This Fraudster Took Over 120 Free Flights by Posing as a Flight Attendant

An incident much like a Hollywood film is elevating questions with aviation safety. 

A person posing as a flight crew member took a number of flights, all whereas navigating via airports and safety checks. The reported fraudster was not too long ago discovered responsible of posing as a flight attendant, throughout as many as 4 airways, to take over 120 free or considerably discounted flights. 

The U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace within the Southern District of Florida tried a case towards the person, Tiron Alexander, 35, who was discovered responsible within the jury trial. 

The fraudulent flight attendant is at the moment scheduled for sentencing in August. The investigation was a collaboration between a number of federal companies together with the Division of Justice, Transportation Safety Administration, and different authorities. 

“The proof at trial additionally confirmed that Alexander posed as a flight attendant on three different airline carriers,” a Division of Justice information launch mentioned. “Finally, Alexander booked greater than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant.”

All the story has comparable notes to the famed Steven Spielberg-directed movie “Catch Me If You Can,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio. Within the movie, DiCaprio’s character, primarily based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., pretends to be an airline pilot and leap seats on totally different plane at no cost flights. 

The case is paying homage to different uncommon ways in which individuals have taken to hitch a trip on plane. All through the Nineties, dozens of individuals tried stowing in plane wheel wells, uncovered to the chilly air and low oxygen, at no cost worldwide flights. 

In Might, 57-year outdated Russian citizen Svetlana Dali was discovered responsible of sneaking onto a Delta flight, in keeping with NBC Information. The traveler made her well beyond safety and airline personnel who have been checking boarding tickets.

For vacationers seeking to grow to be flight attendants legally, and revel in a life within the sky with limitless free flights, airways periodically submit open requires purposes. For instance, Delta expanded its flight attendant roster in 2023 by internet hosting in-flight crew members with an internet kind and in-person studying occasions.