Airline pilots: gestures of kindness made on board
In recent times, the news has been full of complaints against airlines. But, although the care of the [...]
In recent times, the news has been full of complaints against airlines. But although customer care seems to have taken a hit, it is important to remember how many other times the cabin crew has been compassionate, helpful and understanding. Starting with the pilots, often at the center of events filled with goodness.
The gesture of the off-duty pilot
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Video of an off-duty pilot aboard a flight Qantas has gone viral. The short film is about a man who - noticing a girl with mobility aids walking down the hallway - decides to Stand up to give her her seat in business class., so that she could have more leg room. She, moved and surprised, politely declined the offer. But the video, circulated through the TikTok profile @traveling_abilities, went around the web to the cry of "Good people exist."
@travelling_abilities This off duty @Qantas pilot watched as Miss 12 made her way down the loading bridge on our flight to coolangatta. He proceeded to offer her his BUSINESS CLASS SEAT so she would have "more leg room". We kindly declined, and he again checked one more time before taking his seat!!!! I was moved. And Miss 12 was mad Thank you Mr Pilot, you made this Mumma so proud!!! #qantas #pilot #gooddeed #hsp #travellingaustralia #travellingfamily #disability
Background
However, this is not the only case in which an airline pilot receives praise because of an act of kindness.
In America, a pilot has gone viral for making a moving announcement, Congratulating a passenger who had just beaten breast cancer. Jyrl Oldham was on a plane to Hawaii, determined to enjoy a celebratory trip. The reason? To reward herself for beating cancer. The pilot decided to congratulate her and, the nice gesture, was captured in a video that immediately went viral on Instagram. These are the words of the pilot: "I would like to add a special welcome to a special guest. We have a passenger on board headed to Hawaii to celebrate her victory over advanced breast cancer."
The announcement was greeted by applause from all the other passengers on board. The pilot continued, "Please join me in giving a round of applause to Jryl Oldham, here with us today making it simply special that we can share that helpful human bond to take care of each other." The video, which was posted on Instagram by Jryl's friend Valeri Jones, is accompanied by the caption, "Thank you Southwest Air for this remembrance. We will always remember it."
Jyrl Oldham survived breast cancer-and is now taking on the world with her friends by her side.
While on their way to Hawaii for her first post-treatment trip, she got a special and emotional shoutout from the pilot. pic.twitter.com/m6D8xbkmsW
- CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 26, 2022
A final story features the pilots of a flight Etihad. While engaged in a taxiing maneuver on the runway, an elderly couple on board received a message: grandson was in intensive care. The couple informed the crew of the situation, and the news reached the pilots. The latter, without further ado, immediately brought the plane back to the boarding gate.
The airline staff also organized the couple's luggage and a car so that the two could leave the airport as soon as possible. Their grandson, unfortunately, passed away the following day. However, the act of kindness by Etihad staff and pilots helped the grieving grandparents meet him one last time.
