Did you know that there are currently about 14,000 airplanes flying around in the air?
Although the number of aircraft taking off and landing around the world increases every year, construction of new runways is not included in the development.
It’s no wonder that flight delays have become so common!
However, it is not always bad weather or rushing at the airport causes delays.
Sometimes it’s a passenger who is causing all of the drama …
Thanks to all smartphones, we can follow most of our world — even in the cabin of an airplane.
It may not happen too much while you’re actually flying, but before take-off and after landing, many people take pictures and post on social media.
But when Kristen Wiley snapped a picture of what happened during her last flight, people noticed because of a completely different reason.
Kristen was stuck on a delayed flight at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, recently. Then she decided to post a photo with the following message on her Facebook page.
There was an interesting reason why her Alaska Airlines Flight 748 had not moved an inch at the airport.
She wrote:
“We are currently sitting on a plane, with a 45 minute delay. Why? Because there is an elderly woman suffering from dementia, who is very upset and confused.”
Kristen understood that it must have been a very scary situation for the woman, especially when a security guard in a yellow vest came on the plane and approached the confused woman’s seat. Only the passengers in the vicinity knew what had happened and everyone watched closely as the guard got ready in the hallway to approach the woman.
The sick, elderly woman was confused and hugged her service dog, in a desperate attempt to understand what was happening. It couldn’t have been easy for this older woman to suddenly end up in a crowded seat, packed like a sardine in a flying jar.
Of course, many of the passengers were frustrated and annoyed by the long delay.
The incredible staff of #alaskaairlines is being extremely patient and compassionate, in what can only be a very scary situation for her. Explaining every step, cuddling her dog, working with her husband/caregiver to find the best solution. In short, the entire crew giving so much kindness.
Fortunately, the solution was not to drag her off the plane, which would probably create more worry and chaos. The crew had a different idea.
And when Kirsten saw what the crew members did and how they solved the situation, she couldn’t be angry for the flight delay.
In fact, she was taken aback with joy! It’s not every day you witness such a heartbreaking situation, that is handled with such compassion and care.
The attentive staff on the flight communicated quietly with the speaker system, describing what had happened. They also explained why the older woman and her husband were escorted off the plane.
She only needed some extra peace and quiet with her husband and dog, to feel less stressed about the trip.
“Alaska Airlines calmly assisted the woman, her husband/caregiver and sweet pup off the plane, providing hotel and transportation with plans to rest up and try again the following day. Again, incredible compassion given to the both of them while quietly explaining the situation to other passengers.”
At a time when airlines and, above all, airline employees get a lot of shame about delays, although it’s usually not the employees’ fault, this story is heartwarming.
It’s rare to see people and businesses in a good light, but this uplifting news is something we all can take time to think about.
Care, compassion, and service are something that we need to be better at!
“This is how I would want my mother, my sister, my aunt, my daughter, my niece, my friend cared for,” wrote Kristen.
Every “passenger” deserves first-class treatment in this trip we call life, and it’s not up to any airline or other company to provide this.
It’s common people like you and me, we have the power to make others feel like a loved one, just through our simple actions.
Do not forget it and press the SHARE button to spread the message!
