Alaska Airlines flight out of Oakland canceled due to rodent

A rat discovered in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight at Oakland International Airport on Tuesday grounded the aircraft and left passengers scrambling for alternative travel plans. Flight 915 was scheduled to depart Oakland at 9:15 a.m. local time for Portland, however the 110 passengers were pulled off the plane due to the rodent problem, said airport spokeswoman Keonnis Taylor. "An Alaska Airlines aircraft departing Oakland International Airport was cancelled today due to reports of a mouse in the cockpit of the aircraft," Taylor said. "The flight's 110 passengers are being accommodated as appropriate by Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco and San Jose airports." Alaska Airlines released a statement calling the stowaway rodent a rat, saying it was spotted as passengers were boarding the plane around 8:30 a.m. "That's when a rat was spotted jumping from the jet way to inside the aircraft," the airline said. "Any passengers onboard the aircraft were deplaned." Most passengers found new flights Tuesday, with some having to wait until Wednesday morning.<br/>