That time a seagull in Seattle taught me to double-check my tool bag

I was doing a pre-flight on a Cessna 172 at Boeing Field, had my bag open on the wing stand. This huge seagull swooped down, grabbed my favorite 3/8 drive ratchet right out of the open pouch, and flew off with it. I just stood there, watching my tool flap away over the taxiway. We found it later, about fifty yards away in the grass, covered in bird... stuff. The funny thing is, I'd been lazy about zipping the bag up between tasks for years. After that, I bought those carabiner clips for every pouch and I never leave anything open to the sky. Has anyone else had a local animal mess with their gear?

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3 Comments

the_riley7mo ago

Ever had a squirrel steal your lunch?

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vale197mo ago

A squirrel once took a whole bagel right from my hand. It didn't even run away, just stared at me while it ate. That level of boldness is actually scary.

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craig.reese6mo ago

A 3/8 drive ratchet is a heavy piece of metal, that bird must have been on a serious mission. I can't get over the image of it just flapping off, struggling with the weight. I'd have been too stunned to even yell. That's a way better story than just losing a tool in the grass, at least you got it back, even if it was gross.

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