When the animal bit and clawed passengers on an American Airlines flight, one passenger attempted to flee on the tarmac just before takeoff, only to be overpowered by law enforcement.
Do you know ailurophobia? A priori, it doesn’t have much to do with air travel: it’s cat phobia. In the United States, in western New York State, a passenger forced ejection from a plane that was about to take off due to the presence of one of these cute hairballs.
Aboard an American Airlines Embraer 170 connecting Buffalo-Niagara Airport to Chicago-O’Hare Airport, the “emotional support” animal, present in the cabin and therefore not housed in a cage, ends up escaping of boarding from the arms of his beloved and then begins to claw and bite the passengers, according to Air Journal. Supporting the idea of being stuck with this angry cat for almost two hours, Cynthia McKnight, 24, begins attacking the crew before activating the device’s emergency door and triggering the chute’s opening.
The young Sacramento woman then slips and flees before being overpowered by police and then arrested by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. In a statement, American Airlines said the passenger had been placed on its internal no-fly list pending further investigation. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and for acting to ensure the safety of our customers and our colleagues,” the company added, confirmed by CBS News.
Emotional Support Animals
This flight, operated by American Eagle on April 19, carried 65 passengers and four crew members from Buffalo-Niagara to Chicago-O’Hare. It was canceled and the travelers were put on other planes.
In the United States, certain so-called “emotional support” animals may be accepted in the cabin because they can reduce their owner’s stress. Pigs, parrots, monkeys, ducks, a peacock and even a pony could fly in the cabin in the United States. In 2020, the Department of Transportation still regulated the practice. Only guide dogs are allowed to accompany passengers.
However, some companies continue to accept certain animals to avoid the wrath of mental health associations. But if our animal friends relieve stress for some, they can also cause panic for others…
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