A flight attendant for Delta Air Lines has been busted for allegedly stealing the plane’s small bottles of liquor and then selling them online for a profit. Airlines typically sell these bottles of alcohol or offer them for free for long-haul international flights.

The woman in question was said to have stolen 1,500 bottles. Here is more information from the New York Post/Associated Press:

“The Shelby County district attorney’s office said Friday that 28-year-old Rachel Trevor has been indicted on charges including theft, unlawful sale of alcohol and unauthorized transportation of alcohol.

Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigators say Trevor would put the small bottles of rum, vodka, gin, whiskey and other alcoholic beverages in her bag after a flight, then post the bottles for sale on Craigslist.

Investigators said the bottles typically sell for $8 on flights, but Trevor was selling them for $1 apiece.

Trevor has a June 6 court appearance. Online records do not show if she has a lawyer.â€

$1 a piece? That’s $1,500 in revenue. On the plane, at $8 a piece, that’s some $12,000 in revenue the airline missed out on.

Bottom Line:

This stuff happens. It’s unfortunate to see flight attendants – who are supposed to be serving customers – serve themselves. Then again, in an job or profession, there will likely always be bad apples.

One of the reasons why many airlines only accept credit cards for on-board purchases is that it makes it impossible for flight attendants to steal the money, as is the case if cash was accepted.