Most people know that flying can be scary, but it turns out simply sitting in a stationary plane at the airport can be a nightmare, too.
We know this thanks to Facebook user Deanna Noel-Dale, who shared a post to Air Canada's page on Wednesday on behalf of her friend, Tiffani Adams. The post detailed a terrifying experience that Adams had after she fell asleep on an Air Canada flight and woke up hours later to find that the plane had landed and she was the only person left onboard.
Apparently, Adams had a row to herself on a flight from Quebec to Toronto that was about a quarter of the way full. She got comfortable and fell asleep less than halfway through the hour-and-a-half flight, only to wake up around midnight, freezing cold and on a pitch black plane. That's when she realized everyone had deplaned without waking her.
Adams texted her friend to let her know she was alone on the dark plane, and seconds after the two started a FaceTime conversation Adams' phone died.
"I’m trying to focus on my breathing and control my panic attack while I attempt to charge my phone by plugging into every USB port I could find..no luck bc when they shut the aircraft down there is no power whatsoever," the post reads.
Unsure of how to exit the plane, Adams ventured to the cockpit and found a flashlight, which she began to wave outside the window in attempt to flag someone down. She said she used the flashlight to illuminate the door and managed to unlatch it, but after opening it she looked down and noticed that she was suspended dozens of feet in the air. Luckily, after some time a luggage cart drove by.
"When I see the luggage cart driving towards me I am literally dangling my legs out of the plane... he is in shock asking how the heck they left me on the plane," the post read. "Anyway the guy had the ladder dock and I jumped to safety before he was even a foot from the door."
Umm... OK Air Canada. That's absolutely terrifying. What the heck?
A spokesperson from the airline confirmed the account to Mashable and said they are still reviewing the matter, "have followed up with the customer and remain in contact with her."
After the ordeal, Adams noted that an Air Canada car drove her to speak with a representative who offered to book her a limo and hotel for the night. She reportedly declined and wanted to go straight home, as she had work in the morning.
"Air Canada called Monday and Tuesday, both people again ask me to repeat what happened, apologize for my inconvenience and say they will do an investigation bc they have checks in place that should prevent people from being locked on the aircraft at night," the Facebook post explained.
Adams also added that she hasn't gotten much sleep since the incident, and is experiencing anxiety and night terrors, which is completely understandable.
File this under, "Travel Nightmares That Must Never Be Repeated," please.
UPDATE: June 23, 2019, 5:48 p.m. EDT Updated with a statement from Air Canada.
