As our annual summer trip to Jamaica ended and we sat on the plane ready to leave, I noticed an interaction between a passenger who was taking his seat and the flight attendant.
The flight attendant, in a very calm voice was saying something to the passenger. The passenger was very dismissive to the flight attendant, and was not answering the question being asked. As he was seated in the exit row, the flight attendant was asking if he would be willing to serve in case of an emergency. The passenger kept insisting based on something else, without ever answering the question.
As I’ve been taught to remain observant, I kept paying attention. The flight attendant made an offer, but the passenger was yet again dismissive and started talking about what his flight status was. I noticed the flight attendant choosing not to engage and simply walked away. However, he went and informed his other crew members.
Shortly after, the passenger was on the phone, seeming to think all was well with his defiance and rudeness. Meanwhile, I noticed his bag being removed from the flight.
Another crew member came, very calmly, asking him to leave the flight. He refused and said the flight attendant had not been telling the truth and he (the passenger) needed to be asked the question in a different way.
That person left, and called someone else, who told him the same thing. He needed to get off the plane. He once again refused.
A third person was called in, and after being told he would be put on a different plane (this crew would not fly with him because they recognized that he would not be cooperative in case of a real emergency). He tried to get back the original offer of a different seat, but at that point, it was too late and that offer had been rescinded.
He finally got the memo as the flight was not going to be leaving – and he deplaned.
Somehow, in all of this, he thought his status was going to allow him to stay on a plane that he had shown that he did not respect the crew that was there to care for him.
As you may know me by now, I rarely share other people’s experiences, however, it was a powerful example and reminder that our status will not save us, and how we treat others will go a much farther way to getting our desires.
One of the irony around this whole situation is that only one person thought he wasn’t being treated well. Everyone who was seated in the surrounding area and privy to what was unfolding, realized that the flight attendant had handled the situation as best as he could have and were all ready to vouch for the way the flight attendant had handled the situation.
Friends, no matter what we deem our statuses in life to be, may we never forget how important it is to be kind to others, no matter how we might view them. By being kind, we may serve angels without even knowing it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for these reminders of how important it is to be kind and to treat others well. May we always be reminded that we are equal in your sight, no matter what status we may feel like we have attained.