Toronto resident Dallas Pokornik, 33, is accused of impersonating airline crew to obtain hundreds of free flights over four years. Authorities say he used a fraudulent employee ID and even sought cockpit jumpseat access without a pilot certificate. Pokornik was indicted on Oct. 2, arrested in Panama, extradited to the U.S., and now faces federal investigation and potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
Toronto Man Allegedly Posed as Pilot to Score Hundreds of Free Flights, Prosecutors Say
A figure at Toronto Pearson international airport. Dallas Pokornik was reportedly a flight attendant for a Toronto-based airline between 2017 and 2019.Photograph: Arlyn McAdorey/Toronto Star/Getty(Photograph: Arlyn McAdorey/Toronto Star/Getty)
A Toronto man, 33-year-old Dallas Pokornik, has been charged with wire fraud after prosecutors say he impersonated airline crew for years to obtain hundreds of complimentary flights from three major U.S. carriers.
Allegations and Method
Authorities in Hawaii say Pokornik used a former employer’s employee identification to request standby travel over a roughly four-year period. Court filings allege he knew the IDs were fraudulent when presented to airline staff. Airlines commonly offer standby privileges to their own employees and to crew from other carriers so staff can be repositioned between cities; prosecutors say Pokornik exploited that system.
Jumpseat Request and Safety Rules
On at least one occasion, Pokornik is accused of requesting a cockpit jumpseat — a seat normally reserved for off-duty pilots — despite not holding a pilot’s license or an airman’s certificate. Federal rules restrict jumpseat access for non-crew and prohibit their use for leisure travel, citing safety and security concerns.
Employment Status and Verification
According to court records, Pokornik worked as a flight attendant for a Toronto-based airline from 2017 to 2019. It is unclear how he continued to persuade carriers he was an active employee after leaving the industry. Industry practice typically requires employees to present a government-issued ID along with a company badge or a database-linked employee card that includes a photo and employment verification, though verification practices can vary, particularly for leisure travel.
Arrest, Extradition and Investigation
Pokornik was indicted on Oct. 2 and later arrested in Panama. He was extradited to the United States, where the Department of Justice said the Department of Homeland Security is investigating the case in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service. Porter, the Toronto-based carrier mentioned in the filings, told reporters it was "unable to verify any information related to this story."
Potential Penalties
If convicted on the wire fraud charge, Pokornik faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to US$250,000.
Note: All charges are allegations. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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