A TikTok video shows a Southwest Airlines flight where a passenger is ordering around a flight attendant, first saying she needs her son seated by her, then that the crewmember needs to store her bag for her, and also that she needed help getting her seatbelt belted.
The Southwest crewmember says, “You’re making so many demands of me. We’re not gonna have this chaos in the air” and the woman replies “I’m hearing impaired so sorry if I sound chaotic.” It’s her disability.
The flight attendant responds: “I’m here to help, but I’m not gonna sit here and be berated.”
The passenger complains, “somebody’s using God’s name in vain behind me.” As the flight attendant helped the passenger with her seatbelt, it appears that the passenger’s phone fell. The flight attendant picked it up off of the ground for her, and the woman said “Thank you that hit my foot.”
And the user posting this video to TikTok adds the caption that “having a disability is not an excuse to mistreat other people.” What do you think?
@jaynithof23 This is so sad. Kudos to the flight attendants that kept their composure throughout the flight. #anotherkarensighting #southwest ♬ original sound – Jaynithof23
In the U.S., flight attendants are there for your safety, not to provide service. At least that’s what they’d have you believe, even if you buy a first class ticket (good luck getting a predeparture beverage on American). The FAA requires airlines staff them on planes, generally at a ratio of one per fifty seats.
The head of the largest flight attendants union says you should never press the flight attendant call button for a drink, and even tried to get the government to ban alcohol on planes which would reduce the amount of service her members would have to provide.
But they are there for safety, and passengers with disability have rights to assistance under the Air Carrier Access Act that makes plane travel available to them. And Southwest flight attendants are generally happier and more interested in being helpful than most.
Still, if you want them to do things outside of the normal course, you need to be nice. You need to be friendly. That’s true whether the basis for your request is a disability or any other need. When someone doesn’t personally benefit by being helpful to you, whether an airline employee or Comcast service rep, you need to build a rapport so that they feel good about being helpful. Why be nasty and come across as entitled? That will just push people off.
(HT: Paul H)
I have hit the call button to request a drink, if you count water. I wasn’t feeling well.
On the main topic: No, being disabled is not an excuse to be an asshole. And being “hearing impaired” is not a reason to need help with the seat belt. There are reasons somebody might, but that’s not one of them.
It IS something you should tell the flight attendants, though, so they can make sure they turn towards you if speaking to you, such as during beverage service, so you can read lips properly. For example.
Should have kicked the fat whale off the flight regardless of her problem(s).
More like she couldn’t hear the flight attendant over the crunching of the Oreos. There’s a way to deal with the seatbelt issue and it involves a healthier diet.
disability is being used as a weapon, there was a fat white guy onboard asking an EAV attendant to wipe his ass while he sat on the toilet seat. the mentality that one is not bounded by one’s disability is being abused by dumb people and there are a whole bunch of them
Sounds like a fun flight for nearby passengers on the whale sighting tour.
What a b****.
Good for the FA in dealing with that escapee from the asylum.
If that passenger lady wasn’t wh*te everyone would say that flight attendant was being r&ci$t.
Unfortunately a lot of the flying public are like the disgruntled woman. Of course those who are that way don’t see it in themselves. The flight attendant was great.
That’s right, @Don, that’s right!
Connecting in DFW at the moment. PDB offered and served on AA departing LGA this morning.
I have been on foreign airlines where the flight attendants expect one to press the call button for something like a drink, even in economy class. What do US flight attendants think about that? It seems problematic that US flight attendants would demand something that goes against the international norm.
PDB also offered and served on the regional out of DFW.
@Gary… must have a soda in hand so you can show all the people walking passed you that you have a soda? I do not understand who cares about having the FAs block the aisle for short flights so you can show everyone that you have a soda.
I like southwest for domestic travel for no nonsense travel free bags and hilarious crew sometimes . Even though we have pre board access due to our autistic child , we always give courtesy and stand behind those on wheelchairs . . But man , on return from Orlando , they had like 7 woman on wheelchairs ahead of us with some whole family members trying to pre boardi with them . . Only to find out later that 6 of them are fake disability cos they were walking up and down and going to toilet and some stretching their legs . Totally fake disability . Meanwhile our son with real disability autism bad to wait behind these fake handicapped on wheelchairs . Next time I will ignore these wheelchairs and go all the way top. Anyone using wheelchair or flight crew challenge us , we will take them on
She is hearing impaired but she can hear someone behind her using the lord’s name in vain?
It’s a shame that some adults still find a need to ridicule others and deploy atrocious stereotypes based on physical traits.
I have to use a cane sometimes – I have a permanent calf injury that waxes and wanes in its severity, so it does impact my mobility. I think the only thing I have ever asked of a flight attendant is if I could store my cane in the front closet during the flight since I worry about it getting snapped in the overhead bin. (Yes, I have a folding cane, but they aren’t always as stable as a solid cane.) And I can walk short distances without it, so it’s easy enough to grab on my way out.
But I *always* ask nicely if it’s possible I could have it stored there. And the random times I’ve gotten a “No, we can’t do that” I don’t kick up a fuss. (If I’m flying FC, it’s always been a yes – it’s hit or miss if I’m in Economy+, and I don’t really fly straight economy anymore because of the calf.)
FA’s are not personal servants!
Predeparture beverages seems to be a meme you can’t let go of. I’ve take flights recently and they were given on every flight. I think more than a few bloggers end up feeling a bit too entitled and constantly whine on stuff that is far from 100% true.
That woman did have some type of disability. A nervous disorder of some sort aggravated by the excitement of flying would be my guess.
The high maintenance broad – she never really disappeared!
I laughed when you mention the Comcast service rep.
Jut as bad service from Cox cable phone reps as well.
@Jim. “Anyone using wheelchair or flight crew challenge us , we will take them on.”
Your flight crew does not care who gets on the plane first, middle, or last. We just want to get the door closed. No need to worry about taking on the flight crew. It may be a good idea to mention an unseen disability to the gate agent prior to the start of boarding. (No need to specify.).
And, for the people that walk around after using a wheelchair to board—that is the miraculous work of Jetbridge Jesus!
@Jim
You don’t know that the people using wheelchairs have “fake” disabilities. I have an elderly mother that can walk fine for short distances but requests a wheelchair at the airport because they are huge. The walking distances at EWR, PHL, DFW, ORD, etc. can be very long! She only travels with an assigned seat, so she is not trying to scam anyone.
Even without personal knowledge of individual circumstances, you have managed to develop a “disability ranking system” that somehow justifies your placement at the front of the line! (wow, see how that works…..me good…..you bad).
Next time, try being an honorable person. Instead of judging everyone else, one parent boards with your child and the rest of your family waits like everyone else. You are not a victim: just an entitled whiner.
My sons are handicapped mentally and physically but I think they know more than I realize. I might excuse a temper tantrum as part of their disabilities but not totally. I feel like they know what they are doing and that it’s wrong to mistreat people. Some disabled people have no excuse and they definitely know better than to take advantage of other people. Whatever is bothering my sons, if they’re tired, frustrated etc. I try to calm them down and tell them not to take it out on others.
Good manners are always a win for everyone. Even with paid servants, airline employees, or public servants. When you want good service, you show appreciation for the service and also tolerate that there is more than one good way to accomplish a task. So no, a disability is not an excuse to be rude, even though it can be very difficult to navigate airports and airplanes. Travelers are stressed, but that should be an incentive to try harder to be a good example, not think they are special. Children are watching. Our rudeness teaches them it’s OK.
Being physically handicapped doesn’t mean you have to have to have your hand held like a 2 year old and if you can’t act like a human they should have them removed and banned, I have a physical handicap and it can be hard to walk a long distance, etc and I ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU AND TRY TO BE NICE, IT GOES A LONG WAY
Flight attendants are not on the clock until the airplane door closes. They are not there to help with baggage and serve drinks during boarding. If they throw out their back from lifting a heavy bag, too bad, it’s on their time so there’s no workman’s comp. Flight attendants are told this! Time to tell the passengers who are expecting to be waited on during boarding. It’s not happening and that’s why!
Where’s the “service” pitbull?…..she’s DEFINITELY the type.
I have some measure of disability and discomfort when flying. The first thing I do on any flight is talk to the person in charge at the entry and let them know I have anxiety and could I obtain some ice in a cup please as it helps me. They are more than happy to help me because they dont want a problem but you always ask with the humility. On all but one flight I have a cup of ice in my hand before we are moving and they have also checked on me multiple times in flight and brought me cookies because they thought that may also help me 🙂
@guflyer – “I have been on foreign airlines where the flight attendants expect one to press the call button for something like a drink, even in economy class. What do US flight attendants think about that? It seems problematic that US flight attendants would demand something that goes against the international norm.”
What do US flight attendants think about that?? They likely don’t give a damn. Why would they? Just because foreign airlines do something doesn’t mean that US airlines are automatically going to do it.
What’s wrong with expecting safety supervision AND service from the FA’s? It deos seem that many (most) foreign carriers manage to have their in-cabin crew do both.
I use Special Assistance to board an aeroplane. I can stand and walk with support, but not for very long, and not very far, as I have arthritis and lung disease, hence the wheelchair in the queues. So I can walk to the toilet, holding onto the seat backs because it isn’t very far, or for very long. I’m not faking it. Not all disabilities require a wheelchair, no r are they visible. I can only suggest Jim tries to adopt a more charitable outlook with people.
@Tim, what a most ridiculous statement. FA’s internally calculated time for FAA “flight duty” purposes might not start until the doors are closed, but they are certainly being compensated and covered by Worker’s Comp from the moment they check in for a flight. Should a flight sit at the gate for a mechanical or weather for 3 hours, then is cancelled, they ain’t being compensated? What union or state labor board would put up with that? Please…
I use a cane when I need to, so I echo the previous gentleman’s comment. The only issues I’ve had with it is TSA assuming it could be used as a weapon. FAs don’t care what I do with it. Some are ok with it leaning up against a window, others want it overhead, some will put it in the front closet with their own bags. Like everyone here knows, if you’re nice and dress like someone who isn’t going to WalMart or the gym you get treated well.
FAs are *NOT* off the clock until the doors close. That’s a misunderstanding. Their union rates for full time duty kick in at that time, but they are on-duty and subject to company rules and regulations once in uniform, extra on airport grounds, double-extra on board the jetway or aircraft to which they’ve been assigned. That doesn’t make them anyone’s bitch, though, which leads to:
WHEN SHOULD YOU PUSH THE CALL-ATTENDANT BUTTON?
– not for an alcoholic drink. Wait for drink service. I hear the guy above me who needed water. Water is the elixir of life and you shouldn’t have to suffer or be in pain because you don’t want to violate that “don’t hit the button” rule. Cross-apply this logic to the lady in the poop-in-her-seat article because the FA was having a power trip. NEVER should a pax (or anyone) have to be treated like crap because of the FA or “rules.”
– seat issues, either mechanical, tray, pax interactions next to you or in front leaning into you, or the kid in back kicking you. FAs have to be referees. Sorry, not sorry, but that’s part of the job.
– medical concerns.
– emergency nature items. This can include watching the engine fall off the wing, a bag hitting you on your head because President WalMart opened up the overhead bin, or a gremlin on the wing.
– The FA is hot and you want her number. First, pat her on her… oh no, just kidding, but you’d be surprised how many times that REALLY happens. Last time I saw that I turned incredulously and the other 14 people in the cabin were equally dumbfounded. (16 less dipshit less me = 14).
All that having been said, airlines and particularly US airlines are worsening their service. I won’t get into the spirit(s) of requiring a pre-takeoff drink but rather they are minimizing all services, and shrinkflation is indeed a thing.
E
Tucson
Arizona
106°F
@Ehud Gavron. When I go to Wal Mart I don’t dress formally but I don’t go in my pajamas or show major skin either. A person shouldn’t be treated well based on how they are dressed. I can see where certain modes of dress ( or undress) are inappropriate for the circumstances. A t shirt or sweat shirt, sweat pants and tennis shoes on a plane seem ok to me. Gary had a previous post where the airport employees directed a man to the restroom and provided him with hygiene supplies and a change of clothes so he could make his flight. I call that real empathy and real customer service.
I would also note you should absolutely call the attendant if certain items that are important to your safety or that of others are missing from your seat. Namely:
Barf bag (even if you think you won’t need it).
Safety card.
Life jacket. (It has happened. I used to think I was paranoid for always checking there’s one there and then there was an incident where one went missing and I decided I’m not paranoid ;)).
Since when does having a hearing problem stop her from putting her bag in the overhead bin?
No wonder she’s a heifer.
This is what no fly lists are for-Karens!