You’d think it wouldn’t be possible for a 6ft3 man to pass through airport security using the passport of his 5ft2 girlfriend. But then you’d be wrong, at least at London’s Stansted Airport.
It all started out innocently enough.
Josh Reed, a 21-year-old bouncer from London sporting a full beard, was on his way to a boys football trip to Germany to do what boys do.
His bags were packed, he’d said his goodbyes, and he was ready to let loose for a few days in Dortmund.
But, unbeknownst to Josh, he had mistakenly taken his girlfriend’s passport instead of his own to the airport.
You’d think he would’ve been pulled up on this whilst passing through airport security in London. But no, not even ground staff or security noticed that the passport Josh was using to board his flight belonged not to him, but to his petite, pregnant girlfriend.
Josh Reed with his girlfriend Sophie Watkins
In fact, Josh didn’t even realise he’d taken the wrong passport until landing in Dortmund on a Ryanair flight.
Speaking to the Lad Bible about the mix up, Josh had this to say:
“I was just completely shocked at how the hell I look like a small brunette female. It’s terrible that it wasn’t noticed at all.”
Indeed, not only did they look completely different, but they both had completely different first and surnames.
The incident obviously raises airport security fears: if this happened to Josh, then how many other people are crossing international borders using passports that are not their own?
To this concern, Ryanair has this to say:
“Our handling agent at the boarding gate mistakenly failed to check the passport of this passenger, and Swissport have assured us that appropriate steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence. However, it is Mr Reed’s primary responsibility to ensure that he is travelling on his valid passport in compliance with Ryanair’s terms and conditions.”
Ryanair spokesperson speaking to MailOnline Travel
After realising the mistake, Josh’s girlfriend sent his actual passport to Germany via courier for his return flight.
