Drunken Baggage Handler Sleeps In Cargo Hold, Flies To Chicago

CHICAGO — A baggage handler accused of being drunk fell asleep in the cargo hold of an American Airlines flight Saturday that flew from Kansas City, Missouri, to Chicago. The worker wasn't hurt during the hourlong flight, and no criminal charges were filed in the incident.

An employee for Piedmont Airlines, the handler had been working for American Airlines on Saturday, Oct. 29, when he accidentally fell asleep in the forward cargo hold of a Boeing 737-800, according to the Kansas City Star. The plane took off at 6:07 a.m. from Kansas City International and landed at 7:09 a.m. O'Hare International Airport, the report added.

Chicago police questioned the handler, who said he had been drunk when he fell asleep, the report stated. He was not charged and sent back to Kansas City, the report added.

The plane was carrying 80 passengers and six crew member, and no cargo is in the hold, which is heated and pressurized. American Airlines is reviewing the situation, the Star reports.

"[The handler] did not request any medical attention upon arrival in Chicago, and we are grateful that he did not sustain any injuries," the carrier said in a statement.

More via the Kansas City Star

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