Just HAD To Get To Music Fest

A woman who hid onboard an American Airlines flight four months ago to attend a music festival has pleaded guilty in federal court for stowing away on the plane.

It all started March 18, when 33-year-old Catherine "Cat" Chow was waiting to fly standby from St. Louis to Austin, TX to attend the annual "South By Southwest" music festival. Unfortunately, the flight was full -- but that didn't stop Chow.

By a stroke of fortune, passengers on the plane had to deboard shortly after due to a mechanical problem -- and Chow was able to mix with the other passengers, and then sneak back onboard with the rest of the crowd.

According to court documents cited by the Associated Press, once onboard Chow hid in a lav -- and stayed there until a man knocked on the door, once the plane was already in flight.

She then vacated the bathroom, but took the man's seat. After the man came back, she was forced to change seats again -- and that was when the cabin crew became suspicious.

"She realizes she made a bad mistake," her lawyer, Sam Bassett, told the Austin American-Statesman. "It was just a bad, impulsive decision."

Chow could face up to one year in jail for the misdemeanor incident. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 18... but alas, that's not the end of the consequences for Chow's questionable choices.

The artist also faces misdeamnor charges for marijuana possession -- as well as carrying six antidepressant tablets without a prescription -- that were found on Chow's person when she was arrested.

Bummer, man.

FMI: www.tsa.gov