Fake pilot rumbled after cocktail gaffe

A man masquerading as a pilot on board a Hong Kong Dragonair flight to Penang was caught out after trying to order a Bloody Mary.

The incident brings new meaning to the term, ‘Jetpilot cocktail’

The incident reportedly took place on 31 March, according to news site SCMP.

The culprit, aged between 18 and 20, was wearing a “pilot’s outfit” complete with  shoulder epaulettes, black trousers and a black necktie and also carried luggage tags and a lanyard which had the logos of Dragonair’s parent company, Cathay Pacific.

While he didn’t actually try and fly the plane but sat down as a passenger, he informed staff he had just finished manning a flight from San Francisco and asked to speak to the pilot after the plane touched down in Penang.

However, he raised suspicions when he tried to order a Bloody Mary which wasn’t available and was also unable to provide a staff number. The flight attendants barred him from going near the cockpit and he was led away by security after disembarkation.

It is understood that he has had previous records of impersonating a pilot but Dragonair would not provide details as the investigation is still ongoing by the police.