Originally Posted by
FirstInFlight
The issue is the Secure Flight protocols. The airline won't like it and that might violate civil law but, with the exception of a potential fraud claim, it isn't a criminal violation.
But what is a criminal violation are the anti-terrorism rules. Secure Flight exists to ensure that those on the Do Not Fly list do in fact not fly. Your situation is not intended to circumvent the purpose of Secure Flight but, in order to prosecute those would would attempt to circumvent the purpose for secure flight, the behavior is criminalized.
That's not to say that it doesn't happen - it does and people get away with it. But that's the same argument for being a drug mule. You should think carefully about what is at stake and the potential repercussions if you get caught before you decide to take your chances. I once heard a (successful) career criminal say that he never stole anything that wasn't worth the risk to steal.
These are not "rules", these are good old-fashioned federal criminal laws which have been on the books for many years, some well before recent anti-terrorism statutes.
1. It is only a misdemeanor offense to gain entry to a secure area by false pretenses, such as by purchasing a ticket which you do not intend to fly at the time you make the purchase. Usually only prosecuted in connection with more serious felonies dealing with the situation here. But, nonetheless something to think about for the people who flippantly tell you to do it to beat some air carrier out of a couple of bucks.
2. It is a felony to gain access to a secure area under a false name. Lots of law on "false name"
3. It is a felony to board a commercial aircraft under a false name.
OP says he is only musing about this. But, what is one person's musing turns into someone else's assertion that they heard that people do it all the time and it's fine.