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4d ago

Florida Man Convicted After Booking 120 Free Flights by Impersonating Flight Attendant

Exploiting staff-only travel portals over six years, he now faces a prison term to be decided this August.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as seen on Tuesday Sept. 7, 2021. A veteran police officer from Jamaica was indicted after attempting to smuggle close to 3 pounds of cocaine into South Florida, a federal grand jury says. (Susan Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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flight attendant wearing a florida man hat
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Overview

  • On June 5 a federal jury found Tiron Alexander guilty of wire fraud and fraudulently entering a secure airport area after posing as flight crew to book non-revenue flights.
  • Authorities determined Alexander flew at least 34 times on one carrier and booked more than 120 flights between 2018 and 2024 by submitting about 30 false badge numbers.
  • He falsely claimed employment with seven major airlines, including American, Spirit, United, Delta and Southwest, to tap into reciprocal staff travel benefits.
  • The Transportation Security Administration confirmed he cleared all standard ID checks and screenings but was arrested in February while attempting to fly from San Francisco to Australia.
  • He is scheduled for sentencing on August 25 and faces up to 20 years for wire fraud plus up to 10 years for entering secure airport areas under false pretenses.