A friend and co-worker of mine was telling me about her latest flight.
They were flying home from the west coast when the announcement that all flight attendants dread came over the P.A.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we are experiencing a medical emergency on board. We are looking for doctors, nurses, EMTs or any other type of medical personnel. If you are one, please come up to the front of the aircraft.”
Apparently, the Captain thought he was having a stroke. The Captain!
After talking to MedLink, they decided to divert and land in Los Angeles. The Captain was taken to the hospital and a replacement was called in. The delay would take 2 hours. In the meantime, passengers were given the option of either staying on board or hanging out in the waiting area. They were all given vouchers to eat in the terminal.
One lady who was sitting near my friend’s jumpseat said, “This is ridiculous.”
My friend looked over at her and said, “What’s so ridiculous? To want to help someone who’s sick? Is it ridiculous to ensure there’s someone capable of flying the plane safely? What do you find ridiculous about this situation?” The lady never answered.
I suppose it’s human nature to think about how a situation affects our lives first. However, in this case, why would you even want that Captain in the Flight Deck? Wouldn’t you be concerned about your safety as well?
Turns out he did have a heart attack and is still in the hospital in Los Angeles. They’re flying his family up there today. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.
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37 Comments on “Where’s The Compassion?”
5:35 am
I was on a flight that had to be diverted to Nashville because a woman kept needing oxygen. They called for medical personnel & a dr. came up. She assessed the woman, they got the capt. out and determined that they had to land & get her off the plane. People were upset about being 2.5 - 3.0 hours late getting into Newark because of having to stop. What was the PITS, though, was the fact that after we landed in Nashville, with ambulances and firetrucks lined up on the runway, the passenger was determined not to get off the plane! She kept arguing with the dr. and captain, saying she had people waiting for her in Newark, she was fine, and they should just take off again. I thought there was going to be a riot because the capt. told her repeatedly that he would not fly the plane with her on board. Finally, security came on board and basically told her to get off the plane or she would be removed. It was an amazing spectacle to watch. I don’t know what was wrong with her, but the lack of respect she showed to the dr. and captain was astounding. When she got off the plane, all the passengers cheered & applauded. The captain apologized, but we were all totally supportive of him and the rest of the crew.
Sometimes people have no common sense or regard for others. It never ceases to amaze me, no matter how much bad behavior I see (and I see a LOT in my profession).
6:00 am
[…] the Webmaster Where’s The Compassion? » This Summary is from an article posted at An Island Life on Monday, August 27, 2007 This […]
6:07 am
Amazing. “Yeah, I’m gonna be late if you have a heart attack… could you wait and do that another time?” Unbelievable!
6:32 am
The lady who said ridiculous should just fly the plane herself — with all the passengers and crew out of it of course.
It’s just unbelievable when people can make selfish remarks like that and how hard for people in the customer service industry to answer all those silly, inhumane questions!
6:44 am
Some people can just be so insensitive. And they talk without even thinking about the consequences of their words!
My thoughts and prayers for the Captain and his family too. I do hope it’s nothing serious.
7:35 am
sometimes there are some people who can be a little insensitive.
I’m sorry to hear about that Captain and I’m hoping for the better.
11:28 am
Geez! Some people make me sick, Literally! Unfortunately, the majority live in a me, me, me, world. No consideration for anyone else.
Yeah, you’re gonna be bit late. Stuff happens. Deal with it. You’re not the one who suffered a freakin’ heart attack!
12:31 pm
I am certainly glad everyone is safe
12:34 pm
Thank goodness they were able t land the plane and get him to a hospital. How scary that must have been for everyone involved.
12:48 pm
Wow, how scary - I’m glad everything worked out to get him to a hospital, and I hope he recovers completely.
It is amazing how “me” focused our society has become, that someone could make a comment like that and be more concerned with their own schedule than the life of someone else and the safety of the plane and passengers. Very sad!
12:56 pm
That IS ridiculous. That she thought that and felt the need to look for other people to support her. Obviously, we’re all a little put out that we are delayed, but better delayed than dead after him having a heart attack mid-flight!
I could understand her saying, “That was so scary!” or something similar, but not to comment on the situation in that manner…
1:08 pm
How awful! The captain did the right thing to save his life and all his passengers on board. Some people just don’t have a heart. I’m glad your friend said what she did to that woman. geesh. Like you said have compassion.
1:13 pm
This is a good reminder that “It’s not all about ME”. Thank you.
1:24 pm
Oh, I hope the Captain makes a full recovery. What an inconsiderate woman!
2:03 pm
People can be so selfish sometimes. I hope the captain makes a speedy recovery.
3:27 pm
I know I would want a healthy captain flying the plane I was on! Hope he is well soon!
4:07 pm
I think that lady was being ridiculous! Where is the compassion?
4:13 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with that captain and his family. I pray that he will make a speedy recovery.
Some airplane passengers can be such idiots. This is one reason I hate flying. Ugh.
4:22 pm
captain to irate woman:
“sorry to inconvenience you while i suffer a minor hindrance to flying this plane”
sheesh!
4:35 pm
How bizarre. I suppose it’s a bit like how you react when you hear an emergency services siren when you’re driving. Some people find it an inconvenience. Other people think ‘thank goodness it’s not us’ and ‘I hope everyone will be o.k.’
Best wishes
6:13 pm
Good thing the captain had the wisdom and foresight to admit somthing was wrong. Some men might not have done that. It’s a blessing he’s alive, and his plane full of passengers too!
7:04 pm
Wow, that’s just totally uncalled for. Some people.
7:38 pm
Wow. How scarey and thank goodness the Captain had the right frame of mind to speak up and land the plane, instead of thinking he would be alright until they reached the intended destination. I wish him a speedy recovery, he would be one Captain I would want on board my plane. As for the lady, well, I hope she felt really stupid for her comment.
7:49 pm
It is natural, but not right to only think about yourself all the time! I think I would have done more than said words back to someone like that…it just irks me big time! I hope the captain is okay!
Hugs,
Holly
8:44 pm
Isn’t that something? Let us pray for that woman! And I’m sending prayers for the captain and his family too! Hope all is well with him soon!
9:01 pm
I don’t understand how people can be that way.
11:14 pm
I had a doctor put off inducing labor and the delivery of my second baby because he was having a heart attack, thank goodness. Glad the landed safely.
12:34 am
Please put that plane on the ground. Jeff’s been around when weird things happen to other people on his flights and I know it’s hard to be delayed, but sometimes “YOU” aren’t the most important person…when will people ever learn?? And by “YOU” I don’t mean you personally, just people in general.
4:11 am
oh that’s really sad!!! I hope he’s okay! My prayers and thoughts go out to him and his family!
4:22 am
hmmm.
isn’t that sad? people are so wrapped up in themselves that they’d rather satisfy thier petty “to-do” list rather than help a dying person. seems like the trend now adays…
that’s too bad. i really hope that lady went and thought about that flight very carefully.
and keeping the captain and his family in our thoughts and prayers
7:53 am
How very selfish of this woman!!
My thoughts and prayers are with that captain and his family, and for a quick recovery.
5:22 pm
Some people ONLY think about themselves. It’s so frustrating and sad. I hope that the pilot has a full recovery.
Jane, P&B Girls
10:53 pm
I’m expect she didn’t mean to be insensitive - just expressing her frustration. It was tactless/thoughtless of her though. Hope he recovers quickly x
6:15 pm
wow, that would be really scary. I’m glad they were able to land and get the pilot taken care of.
10:19 pm
another story that convicts me of my impatience and grace.
I suspect that as a working group, pilots are high on the heart attack list. Very stressful - from the responsibility standpoint, and to other things that are completely out of their area of influence (weather, traffic, etc.)
2:38 am
Just know that my prayers are w/the captain and his fam …also the lady who was acting so selfishly.
4:05 pm
That lady was being really rude, of course you already know that. I guess it is just human nature to think of everything in terms of ourselves. However, it doesn’t make it right!
(I'll take good care of it.)