The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of $165,000 against Alaska Airlines for allegedly allowing visibly intoxicated passengers to board its aircraft on 11 separate occasions between February 2024 and February 2025. This enforcement action underscores a broader regulatory crackdown on operational safety and the management of at-risk behaviors in the cabin. According to the FAA, these incidents violate Section 121.575 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, which explicitly prohibits airlines from permitting passengers who appear to be under the influence of alcohol to board. The regulator stated that Alaska Airlines "failed to prevent several obviously intoxicated passengers from traveling," despite a clear duty to detect and deny boarding before departure. The FAA did not specify which flights or airports were involved in the 11 incidents. Alaska Airlines now has the option to pay the fine or contest the decision before an administrative law judge at the Department of Transportation. This case is part of a wider trend of increased FAA oversight of airlines, particularly regarding cabin safety and the handling of unruly passengers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. authorities have observed a significant rise in incidents involving disruptive passengers, often linked to alcohol consumption. The FAA now requires carriers to report any alcohol-related incident within five days to track trends and identify emerging risks. In this context, airlines are under close scrutiny regarding their internal procedures, crew training, and coordination between ground staff and flight crews. Alaska Airlines has stated that it "fully cooperated" with the FAA audit and has already implemented corrective measures. The airline has enhanced training for its employees, especially gate agents and cabin crew, to improve the detection of passengers unfit to travel. Staff are now better trained to recognize signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, motor difficulties, and aggressive or incoherent behavior. Additionally, Alaska Airlines has improved its internal communication protocols, allowing agents to immediately flag at-risk passengers in the reservation system before boarding. For ATPL and ATC students, this case is a practical reminder of the regulatory and operational challenges surrounding passenger safety. Understanding the legal framework—such as FAR 121.575 and equivalent EASA rules—is essential for future pilots and controllers who must manage disruptive situations. The incident also highlights the importance of crew resource management (CRM) and the need for clear communication between ground and flight crews to prevent safety risks. As the FAA emphasizes, managing unruly passengers is a critical responsibility for all aviation professionals.