School was out, and Los Angeles International Airport was bulging with passengers. Planes were late, tempers were flaring, and the holiday spirit was nowhere to be seen. Then the announcement came: Our flight to Denver had been cancelled. No explanation was given. Which meant the airline was responsible — if the airport or weather were to blame, they’d have told us.
Cranky passengers were greeted by an even crankier Steward. Allen (my partner in the comedy act Mitch & Allen) and I knew that FAA regulations required them to put us on a competitor’s flight if they didn’t have one of their own leaving within four hours. We also knew they would not offer this unless it was demanded.
The only person who seemed truly cheery was the man in front of us, a Texas CEO-type in a tailored suit with boots and a Stetson who stood at least 6 foot 5 (7 foot 5 with the hat). He was warmly encouraging the “little lady” in front of him, a skinny single mom hefting a baby and towing a toddler.
When she got to the counter, the Steward said flatly, “Sorry,” (he didn’t sound like it), “our next flight out is tomorrow at 9:15. Here are your tickets.”
The young woman began to cry. “But I…I got two kids and I don’t got no money for a hotel. All our family is in Colorado and—”
“Sorry. Next.” The Steward waved her off.
The young mom stood there, quietly sobbing.
The Businessman gently shifted her aside and stepped up the counter.
“Our next flight is—” the Steward began. But his speech was cut short by the sudden tightening of his collar around his neck. The Businessman had reached across the counter and, with one hand, lifted him approximately eight inches off the ground.
“You’re gonna put this little lady and her cubs on the next flight out of here. Aren’t you?”
“Well, no, sir, I’m not allowed to—”
“Right, you’re not ‘allowed’ to, you’re required to. And your gonna do it. Aren’t you?”
“Y…yes, sir.”
“And you’re gonna put ‘em in first class to make up for all the inconvenience. Aren’t you?”
“Well, I…”
“Aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. I knew you’d have a change of heart. Oh, yeah, and don’t forget to apologize real loud so everybody can hear when you give her the tickets.” Then he quietly returned the Steward to terra firma.
And at that moment, at least eighty weary passengers broke into raucous, spontaneous applause.
The holiday spirit had arrived.
I cheered, too!
What a story! Thanks, Mitch. I can picture you and your friend entertaining the crowd, as well. Perspective: it’s most needed when it’s hardest to find.
Very true, David.
Ha Ha , YES !!! Love it 👍🏼🤠♥️
Hmm, justice. Justice often feels like a holiday, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s because it doesn’t happen very often and is completely out of the norm.
I’m applauding too!!!
:>)
Great outcome from a knight in shining armor, Mitch!
I really like that Texan!
What a great story! Reminds me of how Jesus stands up for us when we think the world is against us.
What if the texan had been 5’6″ (ok 6’6″ with the hat)?
What if he hadn’t been that strong?
That steward bullied the woman because it was faster than offering her the next flight out on another airline. He bullied her because he could.
In the same way, the Texan bullied the other bully, because he could.
And the airline was bullying all the passengers by telling them that they could only get replacement tickets from their company rather than offering them the best service.
The Texan was like the biggest bully in the school standing up for the little girl with the cokebottle glasses and no fashion sense against the mean guys showing off for the mean girls.
Their attitude is not unlike those that say, “if they don’t know how the system works, they deserve to be taken advantage of.”
That’s a great story. Well, with a little minor assault, but still.
;>)
You made me feel better, because I thought you’ll say the businessman didn’t give a sh** grabbed his ticket and left. Because that type of man in the story are very rare.
I can imagine how overwhelmed with gratitude that young woman was! <3 So glad you shared the story. 🙂
She was thrilled.
😊
Good for the Texan!! I would have cheered, too.
Cowboy etiquette is very effective. Thanks for sharing a great story with a satisfying ending, Mitch.
My pleasure, Nancy.
The typical travelogue of Pioneer days describe a raw, young nation in which a single woman could travel alone in absolute safety, being treated everywhere with delighted respect. 👌
“FAA regulations required them to put us on a competitor’s flight if they didn’t have one of their own leaving within four hours. ” Wow! I did not know that. I’ve been put on so many flights the next day and missing important stuff. It was great that the businessman was helping out the poor lady with children. Apparently there’s a new law coming that require airlines to fully compensate passengers for excessive delays and cancelations.
The same thing happened to me and in addition another passenger told me that she had received information that it was a mechanical problem and not weather like they said. Assuming what she said was correct they lied to all of us. In my case, I had to fly out the next day and therefore I missed an international flight with a different airline. In addition, they did not have enough staff to help people and I got no help with rebooking or anything from the airline (American Airlines). They were also very rude to some passengers. Luckily my wife called around and was able to arrange the flight for the next day as well as getting me a new international flight with only a $200.00 penalty. Airline customer service is not good.
:>(
Good! Airlines are notorious for avoiding putting passengers on competitors’ flights. A ways back, my flight was cancelled “by the airport, due to weather conditions,” or so the airline claimed, except that all of the other flights were still in operation. Nevertheless, I had to pay for a hotel and transport. Grrrr.
Bravo!👏🏻✈️
Yes! Because how can you even do that and not feel a twinge of guilt?! Kudos to the Texas Businessman! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I have recently been homeless, and to the treatment I received I asked your question many times every day.
<3
Exactly, trE.
Mitch, did you post this before. I was getting a sense of deja vu as I was reading it – and loving it again! I agree with Scott, it’s like Jesus. I’m SO glad we have the King of the Universe on our side! <3
When I was on the board of a Christian school just starting out, and we needed everything, including a building. We had approached numerous churches about renting space, with no response. One night I dreamed I heard God telling His angels, “Annie needs a building for a school in St. Clair. Now GET HER ONE – and no dillydallying about it!” … I know, weird dream, but we did get a building – and coincidentally, it WAS in St. Clair. 😀 😉
;>) God’s got the tallest Stetson of all! And, yes, I posted it five years ago, Annie (good memory).
Uplifting story!
Glad you were touched, Vanya.
I liked this story, and didn’t really consider the Texan a bully (as one of the comments suggested.) Yes, he was overly firm, but he was also just making sure that the airlines met the requirements before them and also helping a young mother who was too overwhelmed to help herself. No wonder everyone cheered!
Agreed, Ann. A bully is someone who keeps doing the same mean things to people (over and over) because they can—like the airlines toward passengers. The big Texan was simply advocating strongly for the young lady and her small children. Yes, lifting the young steward off the ground was a tad too much, but it was effective. These, days “Stetson” would probably be arrested by the airport police.
s
Sorry, I meant to type that I agree!
Oh to be 6′ 5″ . . . !
;>)
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Well done all! …Young woman who was honest in her tearful response, and spoke out about not having funds for a hotel, …Texan for responding in a way every human should to rudeness (perhaps minus the physical threat :D), especially to stand up for someone weaker, …the steward for getting some common sense(?), …the crowd for cheering, …Mitch for sharing in your usual entertaining way and brilliant wording, …all of you for posting awesome comments. Reminds us there is hope: that Texan is a type of Jesus (see the book of Revelation)!
I agree, Ramona! And nice to hear from you again.
There should be such a man at every gate and counter! I’d cheer too. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Chuck.