from the article: "So, then, it's going to be a federal offense," another agent quickly chimed in, "and you and your wife will be in jail and your kids will be -." ....The FAA says it's a federal crime to interfere "with the duties of a crewmember."

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That's how the game is played, and with the assistance of the FAA and the Dept. of Transportation.  Both agencies are more concerned about what the airlines want,  than the needs of the flying public. Remember when the FAA started requiring passengers to show ID? That wasn't for security, it was so that you couldn't sell YOUR ticket to somebody else; a favor to the airlines under the guise of security (I could go on about the relationship of fake security and role it played in the 911 attacks). Once upon a time emergency exit rows used to be clear and there were no seats. Now, safety aside, the airlines charge extra because of the Federally mandated extra width of the emergency exit isle. Wow, are we stupid or what?