'Jack the Cat' Missing at JFK Airport; Facebook Users Condemn American Airlines
It’s not uncommon for American Airlines to lose a bag, but it is uncommon for them to lose a cat. Now the airline is on the hunt for a missing cat as Facebook users are taking them to task.
Jack the cat has been missing for five days now, and American Airlines hopes he is somewhere in the baggage area at John F. Kennedy airport in New York City. Jack was lost after he was kenneled and passed onto baggage handlers on August 25. Moments later, airport authorities called Jack’s owner to tell her the cat was missing somewhere in the baggage area.
After an hour-long search failed to turn up the missing feline, Karen Pascoe boarded a later flight and was assured that she’d get a phone call as soon as Jack was found.
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But Pascoe said that American Airlines did not contact her until Sunday, about 66 hours after she was told her pet was missing, CBSLocal.com reported.
“I have to say it was really slow-moving to get a response from American and I get that there’s a backdrop of a hurricane,” Pascoe told 1010 WINS. “My cat’s lost, I’m in shock, it’s a total nightmare and they don’t call me for a couple of days.”
As the story of Jack got around, people have expressed their outrage at American Airlines online on Facebook. Pascoe’s sister created a Facebook page titled, “Jack the Cat is Lost in AA Baggage at JFK.” The page had nearly 3,000 “likes” at the time this story was written, with many comments attacking American Airlines for losing Jack.
Meg Boshell posted, “Hey AA, stand up and make this right. Go find Jack and return him to his family!”
Diana Heald warned American Airlines they would lose business if Jack was not found.
What if we lost one of your 'children' AA?” she posted. “You better hope that cat isn't found dead!!! Because no one will ever want to fly with your airline ever again!!!”
Tracy Lynn Sharon expressed her dislike for how the situation has been handled thus far and also warned the airline of lost business. “AA is an extremely large and busy company - we all get that - but the true test of any business is the compassion and humanity that shows through in situations like this,” she posted.
“So far, the airline has shown ineptitude and what sounds like very insincere platitudes. You lose my business, AA, if you don't find that cat and make amends for what you've done. Remember that this is someone's family...not just a cat. Shame on you,” Sharon added.
Many posters mentioned they would use the power of prayer to help find Jack.
“I will say a prayer that you find your sweet Jack,” Mindy Carlisle posted.
And Maria Tsilimidou said, “I'm praying for Jack's safe return.”
American Airlines felt the pressure from angry customers and are posting updates on its Facebook page to keep the public informed about the search for Jack.
“Food and water has been placed around the operation since Thursday,” the airline posted. Adding, “If Jack feels comfortable returning to his kennel, we have placed food and water inside as well.”
Jeremy Fritz said the search effort was being intensified due to the diligence of customers. “Good to hear something is finally being done,” he posted on the airline’s Facebook page. “But we should keep in mind that the ONLY reason, it seems, that AA is handling this now the way they should have been handling it since jack was LOST (on the 25th) is because of the calls, emails, posts, etc. We need to keep it up!!”
According to MSNBC.com, Pascoe has also credited customers’ reactions over the incident with American Airlines putting such great effort into finding Jack.
“I can’t help but feel a little frustrated that they didn’t have a better procedure in place,” she said. “But they’re finally stepping up and are on their game to help me.”
