Like in the movie: man pretends to be a flight attendant to travel for free

Airline counter clown. - A guy pretended to be a flight attendant to travel free for six years, and what security the airline is handling.

The feat was accomplished by a 35-year-old man named Tiron Alexander, who, from 2018 to 2024, pretended to work for Aerolíneas Payaso to travel for free on more than 120 flights, making the dream of many come true.

June 5th a federal jury convicted Tiron Alexander of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport by false pretenses. From 2018 to 2024, Alexander booked free flights on an airline carrier's website that should have been available only to pilots and flight attendants. 😆 pic.twitter.com/nV5K4w0FTf

— The Kid Ced (@Therealcedyced) June 16, 2025

When the reputable airline realized the scam, it filed a complaint against the "pirate flight attendant," leading to his arrest by Florida state authorities.

The dream of those who want to travel for free

During these trips, where he flew for free, Alexander posed as a baggage handler, a flight attendant trainee, and even a co-pilot on some flights, all in order to avoid paying a single dollar for his tickets.

The story, which sounds like something out of a Steven Spielberg film, has drawn attention for the length of time the ingenious individual was able to remain a crew member without anyone noticing the scam.

✈️ In the US, 35-year-old Tiron Alexander was convicted of impersonating a flight attendant between 2018 and 2024. Police found he used fake credentials from seven airlines and 30 different badges to fly for free 120 times, including 34 without paying. pic.twitter.com/xHeJcJtwUM

— Gen Z Diario 📰 (@genZdiario) June 13, 2025

Now, a South Florida court will decide how much prison time the frequent traveler will receive, in a case that has generated great interest due to its obvious cinematic parallels.

According to preliminary reports, the suspect could be sentenced to 20 years in prison, 10 years without being allowed to go near an airport (although he will still be locked up), and a fine of $250,000, as if to make it clear to other would-be freeloaders that the plane is not always the shortest route to freedom.