A teenager was detained at an airport after he was caught using a airline hack where travellers buy cheaper indirect flights but exit the airport at the layover.
The scheme - called skiplagging - can save fliers serious money and although not illegal can violate some airlines' codes of conduct.
Logan Parsons was trying to fly home to Charlotte, North Carolina, from Gainesville, Florida, but the cheapest ticket option was to get an American Airlines ticket to New York and jump out at the layover.
But at the airport in Florida, his North Carolina ID raised red flags and the teen was taken to a security room and interrogated, his dad said.
Logan's ticket was cancelled and he was forced to buy a direct flight.
Dad Hunter said it was the first time the teenager had flown on his own but the family has previously taken advantage of the popular method of saving money on flights.
Hunter said: "We've used skiplagged almost exclusively for the last five to eight years."
When trying to go through check-in, Logan was taken into a security room and interrogated.
Hunter said: "They kind of got out of him that he was planning to disboard (sic) in Charlotte and not going to make the connecting flight."
He added that the family weren't even aware skiplagging is looked down on.
He told Queen City News: "Our concerns are he is a minor and was kind of left to fend for himself several states away."
Bruce Brandon, an airline attorney who spoke to the outlet described Logan's treatment as "a bit harsh."
He said: "It's the first time he's flown, and he really doesn't know what he is doing. It seems to be a bit harsh to me."
He added: "I just don't understand why they would do this."
Brandon asked: "Was it a security issue or was it a contract issue,' added the attorney. 'Was he held against his will in that back room?"
Over the years, airlines have taken big steps to tackle outlets that facilitate skiplagging.
United Airlines and Orbitz sued the flight-search site Skiplagged in 2014, claiming the company "intentionally and maliciously" interfered with businesses.
Lufthansa brought a lawsuit against a passenger who had attempted to skiplag on their airline but the suit was later dropped.
In response to Logan's incident, a statement from American Airlines read: "Purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing) is a violation of American Airlines terms and conditions and is outlined in our Conditions of Carriage online."
"I think a stern warning, 'Hey this is frowned upon, if you do it again there would be consequences, financial penalties,'" said Hunter.
An investigation is underway within the company about Logan being 'detained.'
