Snake on United Airlines flight and it's not the first time
Snake on United Airlines flight and it's not the first time! Are you terrified of snakes? Have you ever thought about [...]
United Airlines
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Snake on United Airlines flight and it's not the first time! Are you terrified of snakes? Have you ever thought about what you would do if you found one on the very flight you were traveling on?
A question that perhaps few people ask, but one that unfortunately some passengers have had to deal with. A bad dream that came true on the very Oct. 17, 2022 on United Airlines flight UA2038 from Tampa (TPA) to Newark (EWR) When passengers actually found themselves with a snake on board.
According to reports also confirmed by personnel on the plane, the discovery of the snake did not cause a stir. This is because it happened, shortly after landing.
The event was quite hilarious, although we have to tell the truth, maybe we at TFC would have been scared too. Basically, the first class passengers, screamed and lifted their legs when a snake appeared right on the floor of the airplane.
Snake on United Airlines flight: what happened to the passengers on the flight while the snake was on board?
The passengers obviously remained on board during the incident, and when they disembarked, the plane was screened by investigators to make sure there were no other strange creatures inside.
No one can understand how it was possible for a snake to get on board; it looks like a botched prank.
Yet, it appears that the animal snuck in while the plane's door was open in Tampa. Another assumption - totally unfounded at the moment - is that a passenger inside the luggage brought it in.
Snake on United Airlines flight: where did the snake spend the entire flight?
It is very strange to think that the animal was just inside the plane for the entire flight and only came out upon landing.
Fortunately, the issue was resolved without any particular hiccups, but for some passengers it really could have been a nightmare flight. Many people are terrified of snakes already in the wild and in often controlled environments, let alone in a confined environment such as an airplane where they are forced to sit for a long time.
It was not the first time a snake had snuck in during a flight
Of course, this was not the first time and we are not talking about movies or TV series. We are always reminded of the series Lost and all the omens for the passengers on that flight who later landed on a remote island full of uncontrolled and uncontrollable animals. Or just think of the Jackson's 2006 film "Snakes on a Plane."
In February 2022, a snake was spotted in the light compartment of an Air Asia Airbus A320 flying from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau. In that case all it took was a detour to let the beastie loose. We discussed it here: Air Asia flight snake on board.
But it doesn't end there, there was also another case, reported in November 2016, this time the snake was found on an Embraer 190 on the flight from Torreón to Mexico City. Caught by passengers at the sighting, the snake did not cause any problems.
Noting some Google searches, many passengers are asking more or less the same question. Is it just chance and inconvenience or is there someone's hand in it?
Personal experience
This happened to me at the airport last year in Koh Samui. Since it is an airport in the middle of the Thai bush, without the classic concrete and glass buildings, it is totally exposed to the weather and local wildlife.
We were waiting to board our flight to Bangkok when gate agents called for airport security to capture the animal.
Since it is a frequent problem, no panic, quick intervention without serious consequences (I hope) for the animal.
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