Alaska Airlines has banned a Seattle airport worker who got trapped in the cargo hold of one of its passenger jets this week, forcing an emergency landing.
JUST IN (from scanners) worker was stuck in cargo
A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines confirmed to BuzzFeed News on Thursday that the employee — who works for Menzies Aviation — had been banned, but would not elaborate.
The flight on Monday was heading for Los Angeles, but returned to Sea-Tac International Airport after just 14 minutes when passengers and crew heard the agent screaming and pounding below.
Playback of #AS448—forced to return to #SEA after a worker discovered trapped in0 cargo hold. http://t.co/YifBQNrkBq
Once on the ground, the ramp agent was found inside the pressurized and temperature-controlled front cargo hold, Alaska Airlines said in a statement.
More video from plane that had to turn around because of screaming from either the wheel well or cargo
The ramp agent appeared OK, but was transported to the hospital as a precaution, the airline said.
The worker later said he had fallen asleep in the cargo hold.