That's what I am wondering...
They could do a lot more than fine you. If.your actions are interfering with the crew which includes flight attendants from doing their job they can and will throw you in jail with a felony record. Never NEVER mess with an FAA certified flight crew member.
Notice the clause of interfering it’s separate from the assault clause one does not have to include the other. That comma is very important as is the or which in legal English is exclusive as in either or not the common inclusive or.
49 U.S. Code § 46504.Interference with flight crew members and attendants
U.S. Code
Notes
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An individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. However, if a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting or intimidating the member or attendant, the individual shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1244; Pub. L. 107–56, title VIII, § 811(i), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 382.)
Max fine was increased by Congress to $37,000 per incident, they have the full weight of congressional law behind them only the Supreme Court could strike down the fines.
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/passengers_cargo/unruly_passengers/
“The repercussions for passengers who engage in unruly behavior can be substantial. They can be fined by the FAA or prosecuted on criminal charges.
As part of the FAA’s Reauthorization Bill (PDF) FAA can propose up to $37,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases. Previously, the maximum civil penalty per violation was $25,000. One incident can result in multiple violations.
Page last modified: July 09, 2021 9:12:35 AM EDT”