well as a $5,000 fine, restitution, community service and anger management classes. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaclyn Stahl, Quinonez will also be barred from flying on commercial airlines for three years. 

"The flight attendant who was assaulted was simply doing her job to ensure the safety of all passengers aboard the plane,'' Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said during Quinonez plea agreement. "It's inexcusable for anyone to use violence on an airplane for any reason, particularly towards a flight attendant who is there to keep all the passengers safe.'' 

Quinonez is expected to be sentenced March 11. 

While some flight attendants have said they don’t support the mask mandate extension, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, the union that represents flight attendants, said flight attendants will work to uphold the agency’s decision. 

On Feb. 22, Nelson said in a statement flight attendants’ personal preferences weren’t the issue. 

“Some AFA members have said they want it extended and others have said they don’t,” she said. “Either way, as long as it’s in place flight attendants are charged with managing it on the plane. We continue to advise the public of the role of flight attendants so they are not focusing frustrations on the crew, in response to any of our safety instructions.” 

After the announcement, Nelson said the AFA would be focusing on supporting flight crews. 

“AFA did not take a position but instead focused on accurate information and calm in the cabin,” Nelson said in a statement. “As long as the federal rules are in place flight attendants are charged with managing all safety measures on the plane. We continue to advise the public of the role of flight attendants so that the public is not focusing frustrations on the crew, in response to any of our safety instructions.” 

The extension also gives agencies a chance to find ways to protect passengers and flight crews, Nelson said. 

“We are encouraged that the relevant agencies will use this 30-day extension period to create a revised framework for transportation-based mitigation measures, so workers and the public can have confidence when mask mandates are lifted,” she said. “Like all Americans, flight attendants look forward to the time when masks are no longer required for confidence in the safety of air travel. We will continue to work with airlines and government to make that a reality as soon as possible.

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