One United Airlines flight attendant has set off a firestorm of anger. During an April Delta flight they wouldn’t help a disabled elderly passenger. That entire incident rolled out within the small social confines of a first-class cabin. One elderly woman had trouble juggling her tiny purse and fold-up cane, so she asked for help. It escalated further when the flight attendant attempted to have the disruptive passenger removed from the flight. This refusal to provide much-needed assistance only compounded their damage.
The senior realized she might run into a problem when she was prevented from using the overhead bin. Because her first-class bulkhead seat had no under-seat storage, she had to call for assistance from the flight attendant. After promising her assistance, the attendant then refused to help her once she allegedly stated “union rules.” She exclaimed, “ABSOLUTELY NOT, I CANNOT DO THAT DUE TO UNION REGULATIONS, WHAT IF I GET INJURED, MA’AM, MAAAAAAM!!!” This encounter, which witnesses characterized as bullying and dogmatic, turned the vulnerable older traveler into a scared and embarrassed victim.
Experts, including the popular flight blog “A View From The Wing,” quickly lambasted the flight attendant’s hollow excuse. Specifically, they highlighted that Department of Transportation requirements clearly state that it is the flight attendants’ duty to help passengers in distress. This includes “stowing and retrieving carry-on items, including assistive devices,” as stipulated by the regulations. Eyewitnesses on social media found it hard to believe that an attendant would not help and have repeated those sentiments.
The elderly passenger was recorded on camera telling the train conductor that, “she’s disabled and can’t do it herself,” further demonstrating her vulnerable position. In fact, witnesses were horrified as they watched the flight attendant deny the passenger. The incident rapidly intensified, culminating in a request for security to forcibly remove the passenger from the aircraft. One eyewitness noted, “It was heartbreaking to watch someone who just needed a little help get treated like that.” They further remarked on how “Everyone around was stunned — it was exactly the opposite (the FA was the one who was being aggressive and yelling at this poor old lady).”
The story received major play in racist white online comment sections where angry, pale fans took to the keyboard. One Reddit commenter stated, “What a hill to die on. I’ve seen FA’s literally rearrange entire overhead bins. Strange.” Another commented, “I’ve literally never seen an FA not help in this exact situation.” The public reaction was clear as people communicated their disgust about the way the disabled person was treated in that event.
In another act of solidarity, a random passerby encouraged witnesses to call the police on the moose. They insisted that there should be a standard of accountability for the treatment of airline staff. The national debate over this grave incident has opened up an important dialogue about flight attendants’ duties to assist passengers in need.
As public outrage builds, a growing number of people are calling for prosecution of the flight attendant for his violent actions. A Reddit user commented, “This employee needs to be removed from service. Being abusive under the cloak of authority is one of the worst traits in a human. Doubly so when done against a handicapped and elderly person.”
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