Gabrielle Caron was returning home from a trip in Mexico when her stopover flight from Toronto to Moncton encountered an unexpected event. While Air Canada Rouge Flight 1502 was taxiing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Caron observed flight attendants rushing down the cabin aisle. The aircraft halted before reaching the runway, prompting Caron to look out the window.
She noticed the crew congregating around the plane, signaling that something was amiss. The pilot then informed the passengers that a crew member was in the luggage hold. Fortunately, the worker emerged unharmed and reassured everyone of his safety inside the cabin.
The incident occurred on Dec. 13 on the Airbus 321A, capable of accommodating up to 184 travelers. Air Canada disclosed that the cargo doors were inadvertently shut while a ground crew member was inside, emphasizing that there were no injuries and an investigation is ongoing. The union representing the ground crew declined to offer comments.
Following the incident, the plane returned to the terminal, and passengers were asked to disembark while the flight crew completed necessary paperwork. Due to the pilot’s work hours exceeding the limit, the flight was further delayed, eventually leading to its cancellation at 1:15 a.m. the next day. The plane eventually departed at 8 p.m.
Stephanie Cure, another Moncton passenger, recounted hearing the trapped crew member’s calls for help after being alerted by fellow passengers. Cure captured the situation on video and shared it on her travel-focused social media platforms, garnering nearly 500,000 views on Instagram alone.
Despite the disruption, Cure received $1,000 in compensation, while Caron only received a $400 voucher and an apology from Air Canada for the delay. Aviation analyst John Gradek suggested that passengers like Caron might be entitled to more compensation. Gradek hinted at potential legal action due to the incident resulting from improper ground crew procedures.
Although the aircraft did not take off, Gradek stated that the crew member would have survived the flight had it done so. He highlighted the importance of the ongoing investigation in determining crucial details about the incident. Caron expressed relief that everyone involved was unharmed, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of travel experiences.