In an incident reminiscent of the movie “Catch Me If You Can” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a former flight attendant in the US flew for free for four years using a fraudulent staff ID. It was revealed that the individual requested to travel in the “jump seat”—the seats specifically reserved for crew members. According to court documents, Pokornik exploited staff privileges to deceive three major US airlines, completing hundreds of free flights. Despite having no pilot’s license, Pokornik managed to move through the aviation system undetected for four years. Key Details of the Case
Exploited gaps in airline employee databases and ID verification processes.
After appearing before a judge in Hawaii on Tuesday, Pokornik pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, the individual faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The investigation is currently being handled by US authorities, and the trial is expected to continue in March.
