TSA Increases Penalties for Those Who Fail to Mask and Fly

     The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that it will be increasing the penalties to $500 to $1,000 for travelers who are first offenders who fail to wear masks when they fly: starting tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 10, President Joe Biden announced today.

     Second-time offenders will be charged $1,000 to $3,000.

     "Today, I am announcing that the TSA will double the fines on travelers who refuse to mask," President Biden said. "If you break the rules, be prepared to pay.

     "And by the way," the president added, "show some respect. The anger you see toward flight attendants and others doing their job, is wrong, is ugly."

     TSA, which is working to update airport signs that inform travelers of the increased penalties for those who violate the federal mask mandate, said that it will not place signs in railroad stations or other transportation hubs.

     The mandate for travelers to wear masks while flying has been in effect since Jan. 21, when a federal security directive required Americans to wear masks in all US transportation systems.