A man from Texas has been arrested for using a photo of another passenger’s boarding pass to sneak aboard a flight from Salt Lake City to Austin. The man, Wicliff Fleurizard, admitted to making a mistake and claimed he was just trying to get home. He had taken a photo of a boarding pass belonging to an unaccompanied minor and used it to board the plane. Security footage showed him taking photos of other passengers’ tickets in the boarding area.
Fleurizard’s plan began to unravel when the girl whose boarding pass he had used tried to board the plane and was told she was already onboard. Flight attendants became suspicious of Fleurizard’s behavior once he was on the plane, as he spent a lot of time in the lavatory while other passengers boarded. When confronted by the crew, he pointed to an occupied seat as his, but it was not legitimate. The plane was then returned to the gate and Fleurizard was met by authorities.
Fleurizard claimed he had been on a snowboarding trip in Park City, Utah and was trying to get home to meet visiting relatives from Florida. He had been attempting to use a “buddy pass,” a discounted standby ticket for airline employees to share with friends and family, to board a Southwest Airlines flight. After being rejected from two overbooked flights, he went to the Delta gate instead. Fleurizard now faces federal charges for stowing away on an airplane.
Delta Airlines has stated that they are cooperating with law enforcement and relevant federal agencies in the investigation of the incident. They have deferred any further questions to law enforcement. Fleurizard’s actions have drawn attention to the vulnerabilities in the airline boarding process and the potential security risks associated with people attempting to board flights using fake or stolen boarding passes.
In conclusion, the man’s attempt to board a flight using a stolen boarding pass has resulted in his arrest and facing federal charges. The incident has raised concerns about the security of the boarding process, prompting Delta Airlines to collaborate with law enforcement to investigate the matter. It serves as a reminder of the importance of strict security protocols at airports to prevent unauthorized individuals from boarding flights. Airlines will likely review their policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
