Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
At the gate in ZZZ; a Flight Attendant comes up and tells me about a passenger issue regarding a passenger who wasn't wearing a mask. Evidently this passenger had been flagged for noncompliance with the mask policy on a previous flight. The Supervisor came and told me that she had counseled the passenger and boarded her. I saw the passenger board without her mask and pointed it out to the Supervisor. The Supervisor turned and reminded the passenger again that her mask needs to be in place. The passenger complied. I asked the Supervisor what her gut level feeling was and she answered that she thought the passenger could be a problem. I asked why are we boarding her then? At that point; a Flight Attendant went back and had a discreet discussion with the passenger; advising her that we were ok with her flying; but only if she wore her mask. She complied and slept most of the way to ZZZ1. We did depart one minute late; and the delay message referenced our needing to deal with this passenger. Two other people were also non compliant. A couple boarded with masks pulled down and while carrying coffee cups. The man asserted that he knew airline policy and if he was drinking; he was exempt from mask usage. The Flight Attendant told him that it's only for active drinking; not just holding the cup. Initially; he was dismissive of her instructions; but eventually he and his companion did put their masks up. By the end of the flight; he and the Flight Attendant had a respectful discussion about the policy.The Supervisor knew the first passenger had caused trouble yet boarded her anyway. Certainly the agent saw the other couple board while not complying with the mask policy.  I feel there still isn't enough specific guidance on mask usage.The airline needs to be very specific with passenger expectations regarding mask usage. It's a hot button issue and it creates division among the other (compliant) passengers which could lead to an inflight altercation and diversion. The mask policy is also creating a lot of chances for passengers' noncompliance with crew member instructions. People look for loopholes. The airline needs to be very blunt and specific; vs leaving it to the cabin crew to play the role of babysitter.  It distracts from their primary safety role.
Air carrier pilot reported being advised about a possible non-compliant passenger regarding mask wear.