PYOK has the story of how a former American Airlines flight attendant is fighting to get his job back, after he was caught trafficking migrants. I’ve gotta say, I feel really bad for him, given the circumstances.
In this post:
American flight attendant fired over unfortunate incident
In March 2025, American fired a veteran flight attendant, roughly five months after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a “security threat determination” against him. This meant he could no longer access secure parts of US airports unescorted, which is obviously an issue if you’re going to be a flight attendant.
What caused all of this? Well, in June 2023, the flight attendant was arrested, on suspicion of human trafficking of migrants into the United States. However, it’s not as nefarious as it might sound.
As a side hustle, the flight attendant worked as an international shipper for a USDA pet transportation company, and as part of that, he drove pets across the border between Mexico and the United States. He had done this for years without issue, until June 2023.
In an incident that changed his life, he was contacted by a new customer, to transport three animals from Mexico to San Antonio, Texas. The flight attendant said that things started to feel off when the customer kept changing the pick-up location, eventually deciding on a pick-up in Eagle Pass, Texas, because it would be cheaper than transporting the animals over the border (meaning he’d just be transporting them within the United States).
Here’s how this situation unfolded, according to the flight attendant:
“When I finally arrived, I was horrified to discover that the ‘animals’ were actually people. I was completely blindsided. My first instinct was to refuse transport, but I quickly received a threatening phone call claiming that the passengers were illegal immigrants, and that if I tried to alert law enforcement or leave, I would be arrested and sent to jail. Under extreme stress and fear, I made the wrong decision to drive, something I regret deeply.”
He ended up being pulled over by law enforcement, and fully cooperated during the arrest and subsequent investigation. Thanks to this, in October 2023, the criminal case was dropped against him. Clearly that reflects that he was being honest in sharing that he didn’t intend to do this, and had no part in the scheme.
While he had been temporarily suspended from his job during the arrest and investigation, he was allowed to return to work when the criminal case was dropped.
However, roughly a year after returning to work, in November 2024, the TSA issued the security threat determination for him, which got in the way of him being able to perform his job. Then in March 2025, he was fired from the airline.
He filed an appeal, but that hasn’t gotten anywhere, and he feels that the process has been unfairly biased:
“This TSA determination has placed an unlawful and unjustified hold on my professional aviation credentials, despite the fact that I am otherwise eligible to pass background checks required for law enforcement, military enlistment, school employment, and even a license to carry a firearm.”
“I understand and respect the TSA’s duty to protect national security, but I am not a threat. I made a terrible mistake under duress, but I have learned an invaluable lesson. I want nothing more than to return to my career, rebuild my life, and move forward as a law-abiding citizen.”
I hope this guy is able to get his job back
I think there’s value in bringing attention to this story, in hopes that he can have the security threat determination against him dropped. This isn’t political, and we don’t need to talk about the topic of immigration.
This guy was doing a legitimate job of transporting animals, and had been doing it for years. He then found himself in a really unfortunate situation, and domestically transported migrants rather than animals. I think many people finding themselves in the same situation would’ve acted similarly. He even had all charges dropped against him, which clearly reflects that he was found to be innocent.
The government often moves slowly, so it’s interesting how he ended up getting the security threat determination against him over a year after charges were dropped. It sure feels like that’s because there was some bureaucrat who wasn’t considering the totality of updated evidence, and was looking at the case based on old information.
Heck, in early 2017, I found myself on some sort of a government watchlist, presumably based on my travel patterns. Ultimately it took me quite some time, but I managed to get a redress number, so that I wasn’t always subjected to extra security screening at the airport. Obviously this is a little different, but I think the idea is similar, of how these lists sometimes don’t reflect actual, current threats.
Bottom line
A veteran American flight attendant has lost his job, after the TSA issued a “security threat determination” against him, meaning he can no longer access the airside portion of an airport. He had a side gig as a pet transporter, but in June 2023, he found himself in a situation where he was instead transporting migrants.
Obviously American has done nothing wrong here — the airline can’t do anything to keep him employed if he remains on this list. However, you’d hope that the TSA would be able to reverse its decision with this guy, especially if he otherwise has a clean record. Hopefully this getting a bit of attention will help him get off this list, and allow him to get his job back.
What do you make of this American flight attendant situation?
How is he a flight attendant. They really tried sensationalizing this using flight attendant when clearly this is not the duties of a flight attendant
They will not restore his job
It happened like this in AirIndia chennai
Airport (MAA) he was not FA he was airport traffic staff in the departure hall
He helped a LTTE affiliated pax
This was noticed by airport police
Who arrested him reported to
CBI (counter part of FBI)
Who took over the case the case went
On for years and finally he was dismissed
It is very risky to escape from such problem
"When I finally arrived, I was horrified to discover that the ‘animals’ were actually people"
Yeah, I don't want a flight attendant who is confused on what to do in this situation.
Stupid hurts.
Hmm the naïveté astounds me . His side hustle was clear . Transporting migrants . Small fish so legal case not persued. Rolled the dice and came up 7 out.
Question, why would he want FA the job back? It wasn't paying him enough, and required this nefarious side hustle. He could move on to anything else and yet he chooses the very occupation that started his problem. I find this fishy, and suggests he is likely not the innocent portrayed.
Let me ask this, if he was a veteran flight attendant why did he need a side job...Does that say something about AA and their employment package...On the other hand, I do agree he broke the law and got caught so he should have been faced with consequences...I also think he should not get his job back for the reasons others mentioned...I think there is more to the story than what was said because if...
Let me ask this, if he was a veteran flight attendant why did he need a side job...Does that say something about AA and their employment package...On the other hand, I do agree he broke the law and got caught so he should have been faced with consequences...I also think he should not get his job back for the reasons others mentioned...I think there is more to the story than what was said because if the people were in the US they did not need to hire the services and this said something about his services for example lack of information before starting. If the new customer kept changing the pick up point, then this would have been a red flag too...
I see both sides. Where as he as "caught" doing this..was this just the first time? Often the law looks as your offense as you simply got caught this time..how many times did you not get caught. The rules for this are pretty clear cut.
Its usually in the simplest of decisions that one's future trajectory is determined. He chose unwisely. His time now would be better spent finding another occupation. The Federal government's...
I see both sides. Where as he as "caught" doing this..was this just the first time? Often the law looks as your offense as you simply got caught this time..how many times did you not get caught. The rules for this are pretty clear cut.
Its usually in the simplest of decisions that one's future trajectory is determined. He chose unwisely. His time now would be better spent finding another occupation. The Federal government's heels will in place on this and he will never be allowed most likely to occupy his former job.
I have some sympathy but overall I'm on the side of not reinstating his tsa clearance for a few reasons.
First, his explanation of what happened is a little off. I'm not an expert on cross border trafficking [sic], but if they had done the hard part and gotten these people across the border already, why did they need to hire someone else to transport them domestically? They could have literally called an Uber,...
I have some sympathy but overall I'm on the side of not reinstating his tsa clearance for a few reasons.
First, his explanation of what happened is a little off. I'm not an expert on cross border trafficking [sic], but if they had done the hard part and gotten these people across the border already, why did they need to hire someone else to transport them domestically? They could have literally called an Uber, unless... He was known as someone who wouldn't ask questions. Regardless, until he allowed those migrants into his car, he hadn't done anything illegal. Saying they threatened him with jail time if he went ahead with the crime doesn't make sense. The only thing that makes sense is that he had previously done something illegal for them and they threatened to tell the cops about that if he didn't do this job too. Also, even if he was coerced to take them, he could have taken them, then driven straight to the nearest police station and voluntarily told them everything. It says that he was stopped by law enforcement, not that he willingly sought them out. That's a huge lapse in judgement. Most people understand that no matter what you've done, voluntarily going to the cops will always be better for you than getting caught by them and then offering to cooperate later.
Secondly, just because he ultimately has charges dropped doesn't mean he was innocent. It could have been a deal in exchange for his cooperation to go after the bigger fish. Or they just didn't have enough evidence for it to stand up in a court of law. This is important because legally being considered innocent of a crime does not automatically entitle you to a security clearance. For example, an actual security clearance i.e. for national security work, can be withheld if they believe you are vulnerable to being bribed, even if you've never been convicted of bribery before. This could be as simple as being underwater on your mortgage, or late on your credit card payments, which show that you might be unduly susceptible to offers of money.
I don't know what the TSA standards are for giving their clearance, but IMHO, even if this person was ultimately never convicted of a crime, he displayed several lapses in judgement (the most serious being his own admission that he was easily induced into committing a crime) which might be enough to disqualify him.
Actually he deserves some latitude. As a Canadian I am less than impressed with the treatment of migrants. He was completely open and was not trying to hide his actions.
This person should absolutely NOT get his job back. he knew exactly what he was doing. People who FA in border towns know the drill. He knew what he was doing was shady. I do not feel sorry for him at all!
And for every person who was ACTUALLY a threat, they have ALL said they are NOT a threat! This guy has no business being in a position of this caliber. sorry. adios amigo.
I just have to add my own two cents, which restate what many have stated.
He caved in once and might be likely to do it again. Period!
Such a person should have the right to fly as a passenger, with TSA being extra careful. Such a person should absolutely not have the right to hold a job which bypasses some security procedures.
Regarding extra security, it does exist! Decades ago, while...
I just have to add my own two cents, which restate what many have stated.
He caved in once and might be likely to do it again. Period!
Such a person should have the right to fly as a passenger, with TSA being extra careful. Such a person should absolutely not have the right to hold a job which bypasses some security procedures.
Regarding extra security, it does exist! Decades ago, while travelling with a disabling injury, TSA had me wait standing while they bypassed me with a group of 70 foreign teens in a group. I begged the TSA official to let me go as standing was very painful. He told me sure and brought me to the highest security situation I had ever seen. I realized what had happened and I demanded the manager come and investigate. She came, apologized and reported him but I still went through a grueling 30 minute review. The agent had lied and stated I had a water bottle which was subsequently not seen on the video review.
I find that frequently my opinion is in the minority here. I live with this burden.
I have spent growing up and college years along the Mexican border. Bad things happen to good people.
I feel that this person was placed into a situation that he could not have possibly foreseen. If this happened as he has stated, no doubt his personal safety was threatened as well.
I can guarantee that his...
I find that frequently my opinion is in the minority here. I live with this burden.
I have spent growing up and college years along the Mexican border. Bad things happen to good people.
I feel that this person was placed into a situation that he could not have possibly foreseen. If this happened as he has stated, no doubt his personal safety was threatened as well.
I can guarantee that his pet transport days are concluded.
I would hope that AA would re-instate him and where, please, his the union ?
If you read the article it clearly says AA cant keep him employed if he doesn't have security clearance. Nothing to do with AA.
Not sure I buy this story, especially this part:
" I quickly received a threatening phone call claiming that the passengers were illegal immigrants, and that if I tried to alert law enforcement or leave, I would be arrested and sent to jail."
The cartels don't typically threaten to call the cops on you, they have other means of persuasion at their disposal. I'd find it far more believable if he claimed they...
Not sure I buy this story, especially this part:
" I quickly received a threatening phone call claiming that the passengers were illegal immigrants, and that if I tried to alert law enforcement or leave, I would be arrested and sent to jail."
The cartels don't typically threaten to call the cops on you, they have other means of persuasion at their disposal. I'd find it far more believable if he claimed they threatened to harm him but this story doesn't pass the sniff test. I mean if someone threatens to have you arrested if you don't do something illegal the logical course of action is to say OK and drive off without the illegals to the nearest police station and explain the situation rather than participating in the crime.
My bet is the going rate for humans was far higher than puppies and this excuse is the best he could come up with after he got busted.
That sounds about right to me. He hadn't committed any offence at the time of receiving the call, he could always call the police at that point and explained what was going on. Clearly the excuse was good enough to avoid a conviction in a trial where one is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, but it looks like our friend wants to have his cake and eat it too.
He shouldn’t have his security privilege if his judgment is this poor.
What if someone approaches him in an airport parking garage and says “Hey, would you mind carrying this suitcase on your flight? Never mind that ticking. All suitcases do that?”
If he’s this reckless with the concept of security, then he needs to surrender his credentials and go work in a call center miles away from an airport.
I cannot imagine that this scenario would ever happen with this individual.
You sure about that? What if he feels his life is in danger? What if they pay extra?
I work in commercial aviation, and used to carry a SIDA badge. The immediate and sole answer to any question of smuggling or illicit transport is a big fat NO. If you can’t handle that, give up the badge and go work with houseplants.
He said "i quickly received a threatening phone call claiming that the bag was a bomb and that if I tried to alert law enforcement or leave, I would be arrested and sent to jail."
Nope. He deserved to lose his job for that, and absolutely should not get it back. Fear or not, he made the wrong decision. It's unfortunate that he was put in that situation, but given the chance to do the right thing, he did not. (FWIW I know I'm not perfect and have made mistakes, but there are a handful of situations where making the right choice is the only option, and this is one of those situations). Find another job.
What would you have done in this situation?
There's a plethora of things.
-Drive away
-drive with immigrants to nearest police station
-refuse to move car
-drive then stop of gas station and call police
-10x
I'm not buying any of it. AA is right to fire him. He can go back to transporting "animals" over the border.
Tough shit! He knew what he was doing.
The flight attendant should be fired. He can no longer be trusted to care for people after he engaged in human trafficking. He knew something was wrong but still did it.
In the news recently was an osteopathic physician (a D.O., not a M.D.) who lost his medical license after his ex-wife reported him for allowing his stepdaughter to fondle him 10 years ago and which he was not convicted. The evidence was some...
The flight attendant should be fired. He can no longer be trusted to care for people after he engaged in human trafficking. He knew something was wrong but still did it.
In the news recently was an osteopathic physician (a D.O., not a M.D.) who lost his medical license after his ex-wife reported him for allowing his stepdaughter to fondle him 10 years ago and which he was not convicted. The evidence was some text messages about him saying what's past is past. The guy said it was not involving any patient but it didn't matter. Moral turpitude or ethical lapses have consequences.
It should have been that bully AA FA Shoup that was fired but it wasn't. Shoup was in the news recently for kicking off a passenger for moving his overhead bag and then saying that the passenger is "off his plane".
The dildo of consequence rarely comes lubed.
Charges being dropped does not mean one is innocent, nor that one was proven innocent; it could simply be there isn't strong enough evidence to go to trial or that the evidence isn't likely compelling enough to get a conviction. That also doesn't mean that an investigation didn't conclude innocence or likely innocence. This is basically a schrodinger's cat situation, where without actually looking at it you cannot be sure if the investigation showed innocence...
Charges being dropped does not mean one is innocent, nor that one was proven innocent; it could simply be there isn't strong enough evidence to go to trial or that the evidence isn't likely compelling enough to get a conviction. That also doesn't mean that an investigation didn't conclude innocence or likely innocence. This is basically a schrodinger's cat situation, where without actually looking at it you cannot be sure if the investigation showed innocence or merely lacked enough basis for a conviction. Either way, TSA could look at the situation of someone who was easily coerced and determine there is a legitimate security threat there (although TSA is security theater, there's no reason to give someone who has shown themselves to be easily coerced to have a lower scrutiny)
Charges are dropped even in cases where they know it's a slam dunk conviction. They can expend the resources to try a case, win it, and see the dependent get some minor penalty (e.g., time served). It's often not a good trade off for the prosecutor. And, they often figure the whole arrest and detention that took place got the dependent's attention (i.e., made the point).
While I empathize with him and his situation. I’d question his judgement, if he’s that naive or just stupid, then what’s to say he can’t fall for a scam involving something that may jeopardize the safety of an aircraft?
Why isn't his union helping him?
Excellent question.
Unions typically don't get involved in criminal events that arise outside of their scope.
I don't pretend I could never be dupped. But, I'm pretty sure a message saying, "break the law or you'll be arrested," would not work on me.
Oh please he knew exactly what he was doing.
Glad you were there when things went down to make sure we know he knew what he was doing. (eyes rolling)
Fear can be a powerful motivator...especially when it comes without warning.
And yet there is still this thing as "knowing right from wrong."
He knew it was wrong, but chose to do it anyway.
I submit that he did NOT know what he was doing.
Ever hear of "bad things happen to good people" ?