Fake Pilot & Flight Attendant Gets Free Flights | US News

Canadian Man Posed as Pilot and Flight Attendant to Obtain Hundreds of Free Flights

A brazen scheme involving a Canadian man who allegedly impersonated airline personnel to secure an estimated hundreds of free flights has been uncovered by U.S. authorities. The case, reminiscent of the film Catch Me If You can, highlights vulnerabilities in airline employee travel policies.

Dallas Pokornik, 33, of Toronto, was arrested in Panama and extradited to the United States, where he pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of wire fraud. The indictment was initially filed in a Hawaii federal court last October.

Years-Long Fraud unveiled

According to court documents,Pokornik previously worked as a flight attendant for a Toronto-based airline between 2017 and 2019. He then allegedly exploited a fake employee ID card from that airline to gain access to travel benefits – tickets reserved for pilots and flight attendants – on three separate U.S. carriers.

U.S. prosecutors revealed that Pokornik’s deception extended to requesting a seat in the cockpit’s “booster seat,” typically reserved for off-duty pilots traveling as passengers.While it remains unconfirmed whether he actually occupied the cockpit during flights, the U.S. attorney’s Office has declined to comment on this specific aspect of the investigation.

Did you know? – Airline employee travel benefits, known as “non-rev” travel, are a perk frequently enough used by industry workers and their families, but are subject to space availability.

Airlines Remain Silent

The indictment identifies the airlines involved as being based in Honolulu, Chicago, and Fort worth, Texas. Representatives for Hawaiian Airlines,United Airlines,and american Airlines – the carriers based in those cities – did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

the identity of the original Toronto-based airline remains undisclosed. Air Canada, headquartered in Montreal wiht a significant hub in Toronto, stated Wednesday that it has no record of anyone named Dallas Pokornik ever being employed by the company.

Pro tip – Travelers should always verify the credentials of airline personnel if something seems amiss. Reporting suspicious activity to a crew member is encouraged.

Detention and Ongoing Investigation

Prosecutors in Hawaii estimate the fraudulent activity spanned four years. On Tuesday, a judge ordered Pokornik to be held in detention pending further legal proceedings. His legal counsel has not yet issued a statement regarding the case.

The accusations against Pokornik echo the story of Frank Abagnale, the subject of the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can, who successfully posed as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while committing large-scale fraud. This case underscores the potential for complex individuals to exploit vulnerabilities in security protocols,even within highly regulated industries like aviation.

Why: Dallas pokornik allegedly defrauded airlines to obtain free flights.
Who: Dallas Pokornik, 33, of Toronto, is the accused. Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines were the airlines involved.
What: Pokornik allegedly used a fake employee ID from a former Toronto-based airline to access travel benefits on U.S. carriers,resulting in hundreds of free flights. He also requested a cockpit booster seat.
How did it end?: Pokornik was arrested in Panama, extradited to the U.S., and pleaded not guilty to wire fraud.He is currently being held in detention pending further legal proceedings. The investigation is ongoing, and the airlines involved have not yet commented.