Reddit users have backed a man who was met with an unhappy passenger on his flight when he got to board early, and he told Newsweek how the woman mocked him when he cited health reasons for his special treatment.
Reddit user u/ Budd311 shared his experience of preboarding his Delta flight from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Bradley International Airport, Connecticut, when another flyer didn’t seem too happy that he had got on before her.
In a viral Reddit post, which has received more than 21,000 upvotes as well as thousands of comments, the user explains that he and his wife were preboarding as only one of his arms works following a stroke.
A queue of people with luggage wait to board a flight. A man’s experience with a fellow passenger while he was preboarding has gone viral on Reddit.
A queue of people with luggage wait to board a flight. A man’s experience with a fellow passenger while he was preboarding has gone viral on Reddit.
vinhdav/Getty Images
He told Newsweek: “As we were preboarding and team-lifting our rollers into the overhead, we heard a woman with a child on her hip talking loudly behind us. Her comments began with, ‘Just because you’re in First Class doesn’t mean you can preboard.’
“I turned to her and said, ‘I only have one working arm and need extra time to load our bags.’ My wife jumped in saying I am handicap trying to defend me. The woman’s response? She sarcastically snapped, ‘Sure, and I’m handicapped too’ with a smirk on her face. Then she continued to tell us to ‘hurry up and get out of her way’ mocking me as she walked towards the rear of the plane.”
Newsweek has contacted Delta for comment via email.
In his post to Reddit, he wrote: “We literally pre-boarded to make things smoother for everyone, and I do my best to hide my disability until I have no choice—like lifting a 20 lb bag over my head! So here’s a friendly reminder: Just because someone isn’t old or in a wheelchair doesn’t mean their need to preboard is up for your judgment. For the record, I’d much rather have both arms working and board in my assigned zone!”
The man was asked if he would like to escalate the incident to the captain, but he decided not to.
“While we were upset, we decided against it,” he told Newsweek. “I knew how it could unfold for the woman and her toddler, and I didn’t want to risk delaying the entire flight. I played out the scenario in my head, and the thought of a plane full of passengers delayed due to this woman’s foul behavior was not worth it.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 27 million passengers with disabilities traveled by air in 2019, many of which face numerous difficulties, says the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Many other Reddit users shared similar experiences in the comments section of the viral post.
“I was declared blind at 35 (37 now) I have a rare genetic disorder. Being that I can’t see clearly more than about 7 ft on a good day. I don’t use a dog or a cane yet and I am constantly berated by people who claim I’m faking or that I shouldn’t get assistance when I ask for it,” said u/abstract_thoughts_37.
Meanwhile, u/Aisledonkey076 commented: “You do not have to tell anyone why you pre board. If you feel the need or want the extra time pre board but no one will or should stop you. There are a thousand reasons someone wants or needs to be on a plane first. But you do not have to tell anyone that reason unless you want to.”
“What’s that saying? Everyone has their own sack of rocks. We have no idea what is going on with anyone else and you certainly can’t tell by looking on the outside. I love that you handled it with grace,” said u/Pirate_Vulcan.
Has a dream vacation turned into a nightmare? Whether it’s a missed flight or lost luggage, we want to hear about your travel disasters. Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Internet backs man who was faced with unhappy fellow passenger when he boarded early
