Gabrielle Caron encountered a surprising situation on her journey back from a Mexico vacation when her flight from Toronto to Moncton faced an unexpected delay. While Air Canada Rouge Flight 1502 was preparing for takeoff at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Caron observed flight attendants rushing down the cabin aisle. The aircraft stopped short of the runway, and Caron peered out the window to see the crew gathered around the plane. The pilot then informed passengers that a crew member was inside the luggage hold.
The incident took place on Dec. 13 on an Airbus 321A, capable of accommodating up to 184 passengers. Air Canada stated that the cargo doors were mistakenly closed with a ground crew member inside. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The union representing the ground crew workers declined to comment.
Following the incident, the plane returned to the terminal, and passengers were asked to disembark while the flight crew completed necessary paperwork. Due to pilot work hour restrictions, the flight was further delayed, eventually leading to its cancellation at 1:15 a.m. the next day. The flight was rescheduled and departed at 8 p.m.
Stephanie Cure, another passenger from Moncton, also heard the trapped crew member’s cries for help. Initially unaware due to headphones, Cure noticed the tension among fellow passengers and captured the situation on video. She later shared the footage on her social media accounts, garnering nearly 500,000 views on Instagram alone.
Air Canada disclosed that the trapped worker was a member of their ground crew. While Cure received $1,000 in compensation for the disruption, Caron only received a $400 voucher. Aviation industry analyst John Gradek suggested that affected passengers like Caron may be entitled to more compensation, potentially considering legal action.
Gradek highlighted potential procedural lapses by the ground crew, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation into the incident. He affirmed that the crew member would have survived the flight had the aircraft taken off, with no risk of hypothermia. The ongoing investigation aims to determine crucial details such as when the door was closed and who was involved in the closure.
Caron expressed relief that everyone involved was safe, underscoring the unpredictable nature of travel and the importance of patience during unforeseen circumstances.
