Amazing crew during tough situation on Flight out of PDX
May 16, 2017, 3:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold
Posts: 187
Amazing crew during tough situation on Flight out of PDX
Not my story, but I thought it was worth posting. This is why I fly Alaska - they find solutions with as little drama as possible.
"Here is a story of perspective. Last night while returning home from a business trip I boarded my last connection in Portland at 10:00 PM. On the plane was a family, Man, wife and 3 very young children. They were obviously of Muslim faith as the wife was in a hijab and the father had a headscarf as well. The man had obviously suffered some trauma as his movement were almost epileptic and his speech was very slurred. The three children were all very obviously scared and screaming at the top of their lungs....non-stop. They were clinging to their mother and as FAA rules dictate they sit in their own seat with a seatbelt the anxiety, lack of communication, fear escalated when the flight crew was trying (carefully) to seat them. This lasted 1 hour sitting on the tarmac. People were graciously and willingly trying to give up their seats to have the children be as close to their mother as possible. One man broke out his phone and started sharing fishing videos with one boy (this worked fabulously!). I cannot say enough and with emphasis how well the flight crew of Alaska Flight #2346M handled themselves and the situation. They were heroic (I do not toss that term around lightly) in the way they handled what could have gone very bad. Oh, one more little fact. Upon arrival at the airport (12:15 am) they were greeted by a large group of people holding a sign saying "Welcome to America", you see, this family were refugees from war-torn Somalia. They were welcomed with grace, understanding and compassion in a challenging situation. Yes, welcome to America. This is the USA I hope for."
"Here is a story of perspective. Last night while returning home from a business trip I boarded my last connection in Portland at 10:00 PM. On the plane was a family, Man, wife and 3 very young children. They were obviously of Muslim faith as the wife was in a hijab and the father had a headscarf as well. The man had obviously suffered some trauma as his movement were almost epileptic and his speech was very slurred. The three children were all very obviously scared and screaming at the top of their lungs....non-stop. They were clinging to their mother and as FAA rules dictate they sit in their own seat with a seatbelt the anxiety, lack of communication, fear escalated when the flight crew was trying (carefully) to seat them. This lasted 1 hour sitting on the tarmac. People were graciously and willingly trying to give up their seats to have the children be as close to their mother as possible. One man broke out his phone and started sharing fishing videos with one boy (this worked fabulously!). I cannot say enough and with emphasis how well the flight crew of Alaska Flight #2346M handled themselves and the situation. They were heroic (I do not toss that term around lightly) in the way they handled what could have gone very bad. Oh, one more little fact. Upon arrival at the airport (12:15 am) they were greeted by a large group of people holding a sign saying "Welcome to America", you see, this family were refugees from war-torn Somalia. They were welcomed with grace, understanding and compassion in a challenging situation. Yes, welcome to America. This is the USA I hope for."
May 16, 2017, 3:40 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Great job passengers and AS. This could have made the news cycle or this could be a good news story that few will hear about. This is why I fly Alaska, they actually seem to care.
May 17, 2017, 10:16 am
#7
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Posts: 187
May 17, 2017, 1:31 pm
#8
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
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May 17, 2017, 7:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The Far, Far North
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Absolutely fantastic! This family may well have been operating on no sleep for many hours and the kids were likely truly exhausted and, it sounds, frightened. What a wonderful welcome to tbeir new home!
May 17, 2017, 10:24 pm
#10
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PDX
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Posts: 187
I obviously live in PDX and found this on Facebook, but it looks like mainstream press might be starting to pick this up.
http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article...s-11153154.php
http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article...s-11153154.php
May 17, 2017, 10:46 pm
#11
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Thank you for sharing this story. I hope this gets as much attention as some of the other airline stories.
May 17, 2017, 11:03 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold
Posts: 187
It's a great story about human beings actually interacting and getting along. It's not controversial, so probably won't get much press - which sucks.
We should promote the positive.
We should promote the positive.
Last edited by pdxparse; May 17, 2017 at 11:14 pm
May 18, 2017, 6:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 93
I was on this flight but didn't see any details since I was in the back row.
I agree with what has been said.
I wanted to add that what appeared to be another Alaska employee - wearing the bright orange vest usually worn by ground crew - came on board to help. I couldn't tell if he was a specialist trained to handle these kinds of situations or someone who spoke the language of the passengers (or both). This seems to indicate Alaska has protocol for these kinds of situations and isn't leaving the flight and cabin crew hanging by themselves.
I agree with what has been said.
I wanted to add that what appeared to be another Alaska employee - wearing the bright orange vest usually worn by ground crew - came on board to help. I couldn't tell if he was a specialist trained to handle these kinds of situations or someone who spoke the language of the passengers (or both). This seems to indicate Alaska has protocol for these kinds of situations and isn't leaving the flight and cabin crew hanging by themselves.
May 18, 2017, 6:27 pm
#15
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Not my story, but I thought it was worth posting. This is why I fly Alaska - they find solutions with as little drama as possible.
"Here is a story of perspective. Last night while returning home from a business trip I boarded my last connection in Portland at 10:00 PM. On the plane was a family, Man, wife and 3 very young children. They were obviously of Muslim faith as the wife was in a hijab and the father had a headscarf as well. The man had obviously suffered some trauma as his movement were almost epileptic and his speech was very slurred. The three children were all very obviously scared and screaming at the top of their lungs....non-stop. They were clinging to their mother and as FAA rules dictate they sit in their own seat with a seatbelt the anxiety, lack of communication, fear escalated when the flight crew was trying (carefully) to seat them. This lasted 1 hour sitting on the tarmac. People were graciously and willingly trying to give up their seats to have the children be as close to their mother as possible. One man broke out his phone and started sharing fishing videos with one boy (this worked fabulously!). I cannot say enough and with emphasis how well the flight crew of Alaska Flight #2346M handled themselves and the situation. They were heroic (I do not toss that term around lightly) in the way they handled what could have gone very bad. Oh, one more little fact. Upon arrival at the airport (12:15 am) they were greeted by a large group of people holding a sign saying "Welcome to America", you see, this family were refugees from war-torn Somalia. They were welcomed with grace, understanding and compassion in a challenging situation. Yes, welcome to America. This is the USA I hope for."
"Here is a story of perspective. Last night while returning home from a business trip I boarded my last connection in Portland at 10:00 PM. On the plane was a family, Man, wife and 3 very young children. They were obviously of Muslim faith as the wife was in a hijab and the father had a headscarf as well. The man had obviously suffered some trauma as his movement were almost epileptic and his speech was very slurred. The three children were all very obviously scared and screaming at the top of their lungs....non-stop. They were clinging to their mother and as FAA rules dictate they sit in their own seat with a seatbelt the anxiety, lack of communication, fear escalated when the flight crew was trying (carefully) to seat them. This lasted 1 hour sitting on the tarmac. People were graciously and willingly trying to give up their seats to have the children be as close to their mother as possible. One man broke out his phone and started sharing fishing videos with one boy (this worked fabulously!). I cannot say enough and with emphasis how well the flight crew of Alaska Flight #2346M handled themselves and the situation. They were heroic (I do not toss that term around lightly) in the way they handled what could have gone very bad. Oh, one more little fact. Upon arrival at the airport (12:15 am) they were greeted by a large group of people holding a sign saying "Welcome to America", you see, this family were refugees from war-torn Somalia. They were welcomed with grace, understanding and compassion in a challenging situation. Yes, welcome to America. This is the USA I hope for."