Idiot Flyer Packs Live House Cat in Checked Luggage
Dear former owners of Slim the house cat: I hate you.
As reported by TSA spokesman Mike England, unnamed people packed a live house cat in their checked luggage.
While baggage compartments are typically pressurized and temperature controlled, all kinds of terrible things can happen to checked bags between the time they're dropped at the counter and when you pick them up at the carousel. Not to mention the fact that baggage handlers aren't charged with feeding and otherwise caring for live animals — especially those they aren't aware of.
So, rather than tucking your furry friend in with your haphazardly packed flannel shirts and jeans, you should follow your airline's procedures for traveling with a pet — either by paying a fee to bring it with you in the cabin or arranging for transportation in the cargo hold.
And if you can't afford to pay to transport your pet properly, be sure to leave them under the care of a responsible human at home.