Flight Attendant Tells Furious Passenger "I Am Not Your Servant" After He Made Her Colleagues Cry With Demands
“You cannot talk to me like that.”
A flight attendant gave a passenger a well-deserved telling-off after his alleged verbal abuse and behavior made her colleague cry. At one point, the passenger told the flight attendant to shut up, to which she responded with "You shut up, I'm sorry you cannot talk to me like that… I'm an employee, I'm not your servant." The incident was caught on camera on an IndiGo flight from Istanbul to Delhi on December 16, and the airline has launched an investigation into what exactly happened. Here's what caused the altercation.
The trouble started with confusion over the onboard meal plans, with the passenger apparently angry about the choices available and what he ended up getting. The man asked for a sandwich and became irate when told they would check on it. When the flight attendant tried to explain their options were limited, the man started to shout at the woman, who lost her temper in turn.
"Please try to understand, there is a cart, and counted meals are uplifted [on the plane]. We can only serve what your boarding…" she said. When the man cut her off and said, "Why are you yelling?" she responded with, "Because you are yelling at us." When the flight attendant tried reasoning with the man, the situation only got worse.
"I am so sorry, sir, but you do not talk to the crew like that," the flight attendant said. "I am peacefully listening to you with all due respect, but you have to respect the crew as well." The flight attendant also told him to stop "pointing your finger at me and yelling at me. My crew is crying because of you." the passenger shouted at the woman to shut up, which she was not having. "You shut up. I'm sorry you cannot talk to me like that… I'm an employee. I'm not your servant."
The airline released a statement about the incident. "We are aware of the incident that took place on flight 6E 12 from Istanbul to Delhi on December 16, 2022. The issue was related to meals chosen by certain passengers traveling via a codeshare connection. IndiGo is cognizant of the needs of its customers, and it is our constant endeavor to provide a courteous and hassle-free experience to our customers. We are looking into the incident and would like to assure that customers' comfort has always been our top priority. We are committed to providing the best experience at all times."
Online response to the video is mostly in favor of the aircrew, with some exceptions. "Hope IndiGo does not reprimand the crew here. Some passengers are obnoxious and it must have taken a lot for her to break down like this. She stood up for her fellow crew and she deserves only praise!" one commenter said.
But another said, "I work in the hospitality sector even if the guest is misbehaving staff can't go off the rails with the guest. In the end, she should have controlled her emotions and gotten a hold of the situation without screaming at the passenger even if they were unruly."
Flight attendants are trained professionals who are responsible for the safety, comfort, and well-being of passengers while on a flight. They work long hours in a high-stress environment and deserve respect and consideration from passengers. With that in mind, there are a few things that you should never do to a flight attendant:
Disrespect their authority: Flight attendants are responsible for enforcing safety regulations and maintaining order on a flight. It is essential to follow their instructions and respect their authority.
Ignore their requests: Flight attendants may ask you to do things for safety reasons, such as fastening your seatbelt or turning off electronic devices during takeoff and landing. Ignoring these requests can put yourself and others at risk.
Be rude or aggressive: Flight attendants are there to help you, not to be treated with disrespect or aggression. If you have a problem or concern, it is important to address it respectfully and politely.
Touch them without consent: Flight attendants are not there to be touched or fondled by passengers. It is important to respect their personal space and boundaries.
Expect special treatment: Flight attendants are there to serve all passengers, not just one individual. Expecting special treatment or privileges is not appropriate.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your flight is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on board.
Holiday travel can be stressful, especially during the holiday rush when airports and highways are packed with travelers. Here are a few tips to help calm your nerves and make your holiday travel a little less stressful:
Plan ahead: Make sure you have all of your travel documents in order, including your passport (if necessary), tickets, and any necessary visas. Pack your bags well in advance so that you have plenty of time to gather everything you need.
Allow extra time: Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport or to your destination. Traffic and security lines can be longer during the holiday season, so it's important to allow extra time for these potential delays.
Stay organized: Keep all of your important documents and travel essentials in one place, such as a carry-on bag or personal item. This will help you stay organized and reduce the risk of losing anything important.
Take breaks: If you're driving long distances, make sure to take breaks to stretch your legs and rest. It's also a good idea to bring snacks and water to keep yourself hydrated and energized.
Stay positive: It's easy to get frustrated during holiday travel, but try to stay positive and focus on the reason you're traveling. Whether it's to be with loved ones or to experience new things, try to keep that in mind, and it can help put things in perspective.
