A woman’s journey with her pet dog, Moose, took an unexpected turn when he escaped before their Alaska Airlines flight from North Carolina to Seattle. The passenger was forced to return to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport to help search for Moose, who was scheduled to depart with her on the same flight on 26 March but didn’t make it onto the aircraft.
According to a WRAL report, Moose’s absence was attributed to a „misstep in the loading process“ by an Alaska Airlines representative. Instead of traveling with his owner, Moose was kept at the airport overnight and scheduled to fly out the next morning.
On the day of the flight, airport staff took Moose for a walk before his departure. However, when they returned, Moose refused to go back into his crate. The airline spokesperson explained that Moose pulled away, shook loose from his collar, and ran away, leading airport workers on a chase around the airport campus. Fortunately, the incident did not disrupt any flight operations.
Alaska Airlines took responsibility for the situation and paid for the owner’s return flight from Seattle. Law enforcement officials and the fire rescue team were called in to assist with the search and rescue of Moose. After two days of searching, Moose was safely reunited with his owner on 28 March.
An Alaska Airlines representative expressed relief that Moose was back with his pet parent, stating, „We’re happy that the dog is safely back with its pet parent. The airport’s fire rescue team picked up the owner yesterday, who had been searching in a different area, and brought her to Moose the dog. She coaxed him to her, and he’s safe and sound.“
Alaska Airlines has specific guidelines for pets traveling in the baggage compartment, requiring them to be no more than 150 pounds when combined with their carrier. The airline also mandates that owners must travel on the same flight as their pet. If this is not possible, arrangements can be made through the Alaska Airlines cargo service.
The airline charges a fee of $150 for most domesticated pets, including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish. These pets are accommodated in climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments to ensure their safety and comfort during the journey.
In conclusion, the heartwarming reunion between Moose and his owner serves as a reminder of the importance of pet safety and responsible travel practices. Alaska Airlines‘ commitment to the well-being of pets in their care is evident in their policies and actions taken to ensure Moose’s safe return.
