An Alaska Airlines plane bound for Los Angeles had to make a quick turnaround and return to Seattle after the pilot detected the sound of banging from inside the cargo hold.
On landing, a dozy ramp agent was found inside the pressurized and temperature-controlled front cargo hold after having apparently fallen asleep on the job.
Flight 448 was in the air for about 14 minutes, Alaska said.
"After landing, the agent, an employee of Menzies Aviation, walked off the aircraft from the front cargo hold. Upon exiting, he told authorities he had fallen asleep," the airline said.
"The ramp agent appeared OK, and was transported to the hospital as a precaution. We are actively investigating the matter."
