Passengers board flights with pets as mass evacuation continues in wildfire-affected Canada
"Calgary-based airlines Canadian North and WestJet have broken their own no-animals-allowed flying rules to help pets escape the catastrophic wildfires burning in the Canadian town of Fort McMurray. Close to 90,000 residents have been ordered to abandon the town as devastating fires — among the worst in Canada’s history — burn through an area larger than the US city of Chicago.
To assist with the mass evacuation, the two airlines allowed feline, canine and even reptile pets board flight cabins with their owners, turning the planes into flying Noah’s Arks. "Due to the unusual circumstances we were able to bend the rules to accommodate these animals,” a representative for Canadian North said. One Canadian North flight last week carried 19 dogs, including a Great Dane, five cats and two turtles alongside 130 human passengers.
“When we touched down, we got a standing ovation. It brought tears to our eyes,” flight attendant Wanda Murray told CBC"
2 comments:
The smoke went as far south as Lake Michigan.
I've been following it, I have a friend in Canada, but he is in Halifax area, not anywhere near Fort McMurray.
I'm sure WestJet allows seeing eye dogs and other companion animals for the needy, so they aren't bending their rules that much.
Rail, flight companies offer deals to Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees
Amid predictions the fire that drove the evacuation of Fort McMurray could burn for weeks or months, transportation companies that serve northern Alberta are adding flights and waiving some fees to help people get where they need to go.
Via Rail Canada Inc. is offering free tickets on trains departing from Edmonton, eastbound or westbound, for people from the areas affected by the forest fire that began last week. To help some of the 80,000 people who fled the area with just a few hours’ notice, WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Air Canada have added more flights in Alberta, waived baggage fees and allowed pets to travel in airplane cabins.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/transportation-companies-offer-deals-to-fort-mcmurray-wildfire-evacuees/article29945420/
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