Pig Flies First Class Across U.S.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Yes, a pig really flew - first class.
It flew US Airways, and the company, embarrassed, says it's never going to
let it happen again.
On Oct. 17, the six-hour flight from Philadelphia to Seattle carried 201
passengers - 200 people and one hog, which sat on the floor in the first
row
of first class.
``We can confirm that the pig traveled, and we can confirm that it will never
happen again,'' US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said. ``Let me stress
that. It will never happen again.''
Sources familiar with the incident told the Philadelphia Daily News in
Friday's editions that the hog's owners convinced the airline that the animal
was a ``therapeutic companion pet,'' like a guide dog for the blind.
The pig was traveling with two unidentified women who claimed they had a
doctor's note that allowed them to fly with the animal, according to an
internal airline report. US Airways and Federal Aviation Administration rules
allow passengers to fly with service animals.
The animal became unruly as the plane taxied toward the Seattle terminal,
the
report said, running through the jet, squealing and trying to get into the
cockpit.
``Many people on board the aircraft were quite upset that there was a large
uncontrollable pig on board, especially those in the first-class cabin,''
the
incident report stated.
The pig made it off the plane but continued squealing inside the Seattle
airport.
FAA officials in Seattle said they were unfamiliar with the incident but
promised to investigate.
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