This whole Crazy Kid in the wheel well of the airplane nonsense really has my hackles up. First of all, like many of us, I’m wondering why I have to go through security barefoot and half naked, being frisked by a surly TSA employee, while someone else just strolls across the tarmac. Second, I don’t believe that he was in the wheel well. From everything I’ve heard it would be close to impossible for him to have survived. A very serious looking former NTSB official said that in all likelihood the kid wormed his way into the luggage hold, which is both heated and pressurized. It’s good to know that our baggage and stowaways are traveling in such comfort compared to the sardine can the rest of us have to occupy.
How does someone stroll across the tarmac unnoticed? I mean I could see it if it was like a movie and he knocked out some mechanic and stole his orange safety vest and badge. But a pouting teenager skulking around?
And another thing (there’s always another thing!), just how stupid is the kid? I can assure you that I was the biggest dumbass teenager ever, but I wouldn’t have dreamed of a stunt like this. If this is his response to getting in a fight with his parents, imagine his dismay when he realized the beverage cart and snack were never making their way into whatever nook he was holed up in. I mean, it does always seem like an endless wait for the beverage cart, but it’s gotta be worse in stowaway. Why do I sniff a nuisance law suit coming down the pike?
Let’s only hope he was on a flight with Pam Ann, my favorite way to fly…
When the kid sues for being allowed to pull a stupid stunt (because it wasn’t the kid’s fault, right?), I think they should countersue for the extra drag on the plane due to unplanned weight (or something equally stupid).
Yes, with any luck they can tie up the court system for a decade on this one.
I didn’t even hear of this story! Yikes. That’s cahrazy! Pretty alarming that a teen could get past security and ON THE PLANE. OY.
Yes, it just proves that me having to unlace my Really Cute Boots and lace them back up again to go through security is a royal waste of time. Most of the time when I travel now I wear *gulp* loafers rather than Cute Shoes, just to save the hassle. It’s a sad state of affairs.
I hate flying. Somehow they have me pegged as a thin person and sit me between two very large (and I mean large) men who both flop over into my seat, fall asleep on my shoulder with their garlic breath in my face. Luggage compartment seems bearable.
I think it’s a sad statement on commercial flying that the first thing all of us think about is whether or not the luggage compartment might be more comfortable than economy class!
I think he’s on to something – no more sitting through those annoying safety demonstrations. I’d give up the free peanuts in a heartbeat to not have to sit in front of some kid kicking the seat all the way to Seattle, or the guy in front of me who leans his seat all the way back as soon as he boards, then moves it into place as we taxi to the airport…
Seriously, I’m always behind the guy who thinks it’s A-OK to shove his seat all the way back without so much as looking behind him. Arrgh! Yep, the wheel well is looking better and better…
Is there a tips for survival as a stowaway Website? How would someone know that such a tactic is possible? Hiding in the luggage compartment seems more probable but a greater embarassment for the airline or airport. I just prefer not to fly if I can avoid it. I find it an increasingly uncomfortable experience. There is NO seat back etiquette, and the few extra inches that made my flying economy bearable now are situated in business class.
Flying sucks but it’s the only way to get to all those nice places we love to visit!