2018 is well on its way to becoming a banner year for belligerent and/or downright disgusting airline passengers.
We're only one week in and we've already had a person attempt to exit a plane via the wing, a guy get booted from a flight for taking a leak all over the lavatory and an emergency landing caused by a gentleman-and I use that term loosely-painting a poop Picasso on the walls of multiple plane bathrooms.
Sadly, you can now add animal cruelty to the list.
A Florida couple has been cited after packing a live cat in their suitcase on New Year's Day in an attempt to fly the feline from Erie, Pennsylvania to Tampa, Florida.
The six-month-old cat named Slim was found inside the pair's luggage alongside clothes and other various items-none of which included food or water. The baggage inspection system at Erie International Airport alerted TSA that the luggage required an additional look and, when they opened it up, they came across the no-doubt distressed cat.
Ian Bogle, the director of public safety and facilities at Erie International, told the Erie Times-News: "A poor decision made on the customers' part,"
You can say that again, Ian.
This tremendously poor decision has led to the couple being charged with a count of transporting animals in a cruel manner, and they are expected to face a fine. While the duo, both 21 at the time of the incident, are yet to enter a plea, Slim has been turned over to the Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Mr. Bogle went on to tell the Erie Times-News that each airline has procedures for transporting pets on flights, and it's not a difficult process because the airlines are more than happy to accommodate pet owners.
He then said that putting a pet in a checked bag "is not the recommended way."
"Twenty-eight years I've been here. I've seen some unique things. I've been involved in plenty of unique things. This is a first," he added.
Here's to hoping that Slim finishes 2018 with better owners than he started with.
While this may be one of the most downright mean things attempted by airline passengers in recent memory, a cat is certainly not the most bizarre thing confiscated by TSA recently. That disturbing list includes bear deterrent spray, a sickle and a "just for laughs" suicide vest.
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