**BREAKING: SNAKE ON THE LOOSE… LITERALLY!**
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – In a bizarre incident that has left passengers hissing with frustration, a Qantas flight from Melbourne Airport was delayed for a whopping 75 minutes yesterday after a slithery stowaway was discovered hiding in the cargo hold.
According to eyewitnesses, the 3-foot-long snake, identified as a non-venomous “Snugglebug” species (don’t ask), somehow managed to sneak onto the plane and make itself at home in the luggage compartment.
“I was just trying to get to my holiday in Bali, and suddenly the whole flight is delayed because of a snake on the loose!” exclaimed passenger, Karen Jenkins. “I mean, I’ve heard of snakes on a plane, but this is ridiculous!”
Airport officials reportedly received a frantic call from the flight crew, warning of a “reptilian renegade” on board. “We were like, ‘What’s the hold up?’ and they’re like, ‘There’s a snake in the cargo hold!'” said a Qantas spokesperson, still chuckling about the incident.
The snake, who has been named “Slinky” by airport staff, was safely coaxed out of the cargo hold by a team of brave (or foolhardy) Qantas employees, who used a combination of flattery, snacks, and a very large towel to corral the slithery stowaway.
“It was like it had been planning this whole thing,” said airport wildlife expert, Dr. Jane Smith. “I mean, who needs a passport when you’ve got a cargo hold to hide in?”
The flight eventually took off, albeit a little later than scheduled, with all passengers and crew members (and Slinky, who was relocated to a more suitable habitat) safe and sound.
When asked for comment, Qantas officials simply shook their heads and muttered, “Only in Australia…”
