It’s “Catch Me If You Can” all over again.
A young man posing as a Cathay Pacific pilot was detained in Malaysia after attempting to order an alcoholic beverage during a flight from Hong Kong.
On March 31, the man, whose name has not been released, dressed in a pilot’s uniform and was able to board a Dragonair flight (a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific) from Hong Kong to Penang using an identification document that reportedly had official Cathay Pacific markings, reports The Standard. He allegedly told crew members he had been traveling on duty for the airline, after completing a long-haul flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.
The young man, who is believed to be between the ages of 18 to 20, flew flight KA691 to Penang but during the trip, airline crew became suspicious when he started taking a lot of photos during meal service. When he ordered a Bloody Mary, the fake pilot was given a non-alcoholic version of the drink.
About 30 minutes before the flight landed, crew members asked the pretend pilot for verification. He told them his documents were secured in his checked luggage. Once the plane landed, staff again asked for identification and after he was unable to procure the proper documents, Dragonair staff alerted airport security who escorted the man off the passenger boarding bridge.
The man was not permitted to enter Malaysia and was immediately sent back to Hong Kong. Hong Kong airport police have since received a report about the incident but no arrest has been made.
A Dragonair spokesman told The Standard that it is currently investigating the incident:
"We have stringent security measures in place. Non-operating cockpit crew and unauthorized persons are strictly prohibited from access to the cockpit."
Some cabin crew members reportedly told authorities that they believe the young man has attempted this stunt before.
Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more.