World News for Students of English

07-10-2021 15:00

As of 28 September, the US Federal Aviation Administration documented nearly 4,500 reports of unruly passengers and close to 3,300 mask-related incidents.

Airline passengers who behave badly is nothing new; however, in January, due to a disturbing increase in violent behavior on flights, the FAA enacted a no-tolerance policy for anyone who assaults, threatens or interferes with airline crew members. Travel after the pandemic is not the same, and rules like wearing a mask must be enforced on flights by federal law. However, this has been a real challenge for crew members. Although passengers sign an agreement that they will wear the masks, they don’t always want to do it.

As flight attendants have been attacked, they’re currently being taught effective self-defense for use on board. Consequences for unruly behavior have been upped with a fine of up to 37,000 dollars or criminal charges. The FAA already started 169 cases this year and levied more than 1 million dollars in fines.

Difficult words: enact (make law), up (to increase), levy (to impose a tax, fee or fine).

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