Sullivan and the Scorpion

David Sullivan couldn't be mistaken for Samuel L. Jackson on even his worst day. That being said, he was a bit surprised to find he was experiencing what could be called a 'sequel' of sorts to Jackson's summer 2006 movie, "Snakes on a Plane." Only this time, instead of snakes the villian is a scorpion. Apparently Sullivan was on a United flight from Houston to Chicago was dozing in his seat when he was suddenly awoken by a jabbing sensation on his shin. Soon after he began experiencing a numbness isolated to that one particular area on his leg and nowhere else. After getting off the plane (ensuring to wait until the plane had come to a complete stop and the captain had turned off the seatbelt sign) Sullivan proceeded with his family to the baggage claim when he felt it again. Rolling up his pant leg he was amazed to find a scorpion which had apparently been crawling around his legs and was occasionally 'prodding' him. Sullivan grabbed the little arachnid and went to the hospital where he was treated but it stirred the debate among travellers as to how it was possible, in this day and age of airline security that a little critter such as this could bypass security, screening and most importantly, the boarding procedures to stow itself aboard an aircraft.

United personnel believe that the scorpion probably ended up on board the plane in Texas prior to departure and it just randomly chose to visit with Sullivan. The airline immediately apologized, refunded his airfare and gave him two $250 travel vouchers but the sting still remains. While watching the movie "Snakes on a Plane" the other day I suspended my logic for a bit and just accept the story as it was. I figured it was easy for anyone with mob connections to smuggle a crate full of the deadliest snakes onto an airline and let the ensuing mayhem take care of their problems. Still, I didn't think it was all that difficult for at least one of them to have been aboard. Similarly, it isn't all that difficult for an arachnid such as a scorpion to sneak aboard either.

Let us chart if we shall the journey of the scorpion and his eventual encounter with Mr. Sullivan. It was a typical Texas day in January when the scorpion decided it was much to dull to remain in Houston anymore. The weather in the region had been unusually cold and in places like Denver there were reports of massive snowfall and more on the way. It seemed it was time to get away before he was buried. Doing what seemed to be the most logical thing, the scorpion decided to catch a flight to the east coast before the next winter storm hit the midwest. Logging on to the United website, the scorpion bought tickets for his trip to Vermont with a stop over in Chicago. The scorpion had also heard reports of snow socking in planes in Chicago as well and was a bit wary but decided to go anyways.

Boarding these days was a hassle and although he didn't have any luggage or major baggage to board, he was not looking forward to the pat downs and scanning that the TSA puts passengers through. So, deciding to forgo the aggravation, he decided to board the plane through the cargo hatch and get to his seat from there. Now getting from the cargo compartment to the seating area is easier said than done and by the time the scorpion managed to get up to the passenger compartment he was rather dismayed to see Sullivan sitting in his seat. Although it's true the scorpion had not checked in and had not been present for most of the flight, it didn't mean he could be deprived of his seat. Tired and aggravated, he proceeded to sting Sullivan. After going through all that, can you really blame him?