Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen an alarming number of stories of people intentionally boarding flights after having tested positive for coronavirus. However, this story is a new one for me, and is on a whole different level.
COVID-positive man disguises himself as wife to fly
This past Sunday, a man with coronavirus managed to sneak onto a domestic flight in Indonesia. The incident occurred on a Citilink flight from Jakarta to Ternate. Due to surging coronavirus cases in Indonesia, the country requires a negative coronavirus test in order to fly.
Well, one man tested positive for coronavirus, but still wanted to fly, rather than waiting until he was better. So he got creative — he disguised himself as his wife by wearing a niqab, and he carried his wife’s ID, vaccination certificate, and negative coronavirus test. He managed to board the flight without issue, and almost got away with it.
Where this plan backfired
During the 1,500-mile flight, the man decided to change out of his disguise, and into his regular clothes. A flight attendant noticed him changing in the lavatory, and obviously found this alarming, so reported him to the police. Upon landing he was arrested and given a coronavirus test, and he tested positive.
The man is now self isolating at home, though could face prosecution (including jail time) for his terribly irresponsible act.
It goes without saying that the guy was being reckless and inconsiderate. It’s at least noteworthy that he put more effort into this scheme than the average person who tries to fly with coronavirus does. It really seems like he got lazy when he decided to change mid-flight — he was so close to getting away with this.
Bottom line
An Indonesian man disguised himself as his wife in order to fly even though he had tested positive for coronavirus. He put on a niqab and used his wife’s identification, negative coronavirus test, and vaccine card. He almost got away with it, except for his decision to change mid-flight, which the crew caught onto.
I’m curious what kind of punishment this guy ends up getting…
Agree with the comments that it should be more alarming that he got away with the disguise through security, but I don't think I really care much. This blog is supposed to be about points and miles and related reviews/advice. Increasingly we are seeing articles like this one that doesn't really affect most people.
Eskimo. Having gone through security weapons aren’t a factor. The issue is he was not identified correctly
Your conclusion is why security always have a weakness. You probably think as long as I lock my iPhone no one can hack it because Apple security is the best and they don't cooperate with the FBI.
The whole process should be considered unreliable.
Unless the agency or department (not just the person) that screens for weapons are entirely different than who checks ID, it is fair to assume that the whole agency isn't...
Your conclusion is why security always have a weakness. You probably think as long as I lock my iPhone no one can hack it because Apple security is the best and they don't cooperate with the FBI.
The whole process should be considered unreliable.
Unless the agency or department (not just the person) that screens for weapons are entirely different than who checks ID, it is fair to assume that the whole agency isn't competent in doing what its supposed to do. Therefore the product of that agency is unreliable.
And now terrorists are taking notes on what works and where.
The thing is, if this is a round trip flight, things will probably get kind of suspicious if he uses the same disguise, unless maybe he flies another airline on the way back. I mean, if he never got caught all the way through, would it still have made the headlines that we are reading right here?
Side note: I liked it better when the text in the “Post” button was dark blue. I’ve been...
The thing is, if this is a round trip flight, things will probably get kind of suspicious if he uses the same disguise, unless maybe he flies another airline on the way back. I mean, if he never got caught all the way through, would it still have made the headlines that we are reading right here?
Side note: I liked it better when the text in the “Post” button was dark blue. I’ve been noticing for a couple days that it’s white now, and it reminds me of how Lufthansa changed its identity. The white word on yellow makes it hard to read and just not as aesthetically pleasing IMO. When “Post” was in dark blue, it created a better contrast with the yellow and complemented the text and boxes right above the button well. Do you think you could please change the word color for “Post” back to blue?
"his terribly irresponsible act"
Multiplied by millions here, based on all the anti-vax Trumpers who pretend they're vaccinated so they don't have to wear a mask into stores etc.
Perhaps, after he recovers, he should spend some time assisting physicians who are trying to save the lives of those infected with COVID-19.
My grandfather (who was born and raised in Pakistan) used to say he doesn't like it when people wore a burka or niqab because you never know if the person below them is actually a woman or a man...
@JB: In ordinary interactions of life, why would he need to know?
Sexism runs everywhere, and stronger in certain geography and religion.
But we are trying to undo and cancel what happened over centuries in one generation, not an easy task at all.
Because you live in US, have no clue what goes on in the rest of the world on daily basis. Killing people (through explosions) hiding under the burkha is very common.
Isn't it more alarming that someone went through security and boarded a plane as someone else!!!!!!!!
WMD, drugs, nerve agent, biological weapons etc.
combine with
Child rapist, terrorist, no-fly list, fugitive, politicians etc.
You get disaster waiting to happen.
Maybe Covid originated as a biological weapon smuggled by Indonesia terrorists.
To be fair, airport security in Indonesia is nearly as slack as it is in the US.
Put him in front of the firing squad and broadcast it live on TV. If he is Knowingly going to put so many lives at risk, he doesn’t deserve to live.
If they do that, let's have you pull the trigger.
Completely agree -- this is analogous to pulling out a gun in-flight and shooting people.
Someone capable of this is clearly irredeemable.
He should face a minimum 5 years in prison
Modern problems require modern solutions.
So everyone can fly that easy with an aircraft, if terrorist or not, just by wearing a niqab?