The holiday season, a time for joy and homecoming, turned into a nightmare for one traveler desperately trying to reach her family for Christmas. Alexandra Compton, of Portland, Oregon, found her carefully laid plans crumbling at the gate, all because of her two feline companions.
A viral video captured the escalating confrontation with an Alaska Airlines employee, revealing a woman on the verge of despair. Compton’s voice, laced with frustration, demanded to see the policy that dictated the weight restrictions for pets traveling in-cabin – a policy she claimed wasn’t visible during the booking process.
The airline staffer calmly explained the issue wasn’t about size, but about ensuring the cats had adequate space and range of motion within the carrier. He attempted to show her the relevant guidelines, but Compton remained unconvinced, insisting the information was inaccurate and hidden from potential travelers.
“You haven’t even seen my cat, so you’re not letting me go home for Christmas!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word. The employee, maintaining his composure, clarified he wasn’t intentionally preventing her travel, a statement that only fueled her outrage.
The situation worsened when it was revealed Compton hadn’t officially booked her cats on the flight. She argued her mother had attempted to do so, but the airline’s website was confusing and unhelpful. Years of previous travel with her cats, she claimed, had never presented such a problem.
A discrepancy arose regarding pet fees, with Compton stating she typically paid $120 for her cats to travel as checked baggage. The employee corrected her, explaining Alaska Airlines’ fees ranged from $100 to $200, suggesting she might be confusing them with another carrier.
Interestingly, the airline’s policy did allow for up to two pets of similar size to share a carrier, provided they weren’t overcrowded or distressed. However, the staffer stood firm, emphasizing the current situation didn’t meet those requirements and that company policy superseded individual comfort assessments.
“You can do whatever you choose,” he stated, “But I’m letting you know that there is a policy around your pets that don’t have enough room, and you don’t get to decide the company policy.” Compton retorted, her voice filled with emotion, “Why are you ruining Christmas right now? Your company doesn’t decide if my cats are comfortable or not.”
Ultimately, Compton was forced to purchase a second carrier and secure a spot on a later flight to accommodate both cats. She documented the ordeal in a Facebook post, expressing her fury towards Alaska Airlines and their perceived lack of customer service, wishing them “coal for Christmas.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of pet travel and the potential for holiday plans to be derailed by unforeseen circumstances. It highlights the importance of thoroughly understanding airline policies and ensuring all requirements are met before embarking on a journey, especially during the busy holiday season.
