I'm new. I joined expressly for the purpose of asking for advice on a certain instance that is happening to me currently.
Have you seen that TV show Catfish?
For the last 3 months I have been talking with a Facebook friend that I don't know, but we had some aviation friends in common. He has tons of photos, all over the world, great looking guy, seems like fun.
Anyway, the deeper I dig, the less his story lines up.

His story: He is a cpt for SWA, late 30's early 40's, on a 4 day on 3 day off schedule. Has worked for the co for over 10 years.
When he talks about flying, the stories seem to line up so I am sure he is somehow in aviation, def a pilot, (private at least).
He doesn't have his last name on FB, is really suspicious of who is out there and says that SWA encourages their pilots to keep their information confidential. I took a stab at his last name to find him on the FAA site, and nothing came up except for a dispatcher/private guy with a similar name.
When I confronted him about it, he said you can have your info kept confidential on the FAA site too.
We were supposed to meet, but after all the things that don't line up, I am not confident that I should.
There is a photo on his FB page of him in a uniform, on a plane, but it was before he was with SWA (according to him) when he flew with a different airline on an MD-80.
He has sent me photos of his licenses (there were about 5-6 cards) but too far away to make out what they said or if they were his. He has sent me a photo of the bottom of his crew badge (It said Crew, which according to him, is a pilot for SWA) and the photo from his photo ID, but he refuses to tell me his last name, or send me random photos of himself. I told him to send me a photo of himself in the cockpit, and never got anything.
Anyway, I am pretty sure he is totally impersonating a pilot (and a military pilot at that as he said he was in the Air Force Reserves) and although at this point I am not really interested in meeting him, I am getting sort of worried.
I have lots more details, but this is getting too long.
We have spoken on the phone, so I know it is a "he" .
I suggested we Skype but he never agreed to it.
I am just wondering a couple of things:
1) Can you keep your info confidential on the FAA Airmen Registry site?
2) Anyone work for SWA know about the "Crew" badge being only pilots?
Every pilot I know would not fault me for being cautious having met someone on the Internet...(I was a f/a for years which is how he found me on FB in the first place, through a friend who is no longer on FB and I have lost contact with her)
My theory: This guy works for SWA in some other role, and is impersonating a cpt. Could he get in trouble for this??
I have done as much investigating as I can. But how weird is this??

 

I hope this allowed to be posted? I am being vague on purpose and do not plan on posting anything identifying.
He did send me his info that he said he pulled up on the FAA site:

Address is not available



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Medical

Medical Class: First, Medical Date: 7/XXXX







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Certificates

AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT

Date of Issue: 4/22/XXXX

Certificate: AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT

Ratings:

AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT

AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND

COMMERCIAL PRIVILEGES

AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND



Type Ratings:A/A-320 A/B-737 A/B-757 A/B-767 A/DC-9

 

Is this a joke?

Dude, you're strange!

 

I'm sorry, what exactly is strange about this? Some guy that is impersonating something that he is not, and potentially putting me and my family at risk because who knows if he is some psycho?
Me coming here and asking for honest advice on if these things could possibly be true or not true?
Thanks so much for your helpful response.

 

You're asking complete strangers on the internet to validate your gut instinct? Does it matter that the person you're asking about is a pilot, or not?

 

In all honesty, it wouldn't have. But the fact that everything is potentially a lie is alarming to me as we definitely were headed toward wanting a relationship with each other.
I can see this forum isn't where I will find answers to the 2 questions I had posed.
I guess this is the point where I walk away from it and whoever this person is, without getting the answers I wanted from him or anyone.

Anyway, thanks for your time. Appreciate it.

 

Thank you for your honest advice. I totally agree about Facebook. We did at one time have friends in common but again, not the best place to meet.
I guess eHarmony is better.

LOL!

 

I will give the truth on this guy.
First, he is probably a flt attendant, so he has a crew ID
Second, if he is hiding all of his info, he is married
Third, why would you want to even know this guy...he is out of touch with reality. Trust your instincts and run!!!!
Good Luck

 

I've seen the show. DEMAND he take a self photo of him in uniform holding today's USA Today.

There is no way to easily fake that. If he says he can't get a USA today, he's not a pilot.

 

Well Actually, he could go to any Uniform Tailor and buy a Pilot uniform, most don't check IDs and then he could buy a USA today..... Wait a minute, if he actually buys a USA Today with his own Money instead of getting one from the Seat back Pocket or from the Hotel Desk, he is definitely an Poser.

To Flyinfashion: In all seriousness, listen what Vagabond said. (she is a woman BTW). Trust your instincts, as they are usually right. Even if this Gentlemen (and I use the term loosely) is telling the truth about being a Pilot, he sounds like a Dirt Bag. Do your self a favor and hit the Ignore Button and stay away. Take Care