Repeat offender caught trying to board flights without tickets at Seattle airport

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Repeat offender caught trying to board flights without tickets at Seattle airport

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By Sky Industry News

Jan 2, 2025

A woman was arrested at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport for the second time in a matter of days after attempting to board a flight without a ticket. The 33-year-old, who was previously apprehended on Christmas Eve for boarding Delta Flight 487 from Seattle to Honolulu without a ticket, tried again but was stopped before clearing security.

The arrest occurred when an officer recognized her from surveillance footage. She claimed she was at the airport to meet her sister but lacked any flight details or a ticket. When confronted with footage from her previous attempt, she acknowledged, "Yes that is me, but I was already arrested for that."

Perry Cooper, Media Relations Manager at Seattle Airport, confirmed: “Ms. Small was arrested the night of the 27th for trespassing. She was arrested pre-security and had not passed through any of the checkpoints.” The charge against her is first-degree criminal trespassing, which could lead to up to 364 days in jail or $5,000 in fines.

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During her initial attempt on December 24th, cabin crew discovered she did not have a ticket as the Airbus A321 began taxiing out. According to King 5's court documents access, she bypassed security by cutting in line and avoiding ID and boarding pass checks.

Delta Air Lines responded: “As there are no matters more important than safety and security, Delta people followed procedures to have an unticketed passenger removed from the flight and then apprehended. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels and thank them for their patience and cooperation.”

This incident follows another case involving a 57-year-old woman who boarded a Delta flight from New York JFK Airport to Paris without a ticket last November. After passing all security checkpoints during Thanksgiving travel rush at JFK Airport, she attempted another unauthorized entry into Canada via Greyhound bus before being detained.