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A flight attendant impersonator scammed tickets for more than 120 flights
A flight attendant impersonator scammed tickets for more than 120 flights

Toronto Sun

time5 hours ago

  • Toronto Sun

A flight attendant impersonator scammed tickets for more than 120 flights

Published Jun 13, 2025 • 3 minute read A woman presses the call button of a flight attendant on an airplane. Photo by Getty Images A 35-year-old man was convicted last week of scoring free airline flights by posing as a flight attendant dozens of times since 2018. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Tiron Alexander was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport under false pretenses. Authorities said he took advantage of airline policies that allow pilots and flight attendants on competing carriers to fly free as 'non-revenue' passengers. According to the U.S. attorney's office, he fraudulently booked more than 120 flights on four airlines to Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other destinations. Of those flights, 34 were on Spirit Airlines. In a news release, prosecutors said he claimed to work for seven airlines, providing about 30 badge numbers and dates of hire to book flights through a website available only to flight crew. He still had to provide his name and birth date to get a boarding pass. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That information is how he was ultimately caught, with his fraudulently secured flights piling up in Spirit's log books until it was large enough for the airline to take notice,' court documents say. The Transportation Security Administration said it started investigating Alexander in 2023. 'While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers,' the agency said in a statement. 'TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A federal grand jury handed down the indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in October, but Alexander wasn't taken into custody until February. He was arrested trying to fly from San Francisco to Australia, according to court records. Alexander most recently worked for American Airlines in customer service, court documents say, but had been suspended without pay for about a year when he was arrested. His employment history, as detailed in filings, shows a long interest in aviation. He worked as a flight attendant for two regional airlines between 2013 and 2015. He had since tried to return to the skies, applying to the Alaska Airlines pilot academy in 2022 and for flight attendant jobs at Alaska and Delta in 2024. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Prosecutors declined to comment; Alexander's public defenders did not respond to emails requesting comment Wednesday. Alexander was convicted of four counts of wire fraud, each of which could carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, and one count of entering a secure airport area under false pretenses, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years. Each count can also come with a top fine of $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August, according to the Justice Department's news release. It is not the first time a flier has pulled one over on an airline. Con man Frank Abagnale Jr. said he posed as a pilot as a teenager for free flights, a feat that got him portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie 'Catch Me if You Can.' A man in India tried to gain his own pilot perks with a fake ID before being arrested in 2019. And a Houston man who had previously worked for an airline pleaded guilty to making false identity cards to get free flights on Spirit in 2021. 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Guy Scores 120 Free Flights by Posing as Flight Attendant Before Getting Busted
Guy Scores 120 Free Flights by Posing as Flight Attendant Before Getting Busted

Gizmodo

time7 hours ago

  • Gizmodo

Guy Scores 120 Free Flights by Posing as Flight Attendant Before Getting Busted

From the 'God forbid a man have hobbies' file, the Department of Justice announced this week that a gentleman who posed as a flight attendant and scored more than 100 free flights over the course of six years has been convicted of wire fraud and entering into a secure area of an airport under false pretenses. In a plot that frankly doesn't seem that wild if you watched the most recent season of Nathan Fielder's 'The Rehearsal,' 35-year-old Tiron Alexander allegedly managed to secure flights that were supposed to only be available to pilots and flight attendants. According to the Department of Justice, Alexander was able to book the flights by falsifying employment information and providing badge numbers that apparently allowed him to bypass the security of the online booking options for airline employees. Alexander's primary victim was a single airline, through which he allegedly booked 34 different flights. He submitted documentation showing that he worked for seven different airlines and reportedly provided more than 30 different badge numbers over the course of his bookings. He was also able to duplicate the process that let him fly for free as a faux employee across three more airlines, ultimately booking a total of 120 free flights between 2018 and 2024. NBC News reported that, according to court documents, Alexander does (or did) work for an airline—one that is headquartered in Dallas, which would include Southwest Airlines and American Airlines on the passenger side and Ameristar Jet Charter and Flexjet on the cargo/charter flight side. He reportedly started working there in 2015, but at no point was he a flight attendant or a pilot during his time at the company. The Transportation Security Administration was involved in investigating the case that was eventually brought to court, according to the Department of Justice. None of the airlines that got caught up in Alexander's scheming were mentioned in the announcement, which is not surprising, as they are likely pretty embarrassed about the whole thing. It doesn't exactly speak highly of the security protocols they have in place. Of course, neither does the fact that Nathan Fielder was able to get people to follow airline employees around for days to study their behavior for a comedy show, so, not exactly a banner year for the airline industry. We also keep having communication blackouts at air traffic control centers around the country, for what it's worth. While he has been convicted, the man is still waiting to see what his penalty will be. A judge will rule on Alexander's sentencing on August 25.

Fake Flight Attendant Fools US Airlines For 120 Free Flights Over Six Years
Fake Flight Attendant Fools US Airlines For 120 Free Flights Over Six Years

NDTV

time10 hours ago

  • NDTV

Fake Flight Attendant Fools US Airlines For 120 Free Flights Over Six Years

A US man who fraudulently posed as a flight attendant for six years and managed to book over 120 free flights has been convicted by a federal jury. The man, identified as 35-year-old Tiron Alexander, availed the free flights between 2018 and 2024 across multiple major US airlines, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. Alexander accessed the websites reserved for flight crew to book the free flights using employee benefits. Free flights for crew members are a longstanding industry perk, also known as non-revenue travel. The indictment revealed that although Alexander worked for an airline since November 2015, he was never a flight attendant or a pilot. He is now being charged with wire fraud and entering into a secure area of an airport by false pretences. The carriers named in court documents include American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. He flew 34 flights on one airline by pretending to be a flight attendant or staff member by using 30 different badge numbers and dates of hire to book his no-cost flights. "The evidence at trial also showed that Alexander posed as a flight attendant on three other airline carriers. Ultimately, Alexander booked more than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant," read a statement by the US attorney's office. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released a statement, stating it was pleased with the verdict. "While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers," the TSA said. "TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws." The maximum sentence for wire fraud is 20 years in prison, and 10 years for entering the secure airport areas under false pretences. Both charges carry a maximum of three years of supervised release and a Rs 2.15 crore ($250,000) fine.

Man Flew Free 120 Times, Now Convicted
Man Flew Free 120 Times, Now Convicted

Gulf Insider

time12 hours ago

  • Gulf Insider

Man Flew Free 120 Times, Now Convicted

A man was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport under false pretenses after posing as a flight attendant to obtain dozens of free flights over six years, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida said in a June 10 statement. Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for wire fraud and up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for entering the airport's secure is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25. According to an October 2024 indictment, Alexander worked for an unnamed airline from Nov. 30, 2015 onwards, though his role was not disclosed. The indictment states that he was never a flight attendant or pilot. At the time of his employment at the airline, airline pilots and flight attendants were entitled to certain travel privileges based on their position, seniority, and tenure, the indictment states. 'These privileges included the ability to obtain no-cost flight reservations on their employer airline and other airlines with which their employer airline maintained reciprocal interline travel agreements,' the indictment states. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2018 and 2024, Alexander posed as a flight attendant for airlines and booked free flights on an airline carrier's website that were reserved solely for pilots and flight attendants. Alexander booked and flew on 34 flights with one airline without paying for them, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement. 'Over the 34 flights, Alexander claimed through the airline carrier's website application process—a process that required an applicant to select whether they were a pilot or flight attendant and provide their employer, date of hire, and badge number information—that he worked for seven different airlines and had approximately 30 different badge numbers and dates of hire,' the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Evidence presented at trial showed Alexander also posed as a flight attendant on three other airline carriers. In total, Alexander booked more than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. According to the indictment, Alexander entered a secure area of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Broward County on or about July 22, 2020. The Transportation Security Administration investigated Alexander's case. It is unclear when Alexander was arrested or if he has legal representation. The Epoch Times contacted the Department of Justice for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. Also read: Trump Administration Launches Website For 'Gold Card' Visas / Citizenship

Legal status revoked, flight attendant fraud, life as an amateur golfer: Catch up on the day's stories
Legal status revoked, flight attendant fraud, life as an amateur golfer: Catch up on the day's stories

CNN

time16 hours ago

  • CNN

Legal status revoked, flight attendant fraud, life as an amateur golfer: Catch up on the day's stories

5 Things Aviation news Golf FacebookTweetLink 👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! A man accused of falsely posing as a flight attendant so he could fly for free was convicted of fraud. Tiron Alexander claimed to have worked for seven different airlines and had booked more than 100 flights, authorities said. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day. 1️⃣ CNN exclusive: The Department of Homeland Security told hundreds of thousands of migrants that their permission to live and work in the US had been revoked and that they should leave the country. The termination notice was sent to nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. 2️⃣ Tense times: The Los Angeles ICE raids sparked protests that have spread to other cities across the country, and more than 1,800 'No Kings' demonstrations are planned for Saturday. President Donald Trump is determined not to let that ruin his military parade. 3️⃣ Pulse memorial: Families and survivors have waited nine years for a memorial in honor of the 49 victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. The lack of progress has been a source of frustration, but now the city is moving forward with plans. 4️⃣ 'Super weird': An accidental discovery might change how we think about one of the most mysterious structures in our solar system. A planetarium show in New York City revealed something strange within the Oort Cloud. 5️⃣ Dream come true: Golfer Justin Hastings made his major championship debut at the Masters when he was 21. Now he's competing at the US Open. Hastings explained what it's like to be an amateur at one of the sport's greatest events. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. 🪵 Feeling knotty: A man was seen dumping wooden boards onto the road in front of police vehicles during a high-speed chase in Ohio. His truck later caused a six-vehicle collision — but no life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. • US senator forcibly removed from Noem news conference about LA protests• At least one survivor in Air India crash that killed 290 people• The FBI raided the wrong house. The Supreme Court says the family is allowed to sue 🩺 That's how many CDC employees the Department of Health and Human Services is reinstating after they were fired as part of a massive reorganization in April. 🖼️ Reviving a masterpiece: A treasured painting of Hercules and Omphale was damaged during the 2020 explosion in Beirut, and restoring it required more than three years of painstaking work. Now it's on display in Los Angeles. I always felt like I didn't have enough. Janet Blaser 💬 No regrets: The single mother of three was 'living paycheck to paycheck' in California when she decided to move to Mexico nearly 20 years ago. She says Mazatlán feels like home now. 🎵 Paul McCartney and others paid tribute to Brian Wilson, who died at age 82. Which popular group was Wilson part of?A. The DoorsB. The ByrdsC. Pink FloydD. The Beach Boys⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. 🥪 Hungry? When faced with a craving, there's hardly a country on the planet that doesn't turn to some type of bread with something stuffed inside it. To fuel your next transatlantic trip, here are 25 of the world's best sandwiches. 👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: D. Brian Wilson co-founded The Beach Boys and was the creative force behind the group's surf sound.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN's Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Morgan Severson.

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