I had a unique airport adventure on Saturday. My flight was supposed to leave at 4.50. After a delay and cancellation I finally started the boarding process at 9.00. Nothing new there:) The memorable moment came as I was boarding the plane.
I was getting ready to step from the hangar into the cabin when a mouse darted in front of me and made a quick left into the cockpit. The stewardess who was standing in the beverage area jumped back into the hangar while yelling something about not being paid enough to deal with mice. Then the pilot closed the cockpit door to trap the mouse inside.
The mouse did not appear to be carrying a boarding pass. So I wasted no time in letting the pilot know about my concern. Based on the small size of its paws, I was certain that this mouse had not packed its own bags. In fact, I had a hunch that the mouse even bypassed security altogether.
In addition to the obvious concern over everyone's safety I admit to also feeling some personal jealousy. While I have flown many times, I've never been permitted to ride in the cockpit. Why should a rodent, who didn't even buy a ticket, be allowed to call shotgun?
Since I was one of the few passengers to see the mouse make his move I walked quietly to my aisle seat. I didn't think it would be wise to inspire panic by telling the people next to me that the cockpit had been compromised. So I waited quietly to see what would happen. There was no explosion which relieved me to know that the mouse had not strapped any C4 to his back. But they did stop the boarding process for about ten minutes until some airline employees boarded the plane with sheets and boxes.
Is that how the FAA is choosing to deal with radical mice in this age of increased airline security? I can't carry my toothpaste on the plane yet when a mouse storms the cockpit his punishment is a box-ride to freedom?
No paw-cuffs?
No trial?
No lighter plus hairspray combo to the fur like we use to do to the mice in our dorm at College?
Very disaappointing:(
My friends and I really enjoyed this story :) thanks for making us laugh!
Posted by: Stephanie | October 30, 2006 at 08:45 PM
WOW, that mouse is more equipped than Fifle!
Posted by: Jerome | October 31, 2006 at 11:23 AM
What if Fifle had access to an airplane? He could have found his family faster:)
Posted by: Brad Leach | October 31, 2006 at 11:32 AM