Toronto Man Allegedly Posed as Pilot for Years to Secure Hundreds of Free Flights
In a case that has drawn comparisons to the Hollywood thriller Catch Me If You Can, a Toronto man is accused of posing as a pilot for several years to deceive airlines into providing him with hundreds of free flights. Prosecutors have levelled wire fraud charges against 33-year-old Dallas Pokornik, alleging a sophisticated scheme that spanned four years and targeted three major US carriers.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to court documents unsealed this week, Pokornik, who worked as a flight attendant for a Toronto-based airline between 2017 and 2019, allegedly continued to use an employee identification from that carrier long after his employment ended. Prosecutors claim he presented this ID to obtain standby tickets, "which he in fact knew to be fraudulent at the time it was so presented."
The indictment reveals that on at least one occasion, Pokornik went so far as to request a jumpseat in an aircraft's cockpit. These seats are typically reserved for off-duty pilots, and federal regulations strictly prohibit their use for leisure travel. Pokornik, who is not a licensed pilot and lacks an airman's certificate, allegedly managed to secure this privileged access.
Industry Practices and Security Loopholes
The aviation industry commonly offers standby tickets to its own employees and those from rival airlines, facilitating the efficient movement of staff across continents. However, this system relies on trust and verification.
Typically, employees must present a card linked to a secure database containing their photo and employment status, alongside government-issued identification, explained a flight attendant from a major Canadian airline. The rules are somewhat more relaxed for leisure travel, which may have created an opening exploited in this case.
It remains unclear how Pokornik convincingly maintained the facade of being an active flight attendant years after leaving the industry. Porter Airlines, the only Toronto-based carrier, stated it was "unable to verify any information related to this story" when contacted by reporters.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Pokornik was indicted on 2 October. Following his arrest in Panama, he was extradited to the United States to face charges. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security and the US Marshals Service are jointly investigating the matter.
If convicted on the wire fraud charge, Pokornik faces a severe penalty: up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The case highlights ongoing challenges in aviation security and the verification processes for industry perks.
