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A man caught impersonating a pilot was arrested after he boarded a plane scheduled to fly from Philadelphia International Airport to West Palm Beach, Fla, authorities said.
Philippe Jernnard, 61, of France, boarded the US Airways flight Wednesday night, according to the FBI.
NBC10's Rosemary Connors talked with airport police Capt. Michael Murphy who says that Jernnard was wearing an Air France shirt, had an Air France bag and presented a ticket to the gate agent and walked onto the plane.
Jernnard does not work for Air France, the airline said in a statement released Friday. "This person was not wearing an Air France uniform, badge or carrying an Air France crew baggage," the statement said. "Regarding the badge, it was a very poor fake badge, which in no way resembled the Air France Crew Member Certificate."
The gate agent told authorities that Jernnard had asked if there was any room in first class and was told "no."
According to the arrest report, Jernnard became irate after being told "no" and told her that he hated Americans and began to argue with her.
When the gate agent finished boarding the flight and went to close the plane's doors for takeoff, the arrest report states that she saw Jernnard sitting in the jump seat behind the captain's seat and his carry-on bag was stowed in the cockpit.
“She just assumes he takes his seat in coach and when she goes in to inform co-captain of the number of passengers on the flight that’s when she kind of recognizes he’s out of place,” said Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker.
According to the arrest report, the agent told Jernnard that he couldn't sit there unless he filled out paperwork and the captain told him to return to his assigned seat.
Police say Jernnard started arguing and that's when they notified authorities.
The captain and first officer told authorities the man told them he was a pilot with Air France and knew how to fly 747s, but they became suspicious when he couldn't figure out how to open the jump seat.
After Jernnard was taken off the plane, police found an Air France ID card that had been changed to match his name.
Jernnard was arrested and charged with criminal trespass, tampering with records, impersonating a person privately employed and false ID to law enforcement. He will be charged federally Friday morning.
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Wow, it's hard to believe that people would actually try such a thing. What an idiot...
I can fly "747's! Hey, how do you open this thing?! LOL.
I'm surprised he got that far though. Just the fact that he said he hates Americans, says that he may have had something else planned when the plane was in flight. Never know man...
This may have been an inadvertent thwarted tragedy......
He's obiously not an Abagnale.
I am glad he was stupid in his attempt and failed. I don't know what his plan was, but it could not have been good! Did he know that he was in America? Dumbass!!
"Impersonating a person privately employed" LOL! "I hate Americans, they never let me pay coach and fly as a pilot."
Has anyone noticed how much this guy looks like Robert Stack?
"He's all over the place! 900 feet up to 1,300 feet. What an @!$%#!"
"Jernnard became irate after being told "no" and told her that he hated Americans"
He should have NEVER been allowed on the plane.
If hating Americans is grounds for being kicked off a plane, how do people like Romney ever get to fly?
Lib idiot, go back to the porch and wait on your gov. check.
Actually, policy for interline travel (employees of one airline flying with another at a discounted rate) is quite strict. Rules of etiquette emote respect, cooperation, and complete adherence to all instructions given by airline employees of the airline the guest is flying ... if these requirements are not met, the host airline may deny passage to the guest. Airline employees who travel interline are aware of this. As is mentioned by another poster, it IS surprising that the employees of the US Airways flight were tolerant enough of this usurper to allow him to board.
What surprises me is that the Captain was going to allow an Air France jumpseater in the cockpit. USAirways does not have reciprocal jumpseat agreements with Air France, and foreign aviators are NEVER allowed to ride in US cockpits.
He had a coach ticket. He should never have been allowed in the cockpit. What good are reinforced doors if they are left open?
LOL!! Definitely no Frank Abegnale.
RL56
You conservatives are the ones sucking on the government teat. Go look at some stats! Red stats are the ones taking government money, while blue states are forking out! No wonder the rich Conservatives (Koch brothers, Romney, etc) like to live in blue states - can not stand the stench of hypocrisy!
they should have issued him a "ROACH" seat and tossed his virmin ass overboard at 30.000 ft
a "frog" in the "jump" seat. imagine that.
Some of you have serious problems. How do you turn a story about a fake pilot political?
Ban jump seats...and politics too
The story says he said he hates Americans.
I bet he'll hate us more from his jail cell.
Regarding the jump seat, the ones I am aware of are aft of the bulkhead separating the cockpit from the cabin. In other words they aren't in the same place as the pilots.
The only personnel I've ever seen in the jumpseat are flight attendants, usually because the flight is booked and none of the passenger seats are available.
Disclaimer, I don't know that they don't have a jump seat in the cockpit of this aircraft.
Either way, I have "a reasonable doubt" that the captain or first officer would have let him ride in the cockpit.
inMyday
Most, if not all, commercial aircraft have a jump seat in the cockpit. You may not have seen it as it is hidden from view in most cockpits when the door is open. As someone else posted, I'm surprised the Captain even let him in the cockpit, besides for a brief visit, without all the paperwork having been completed in advance.
Willie- There is a part of the population that will try to turn ANYTHING political... they are the truly demented.
That is beyond scary ........how he manage to get to the plane with fake ID ,when he ask for a special seat or first class ( to be specific ) ticket-er should have ask more questions about his position as a uniformed personnel .But I guess common sense it's vanishing away this days, in any place where it's supposed to be .....
Now he will really have a good taste of americans .
hey tex, have you notices that there is no sign saying "place political comment here". Idiot.
There are actually jumpseats on the flight deck. you generally don't see them because there are against a wall. Most airline employees flying stand-by or space available are in uniform and are the last ones boarded based on availability. I have never seen a flight attendant or any other airline employee sitting in a jumpseat at the bulkhead / galley area. These are used for the flight crew that is working that flight so that they can sit during take off , landing and rough air.
@ Pat .....I believe you should spit the venom somewhere else....No one said anything about political view or party for that matter ,for once "Be happy of your whatever party you are affiliated and leave us alone ".
Far as I know this land of opportunity is equal to everyone to get rich and famous ,what have you done to get there .....? may be "Welfare "not that my dear it will keep you jealous for ever .
This forum has good comments, from those who know some ,safety rules and reg. on flying which interests us that we fly a lot ,for our own knowledge and precautions .
ExWX,
Thanks much for the info.
Have a good day.
Thanks also, tx gator. I've seen flight attendants on the aft facing jumpseat located near the hatch, more than a few times.
Maybe "bulkhead" refers to something other than the structure on which this jumpseat is mounted. Anything larger than a Piper Warrior or a 172 is out of my league as anyone other than a passenger.
Thanks again.
If he thinks he hates Americans now just wait until he tries jail food and meets his cell mate Tyrone.
TO: Bob-2047897 who wrote:
lol
TO: Willie McCoy who wrote:
Easier than you might think. lol
BAD HAIR Day!
here you go pat since your too stupid of a lib to look it up.
The BIGGEST US WELFARE STATES
–Year Researched Data———2009————-2007————2008———-2009
State——-% of Pop on Welfare—–Spending on Welfare—-Total on Welfare—–Unemp
#1. California……………3.30%………………$3.28 BILLION………..1,212,893…….11.5%
#2. Maine………………..2.37%……………….$61.73 MILLION………..31,148……….8.3%
#3. Tennessee………….2.15%……………..$91.28 MILLION……….133,505……….10.7%
#4. Massachusetts…….2.09%…………….$295.29 MILLION………136,033………8.2%
#5. Vermont…………….2.02%……………..$30.92 MILLION………..12,543……..7.3%
#6. Wash DC…………..1.99%……………….$18.67 MILLION………..11,806………..10.7%
#7. New York…………..1.92%………………$1.47 BILLION…………..373,305………8.2%
#8. Minnesota…………..1.88%………………$106.29 MILLION………98,028…….8.2%
#9. Washington…………1.86%………………$265.88 MILLION……121,864……..9.4%
#10. New Mexico……….1.83%………………$58.87 MILLION…….36,322…………..6.5%
#11. Indiana……………..1.83%………………..$102.27 MILLION…..116,430……….10.6%
#12. Rhode Island……..1.79%……………….$57.4 MILLION…………..18,839…………..12.1%
#13. Michigan…………..1.60%………………..$380.93 MILLION……….164,589………14.1%
#14.Pennsylvania……….1.60%………………$247.29 MILLION………198,666…………8.2%
#15. Oregon…………….1.55%………………….$83.85 MILLION……….58,831………….12.4%
I'm a retired AF pilot with over 5000 hours, most of which were in 4 engine jets. After retirement I went to work for an airline in a non-flying position but I was required to fly 3 or 4 times a week. After 9/11 there was no way I could get a flight crew position jump seat just aft of the two pilots. Before 9/11 it was possible with the captain's permission
Too bad about this guy hating Americans.
First Class Moron
Could NOT read the article. Someone got the bright idea to place a Barclay's Bank ad over the main part of the article and there was NO way to close it nor move it.
If he had just taken his seat in coach he could have kept drinking, for a nominal fee....
It is better to be internationally humiliated and thought a terrorist, or at the very least a fool than to ride in coach!
Sounds like he is hallucinating and on some type of drug that is putting wierd things into his head. I would not think any normal person would even attempt to do something as stupid as his actions. He is mentally messed up somehow, it would be interesting to know if he has always been this way or it is a change in his personality for some reason. I am glad to see he was arrested and taken off the airplane, the guy needs something other than a jail cell though too.
he's French, that's all you need to know.
Yep. He should have been charged with being French. Maybe he misunderstood the meaning of "cock" pit.
Those comments about being French are not worthy of your keyboards, that's racisim. Shall we all start making jokes about England's people and Jerrybob's Southern roots (just a funny, but your "joke" kind-of put you into that category)?
Mykid .......... French is not a race !!!
Typical Frenchman, surrenders before he actually does anything.
French is a Nationality not a race.
the French are different....they like jerry lewis;-)
LOL. Actually a year or so we got into JL-movies, it was kind of fun but don't tell anyone. Shhhh.
I sometimes play the Jerry Lewis Telethon box set over and over.
GM Sir, He actually IS pretty funny! Have a great day. Oh, man it is early, I just caught the telethon line. And you are too.
gm SP! Best regards.
Give him the maximum penalty! Send him back to France.
Where the @%$#^ was TSA? They'll harrass old people and small handcapped children but heaven forbid they check someone that LOOKS important!
He was wearing his "pilot costume". The TSA people can spot a cute lady they'd like to grope, in a heartbeat. But they'll let anybody in a "pilot" suit go through.
Actually jerryb, aircrew also go through TSA checks. Wearing a "pilot costume" does not get you through any easier, sometimes it's even worse. But, he had already gone through TSA security, and was on board the aircraft. Flight attendant thought he had gone to his seat, in coach, when she turned around, and then pilot informed her about this character.
There is a lot NOT being mentioned in this article, and I'm sure U.S. Airways is "evaluating" its policies on cabin door and crew procedures now.
Frosty, there was no reason for TSA to have stopped him. He had a boarding pass and went through the checkpoint, just like everyone else.
Frosty, my apologies, I was responding to wagewatcher
He may hate Americans, but who knows, he may develop a certain fondness for his cell mate over the years.
I am rather surprised that he even got past the jetway door. I am employed at one of the legacy carriers and we have a system in place that we check in the computer right at the podium at the gate to validate any potential jumpseat riders no matter what airline he works for. If he does not come up in the system with his picture then he is denied boarding. There have even been cases where we have a legit crew member that is maybe a new-hire with his airline that does not come up in the system and even then he would be denied boarding. As far as first class they are not permitted but that too maybe overlooked sometimes but we would offer the upgrade first to our own employees or their family members or buddy pass riders but after that, if it even gets to that point, he maybe upgraded only if he is cool with the gate agents but if your an #$shole you may be denied boarding the aircraft period.
He had purchased a ticket and produced it at the gate before boarding the plane...
Inspector Clouseau?
CHIEF Inspector.
that is just funny, i needed that on a friday, thanks.
You say he's a complete jerk ? And he is also from France ? Well there's a shock. What are the odds. ( sarcasm )
I know i'm shocked myself.
My thought exactly...a Frenchman who hates Americans...who'da thunk it? LOL
What a oui-nie.
I don't get it,"he presented a ticket at the gate", so what was he trying to do? He purchased a ticket, so it wasn't a free deadhead scam, was it just so he could sit in the cockpit?
Oh those whacky French.
What the hell, we have fake patriots in the Republican Party acting like they can run the country.
What the hell, we have a Dem. that thinks he can run the country and where has it gotten us ?
tex & Al...both FAIL for bringing politics into this!
that's a switch, a Frenchman who hates Americans, hope he realizes it's him not everyone else, he has it backwards, it's everyone else in the world that hates the French.
Gee, I don't hate the French. I just feel sorry for their misguided arrogance. :)
Ten bucks says he only gets Time served, 5 years probation, put on the no fly list to America and a free ticket back to France because his Government is working on his release right now.
This person is a POS and I will be happy when he is out of our country.
Let him face his Government for having fake ID's ETC.
Make him take a boat back to Europe.
Make him take a Carnival cruise back to Europe.
lol, can't have a nail clipper, but this guy strolls right on thru to the cockpit.
Stupid is a Stupid does.
What a bloody idiot he is ! Not only does he try to fool the American authorities but he also give a deplorable image of the French by telling them he hates America. What the f**k was he doing in the States in the first place ? I hope he spends some time in a US jail in the States, then in a french cell !
What surprises me is that the Captain was going to allow an Air France jumpseater in the cockpit. USAirways does not have reciprocal jumpseat agreements with Air France, and foreign aviators are NEVER allowed to ride in US cockpits.
Someone should send a memo to all USAirways pilots. Attention: DO NOT ALLOW ANY FOREIGN PILOTS (FAKE OF OTHERWISE) IN THE COCKPIT!
Wow, so it's that easy for someone to high jack a plane! Have we not learned anything from 911?!
@ Jules.....that what exactly what I was thinking while this people makes jokes about it .....I understand it's funny but in reality it's scary .I fly very often and to me this unacceptable ,from safety stand point of view .
Another crazy frog
I'm pretty sure this was the guy I saw in the US Airways terminal Wednesday afternoon. He tried to get a drink at the China Bistro. The manager told him pilots were not allowed at the bar (duh). As I overheard them arguing, I was thinking...I don't want to fly Air France if they think it's ok to drink before they fly. He sat at a table and got some white wine, but had several strange, agitated interactions with the manager. I remember thinking was really hoping this wasn't the captain of the flight. Glad he wasn't even a pilot!
Hope you take the opportunity to act as a witness in this case. You might be able to provide valuable information to the authorities. Might help improve air safety in some way....
Great......but hey we can carry on our knives! Some security we have!!!!!!