Just call him Frank Abagnale, Jr. A French man impersonating a pilot was arrested at Philadelphia International Airport after boarding a US Airways flight to Palm Beach, FL on Wednesday night. According to airport police, 61-year-old Philippe Jernnard was wearing an Air France shirt and carrying an Air France bag when he showed a gate agent a ticket and boarded the plane.
The arrest report states that Jernnard flipped out when he was told he couldn't have a first class seat, screaming that he hated Americans. After the gate agent finished boarding the flight, she noticed Jernnard sitting in the jump seat behind the captain with his carry-on bag in the cockpit. When he was told he'd have to fill out paperwork to sit there or return to his seat, he caused another scene.
According to the captain and first officer, Jernnard explained that he was an Air France pilot who knew how to fly 747s, but he gave himself away when he was unable to open the jump seat. When he was removed from the plane, police found an Air France identification card that had been altered to match his name.
Jennard was charged with tampering with records, criminal trespass, presenting false ID to law enforcement and impersonating a person privately employed.
[via NBC Philadelphia]
