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Joshua Crawford has taken to TikTok to brag about the unlimited free travel he receives on United Airlines as a pass rider with a father that worked in the cargo sector at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) for over 30 years. The post has racked up over 5.2 million views and 426,000 likes for the self-proclaimed “nepo baby.”
The 23-year-old NJ native says that he has flown over 120 flights spanning 260,000 miles in the last five years. He estimates that he has flown more than six figures worth of free travel and sings United’s praises as he says that he loves Polaris and the “first class” upgrades he receives. Crawford also loves United’s First Class due to the premium alcohol, a self-care kit with a face mask, the seat that converts into a “lay down bed.”
In case you were wondering what a nepo baby is, it’s short for a nepotism baby. These children are usually the offspring of actors, musicians, producers, or other industry insiders who have benefitted from their parents’ fame or connections to aid in launching their own careers.
While Crawford undoubtedly has had some great, free travel experiences it should be caveated that not everything he claims is 100% factual. Pass riders are not upgraded ahead of other travelers using PlusPoints on Polaris flights or those eligible for complimentary upgrades on domestic routes.
He’s also playing a dangerous game with his pass rider status since he freely admits that he’s gaming the system. According to the New York Post, dependent children are entitled to flight benefits through age 26. Crawford has changed his status to his dad’s “permanent friend” in order to continue to receive free flights.
Anthony’s Take: It’s always interesting to see how people take advantage of benefits. I commend Crawford for learning how to work the system, but don’t think it was the greatest idea to post about it on social media or in news articles as United might crack down.
(Image Credits: @Joshacrawf via TikTok.)
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11 comments
Bragging about that on social media and drawing attention is a bad idea, not only for the general public that views it, but also airline employees are pretty vicious especially when it comes to pass travel and will turn on their own in a half second if it means getting on a plane first or someone else losing privileges. As a long time airline manager, I’ve dealt with it. Many times I found out about pass travel abuse from someone’s co-workers (and actually how we prosecuted some employees… they were having people go through security on a fully refundable ticket with their own ID, then board the plane using that employee’s mother’s travel privileges).
Either way, it’s just not a good look to put it on blast like that.
Regarding gaming the system… I’m not sure that I see that unless I’m missing something not in this post… Most airlines now allow you to choose either a spouse or designate someone else on your benefits (no longer has to be only your legal spouse, which is how it was for decades and decades). So if you and your legal partner both work for the airline, you can each name another person be it an adult kid or whoever else they choose. Usually it can be changed annually. This was a big win for those of us who aren’t married or those who are not in a 1950’s man+woman marriage. Now, when it is someone other than you or your spouse, the employee does get charged imputed income tax. So this Nepokid’s father is getting a big ol tax bill. (I used to have confirmed free travel as part of my benefits package… I used to have my girlfriend look for a regular paid ticket first because sometimes that was cheaper than the tax burden I was going to get hit with)
FIRED! soon I hope
He looks like a smarmy little twerp.
United is not going to respond lightly on this. Probably suspending travel benefits or even terminating his Dads employment… The Airlines specifically outlines that as Employees We always keep low profile and being respectful. This young man is causing a lot of damage. Very disturbing!
His father is not gaming the system. His companion pass can go to whoever he wants, including his children after age 26.
Everyone needs to calm down, saying his dad should be fired. Is it a little tacky to brag about ? Yes. Especially because you fly standby and take whatever empty seat is left. But he’s not gaming anything — at UAL you can select anyone you want to be your enrolled friend, even your children who ‘age out’ of the regular pass rider benefit
My son just decided to become a airline pilot to keep his bennys.
Tell him it will be cheaper if he just pays to travel for the rest of his life.
Tell him it will be cheaper if he just pays to travel for the rest of his life.
Big deal.
Best Business Class? He’s joking of course?!