Whether a crime committed at an airport is "federal" depends primarily on where specifically it occurs and the nature of the offense. In the United States, airports are "jurisdictional mosaics" where local, state, and federal laws overlap. Generally, any crime that occurs "airside" (past the security checkpoint) or involves the interference of flight crews, airport security, or international customs is considered a federal offense. This includes carrying prohibited weapons through TSA, drug trafficking, or assaulting a federal officer. However, "landside" crimes in public areas like the ticketing lobby, baggage claim, or parking garages—such as petty theft, simple assault, or public intoxication—are typically handled by local or state police and prosecuted in local courts. Once a passenger boards an aircraft and the doors are closed, they enter the "Special Aircraft Jurisdiction of the United States," where almost any criminal act becomes a federal matter. Because federal sentencing guidelines are often much stricter than state laws, even minor altercations on a plane can result in severe federal prison time and massive fines.