Because Owners Care

[The Raven]

Cat missing in WestJet mix-up at Pearson. Baggage handlers drop cage, dooor pops open

Where’s Ludwig?

That’s the baffling question Julie Mannell keeps asking the folks at WestJet after her cat escaped from its cage and trotted off into the night at Pearson airport.

After finishing exams at McGill University in Montreal, Mannell, 20, flew to Toronto Monday night, and was to drive home to Fonthill, near Welland.

She had planned to bring Ludwig, her 2-year-old domestic shorthair, aboard with her, but airline officials in Montreal said the cat would have to travel in the baggage compartment because she didn’t have a soft-sided carrier.

“He was freaking out because nobody likes being in a cage,” the English and philosophy student said. She said she paid an extra $50 for Ludwig’s ride and expected him to roll out with the other luggage at Pearson.

But after waiting about an hour for Ludwig’s case to emerge, Mannell said an airline worker told her he’d gotten out of his cage and disappeared as the baggage compartment was opened. Somehow, the cage door’s knob was twisted open, she was told.

But on Tuesday, WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer said Ludwig’s cage was actually knocked to the ground as it was being loaded onto a conveyor belt inside Terminal 3.

The cage door popped open “and sure enough, Ludwig made a dash for it,” Palmer said, adding the cat was unhurt but “probably scared out of its mind.”

Skirting security protocol, they even let Mannell put on a reflective vest and go into the baggage area to call for her cat. She brought along his stuffed octopus toy to try and lure him out, to no avail.

“I heard this meowing sound and I got all excited because and I thought I’d found him, but it was just the WestJet baggage guys making sounds to mock me, making fun of me,” she said. “Another guy said he could find Ludwig if he could just bring in a big dog. He thought that was quite funny.”

Mannell didn’t get the joke.

She’s had the cat since he was 2 months old and named him after Ludwig van Beethoven because he’d always fall asleep on her piano.

Palmer said animal control staff have put out humane traps like those used to catch raccoons and squirrels, but so far no Ludwig.

“I’m worried because it’s really loud and really dangerous in there,” Mannell said. “I’m afraid that by the time I get him back he’ll be really traumatized. He’s never flown before.

“I paid them to take care of him. I was under the impression he would be in good hands.”

Palmer said they’ve also put up posters and have alerted all airline staff to be on the lookout for Ludwig.

“We can assure her that all hands are on deck when it comes to looking for Ludwig,” he said. “We’ll hope for the best.”

For her part, Mannell continues to worry about her pet.

“I’m not going sit here and say, ‘Oh, woe is me,’ but I’m really upset.”

[Legacy]

Westjet baggage handlers? I thought it was swissport in YYZ? hmmmm

[The Raven]

Westjet baggage handlers? I thought it was swissport in YYZ? hmmmm

Doesn't really matter who mocked her...Swissport or Westjet. She paid Westjet to look after her cat and they failed. And then to rub it in, someone who is either employed by Westjet or contracted to them mocks her.

[KAG]

Raven, congrats you can copy and bold . We have us a new cut-bold-paste replacment for whats his name...

[Tinosky]

This is pretty upsetting to say the least. Especially for them to start mocking the passenger. I'd fire every one of those guys down there for beign such idiots. I know things get out of hand working on the ramp. I've experienced it myself. We've had dog go nuts and escape from the cage. (fun fun) Stressful situation for everyone especially when it's a busy working area. I do understand somtimes things get tossed around but i dont belive the cage was (unlocked).

It was dropped. Made her look like an idiot. Westjet should pay the consequences. Enough said.

On another note. If you love an animal so much and you want to travel wiith it, make sure you have the proper equipment and know the proper handling measures before you leave. This could have been avoided if the passenger had a soft cennel which in turn could bring it onboard.

All in All, Westjet accepted the animal, make sure its in the owners hands after the flight.

[mikeecho]

Skirting security protocol, they even let Mannell put on a reflective vest and go into the baggage area to call for her cat. She brought along his stuffed octopus toy to try and lure him out, to no avail.

Skirting what security protocol? To get to the secure side of the terminal, this person would have had to have been issued a visitor pass and be under continuous escort.

I’m not so familiar with YYZ, but in other major airports, that requires the escorting employee to pass through a CATSA staffed check area where the employee scans their RAIC and provides biometric verification of their identity.

All pretty standard?

[Intentional Left Bank]

Cat found.

[The Raven]

Ludwig the feline returns after hiding in Toronto airport
The Canadian Press

TORONTO — A cat on the loose in Toronto's airport has been found safe after spending a couple of days wandering around a terminal.

For two days, a two-year-old cat belonging to a university student prowled Pearson International Airport after escaping from a carrier on Monday.

WestJet says the cat -- named Ludwig -- is now safe.

The cat escaped in the baggage area of the airport after its carrier was dropped while being loaded onto a conveyor belt at Terminal 3.

The cat's owner says the situation was made worse as baggage handlers mocked the woman, saying they could help find the cat by using a big dog.

WestJet says it is investigating the incident.

[aerodude]

Just watch the new WestJet commercial with everyone smiling Will give you back the good warm fuzzy feeling you had about them before

[Herc_Driver]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

[The Raven]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

That'll make the owner of the cat feel better.

[aroundthewing]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

The same people pumping Jet A1 into the WJ lavs? Nothing to see here......


viewtopic.php?f=36&t=62268

[mikeecho]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

The same people pumping Jet A1 into the WJ lavs? Nothing to see here......


viewtopic.php?f=36&t=62268

sort of...it wasn't Jet A-1

[whiteguy]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

So because they aren't actual WJ employees, it doesn't matter? Nice attitude!!!!!!!

[whiteguy]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

So because they aren't actual WJ employees, it doesn't matter? Nice attitude!!!!!!!

Sorry I mean, nice westjettitude!

[yycflyguy]

It is frustrating dealing with an uncooperative pussy.

[stickontheice]

It is frustrating dealing with an uncooperative pussy.

Are you talking about Raven or the cat???

[bombardierfixer]

Where in chapter 5 is the inspection for cat strike? Those swissport boys are gonna be gone soon. I'm looking forward to profit share at the end of the month! (Lets see, any more inflamitory statements for our little troll?)

[yycflyguy]

It is frustrating dealing with an uncooperative pussy.

Are you talking about Raven or the cat???

...or my wife? ZING! Thank-you, thank-you... I'll be in the AC forum all week. Tip your waiters.

[habs]

There's a guy who's obviously a ground handler in your latest goofy "care-antee" commercial. Enuf said.

[bombardierfixer]

And you're point is??? Just because you may drive the honey wagon doesn't mean you can't do a good job.

[wee_in_yyc]

"Obviously". Actually he's not.

[Herc_Driver]

There's a guy who's obviously a ground handler in your latest goofy "care-antee" commercial.

Yeah, but he doesn't work in YYZ ........
There are NO WestJet TAC employees below the wing in YYZ.
They are all contracted through various providers like Serviceair, Swissport and ATS.
Like any other airline who has to use their services, it's a little hard to QC and QA the service they provide.

Enuf said.

Yup, "enuf" said.

[Raybanman]

Contracted handlers below the wing in YYZ - not WestJet employees.
Nothing to see here - move along.

So because they aren't actual WJ employees, it doesn't matter? Nice attitude!!!!!!!

Sorry I mean, nice westjettitude!

Not at all in line with what WJ expects and generally recieves at most of our other destinations. I hope something gets said to Swissport about this.

I'm sure you can understand how a company may not have complete control over their ground contractors, right WhiteGuy?

Very unfortunate, and unfortunate too that these people are seen to represent WestJet. Not what we want the public to come away with at all.

Cheers,
PP

[whiteguy]

Not at all in line with what WJ expects and generally recieves at most of our other destinations. I hope something gets said to Swissport about this.

I'm sure you can understand how a company may not have complete control over their ground contractors, right WhiteGuy?

Very unfortunate, and unfortunate too that these people are seen to represent WestJet. Not what we want the public to come away with at all.

Cheers,
PP

I do completely understand but for some (Herc Driver) to pass it off as a non event because they are contract workers and not actual WJ employees isn't right either.