More critters on a plane
 

URL:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070109...corpion_odd1_dc

Text:
Scorpions on a plane 1 hour, 49 minutes ago

TORONTO, Jan 8 (Reuters Life!) - A stowaway scorpion that stung a man on board a plane headed to Toronto caused a delay at the airport as investigators combed the aircraft for further arachnids, an airline spokesman said on Monday.

The scorpion apparently crawled out of the man's carry-on knapsack on American Airlines flight 1552 from Miami to Toronto on Sunday morning, said John Hotard, a company spokesman in Fort Worth, Texas.

"We delayed the outbound flight and searched the cabin of the aircraft to see if we could find any more, which we did not," said Hotard.

He said there was no indication the scorpion was brought on the plane intentionally.

A return flight to Miami was delayed by less than an hour after touching down at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Hotard said the man told airline officials he was returning to Canada from a camping trip with his brother in Costa Rica, from where the scorpion likely originated.

"This is rare," said Hotard. "I'm not aware of a scorpion stinging a person on any of our flights before."

Still, "we get critters on board from time to time," he said.

After the plane touched down in Toronto, the passenger initially said he was alright but then reported feeling some "numbness," said Hotard, who couldn't provide further details on the man's health.

Fire and emergency crew responded and the man was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said.

That man carried the scorpion a LONG way!

Hitchhiker or failed arachnid smuggler?

I don't think the arachnid was smuggling anything.

A DEA sting operation?

I suspect the guy was stung because the scorpion didn't like what was being served for lunch. A logical choice. Any discomfort was probably payback for the guy not having a more comfortable nap sack to ride in. :)

DB,

Where does this scorpion get off? It was backpacking, but still expected 5 star service?

:roflmao:

Well, OF, after a long day of heavy backpacking, woulnd't you prefer a good buffet instead of a minimalist sandwich?

I'm sure that if I were on a cross country flight with you Gekko that we'd have some great conversation but if there were actual snakes or scorpions on the flight I'm afraid I'd have to go ahead and jump. Snakes scare the living hell out of me. Happens when one of them slithers into your football helmet while you're on the bottom of the pile as a kid I guess.

But scorpions and jellyfish are cute & cuddly!

PS. This thread has gotten silly.

Thread's fine, it's the users who are suspect. LOL

:roflmao:

i smell a movie.

I'm not game to touch that one!!