It’s really sad when I’m siding with an ultra low cost carrier that has a bunch of punitive fees over a traveler, but that’s exactly how I feel here. I don’t get why people can’t understand that laws and social norms differ around the globe… especially from an experienced traveler who proudly claims that she has visited 185 of 195 countries.
In this post:
Volotea staff abandon desk after traveler refuses to stop recording
PYOK flags how a vlogger with the username Escape with Emily has posted a video on YouTube about her experience traveling to Spain. This woman seems to have a lot of drama when she travels.
Don’t waste 30+ minutes of your time, but the relevant part is the last eight minutes of the below video. On June 4, 2026, she was supposed to fly on ultra low cost carrier Volotea, from Oviedo, Spain (OVD), to Paris, France (ORY).
As is common with ultra low cost carriers, there are some punitive policies in place. For example, you need to print your boarding pass online, and if you need to have your boarding pass printed by an employee at the airport, you have to pay a fee of €30.
Long story short, this traveler claims that she tried to check in online, and didn’t receive her boarding pass. I can’t speak to that, but I tend to think that when an airline carries 10+ million passengers per year, issues with boarding passes typically come down to user error. It later comes out that the boarding pass may have gone to a different email. Her retort is that this means she’s still checked in. To be clear, the fee isn’t for checking in, it’s for the boarding pass, which she didn’t have.
That brings us to the issue at hand — while at the Volotea ticketing office, she was wearing Meta AI glasses, which record everything, and you can tell based on the flashing light. The Volotea employees notice this, and ask her to stop recording. The station manager even gets involved.
I have to say, they remain calm and respectful, and repeatedly say that they’ll only help her if she stops recording. They even threaten to call the police if she posts this on social media. She keeps ignoring that request, and just keeps standing there. They inform her the only way to get a boarding pass is to pay.
When she just keeps standing there, the agents eventually get up and leave the office. She then follows them to the check-in counter and keeps recording them.
She finishes the video by saying the following:
“This is something that happens in a third world country, you guys, I would honestly never expect this to happen in a European country, but like, you know, here we are. So two thumbs down for Spain, you did not restore my hope unfortunately, you just confirmed what I thought about Spain before I came here, and I will try to never go again.”
As a follow-up to this, she took to X to inform her 21 followers of the fact that when she complained to Volotea, they focused on how she was recording employees against their consent, rather than addressing her complaint. They offered her the opportunity to share her side of the story.
This traveler was completely out of line, shame on her
I always try to see both sides of the story, but here I side with the airline 100%. Look, Volotea’s fee for printing a boarding pass is no doubt frustrating, I get that. And if there was some glitch that caused her to not get her boarding pass, she can take that up after the fact with the airline, file a credit card dispute, etc.
But the way she treated employees here was unacceptable:
- Virtually everywhere in the world, it’s against airline rules to record staff without their permission; furthermore, legally many European countries have much stricter privacy laws, when it comes to recording others without their consent, and Spain has especially tight laws in that regard, so staff were within their rights to refuse to help
- The station manager was actually polite with her, and I’d say they did a great job deescalating, simply ignoring her rather than actually calling the police; heck, I couldn’t believe that at the end of that, they were still willing to give her the opportunity to pay the fee
- It’s pathetic that she has decided that she’s not going to return to Spain because she booked a flight on an airline that has a boarding pass fee; honey, don’t go anywhere close to Europe again then, because this policy is virtually identical to what you’ll find on Ryanair
- These employees did nothing wrong — if she had an issue with the company’s policy, she should take it up that way, rather than harassing these poor people; that’s also why it’s unacceptable to record these people, since it’s not like she was documenting some terrible behavior, as they were just enforcing company policy
Honestly, this person’s behavior is what I’d expect from someone who has never left the United States, and not someone has reportedly been to all but 10 countries in the world.
Also, not to be too woke, but I love how after complaining about Volotea, she’s now taking to X to complain about TSA at JFK, using an AI picture of monkeys working at security. Classy.
Bottom line
A very experienced American traveler booked a ticket on ultra low cost carrier Volotea, which requires passengers to get their boarding pass online, or else pay a fee at the airport. While she claims she checked in, she didn’t have the boarding pass, so the Volotea ground staff in Spain enforced the rules, and asked her to pay.
She recorded the whole interaction with her Meta AI glasses, and they asked her to stop, but she refused. So they then stepped away from the counter, since she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Her conclusion was that this is “third world” behavior, and that she’s never traveling to Spain again. What a way to live…
What do you make of this Volotea incident?
Airlines know the fee for a boarding pass is wrong ; hence their rules against recording . Europeans consider recording fee compulsion to be "lese majeste" .
So what if recording is not allowed ? If it is accurate , then it is a fair proof of what is said . Courts have records of what is said . Europeans have not allowed authors , books , religions , and ethnic groups , and tried to destroy what was said . They even disallowed Galileo .
You are really the best troll ever, or next level stupid. There is no third option. I suspect you are number two, above; you'll you'll always be number two at OMAAT.
Courts, European history, books, religions, ethnic groups, Galileo - all have nothing to do with anything here.
Do keep commenting, though, it's truly fantastic. Also, don't forget to bring up your hatred for girls and women, you haven't mentioned "girl food" in hours.
"Look at me. LOOK AT ME... USA is the s-hole country now."
(Credits: Captain Phillips, 2013, and, also, President Trump, 2018.)
Are you referring to the Knicks' fans in NYC celebrating by attacking one another ?
(Psst, it's "president" Trump.)
The irony of calling someone else clueless when you only spend time in luxury hotels and resorts when you travel outside of the US is peak.
The irony of you making such a doltish comment on this blog makes you look like this is your first time here. Welcome!
Staying at luxury hotels and calling someone clueless? How would that, in anyone's mind (except yours), be mutually exclusive, and/or "peak?"
Sadly I think she has achieved exactly what she wanted: more attention. Clearly she is some type of narcissist and possibly racist and xenophobist. And these articles are only giving her more attention. No amount of shaming will stop her.
At 16:45 of the Youtube video, she admits to using an "invalid credit card" that she "had cancelled a long time ago" in order to settle a dispute with a taxi driver. Don't leave home without it!
Her credit card issuers and the vendors she uses ought to take note.
Ben, thank you for publishing this story as it typifies the mentality of many of the mindless bloggers cavorting around the world today. The lessons to be learned from this story are, learn to read before choosing a ULCC, accept their terms and conditions and try not to make yourself look like a blithering idiot in a public place.
You mean, it gives them what they want - more attention and more platforms.
Not at all Thomas. The little darlink obviously has difficulty understanding basic instructions and is clearly harassing the Spanish staff members. She blames them for her ignorance and her unwillingness to cooperate. It is a sign of our times and the lack of followers is proof of her inadequacy.
As for websites like this giving her platform might be true, but I benefit from your click, as you mine when Ben converts clicks to flight...
Not at all Thomas. The little darlink obviously has difficulty understanding basic instructions and is clearly harassing the Spanish staff members. She blames them for her ignorance and her unwillingness to cooperate. It is a sign of our times and the lack of followers is proof of her inadequacy.
As for websites like this giving her platform might be true, but I benefit from your click, as you mine when Ben converts clicks to flight and hotel reviews. I do not blame Ben for publishing click-bait articles, do you?
Many American's are clueless and downright ignorant when travelling abroad and Just ASSUME how things should be making them appear to being an asshat in the eyes of the casual observer. Working over 40 years for an Airline, I learned very early, Stay Far Clear of fellow Americans overseas...........they are Loud, Obnoxious, somewhat rude and dismissive when told what to do. Doesn't apply to ALL Americans but it pretty much speaks for the majority and...
Many American's are clueless and downright ignorant when travelling abroad and Just ASSUME how things should be making them appear to being an asshat in the eyes of the casual observer. Working over 40 years for an Airline, I learned very early, Stay Far Clear of fellow Americans overseas...........they are Loud, Obnoxious, somewhat rude and dismissive when told what to do. Doesn't apply to ALL Americans but it pretty much speaks for the majority and why the Locals are not so keen seeing them. Some cannot even grasp that the US Dollar is not acceptable currency tendered in these Countries and they want to argue about it. that is how bad it really is.
I recently observed some Americans from a cruise ship in a restaurant in Casablanca arguing because the restaurant would not accept US$ for payment. The owner reluctantly said he would accept Euros instead of Dhirams but not US$.
Another diner generously offered to convert their US$ to Euros a a rate of $1.10 per euro but the Americans didn’t understand exchange rates and insisted that all currencies were a 1:1 exchange.
Lol I really hope you made up this story because seriously how is it possible that someone bought a ticket and went to another country without knowing what exchange rates are or that currencies may be different in each country
Ken - I have a friend who works in a car rental facility at one of the Hawaiian island airports and she is amazed at how many Americans dont realize that the official currency of Hawaii is the US dollar....seriously, you cant make this up....
If this means less a-holes like her visit Spain, then that is a good outcome.
Why are they so fearful of being recorded demanding a "fee" for a boarding pass ? She is merely recording her experience with them , no ?
There are strict privacy laws in Europe which require consent for any type of recording. Secondly, it is also a safety issue for those employees who are just doing their job.
Why should anyone, in any occupation, customer facing or otherwise, be subjected to being recorded while doing their job without their consent? And certainly without compensation given how much of this material is then monetised!
It's pretty simple.
Because individuals can record 30 minutes of a conversation and then edit it to 4 dramatic minutes that completely distort what happened - then post it online for millions to see.
Because there exists people like Josh Cahill and Nonstop Dan.
Try videotaping in Middle East and the headline will be ‘American blogger disappears. Nobody cares.’
So glad she is not going to Spain, good riddance
Poor girl, I hope she finds peace but in the meantime she should not be traveling outside of the US. And poor airline staff, I hope the airline sues her for privacy violation an have a court order so she can't come to Spain anymore. Despite of what they say, influencers cannot be trusted for their words.
Fortunately it will be quite easy to refuse her access to the entire EU airspace as she can be flagged while applying for a ETIAS. So never returning to Spain or any other EU country? Consider it done.
“It’s pathetic that she has decided that she’s not going to return to Spain“ actually in light of this gross injustice, she should refrain from traveling outside the US. I mean we all know, all other countries are third world countries, so why leave US.
It sure seems like the blogosphere is akin to third world countries. Her online persona should be called “Escape FROM Emily”!
The blogger tweets "This is the first encounter in the USA for tourists." referring to TSA.
That isn't how it works - a tourist arriving the USA by plane would first encounter US immigration, then US customs. You don't deal with TSA on arrival, you deal with TSA when departing and going through security.
You would deal with TSA if you arrive at JFK from overseas, and you have a connecting domestic flight. But...
The blogger tweets "This is the first encounter in the USA for tourists." referring to TSA.
That isn't how it works - a tourist arriving the USA by plane would first encounter US immigration, then US customs. You don't deal with TSA on arrival, you deal with TSA when departing and going through security.
You would deal with TSA if you arrive at JFK from overseas, and you have a connecting domestic flight. But even then you still go through immigration and customs first.
Don't get me wrong, TSA has a lot of room for improvement, but I think it's better to focus on facts.
I would recommend that anyone who dislikes this behaviour just not click on the video.
Her having 21 followers on twitter tells me that her following is small and behaviour like this is specifically driven to gather a following, by any means. The only way to combat this is to not engage at all.
Ah yes, this less than fortunate proletariat reminds me of a spoiled brat without a properly functioning brain, yes?
Thank you JessyTim, only you are stupid enough to make it so obvious who is misappropriating my login …. again. Thank you for confirming that as you cannot insult me, your only recourse is to imitate me …. my goodness, I am so flattered. Luv you, Xxxx
Meta AI glasses should be banned. US Americans especially have no understanding of laws in other countries and it’s prohibited to film without permission, let alone posting online.
Indeed, and not only of other countries' laws...
Those are chimpanzees, not monkeys. I’m outraged by your lack of primate knowledge
I am with her ... Charging an exorbitant fee of 30 euros for a boarding pass is fee-greed and totally outrageous . What does one expect from a culture which celebrates the murder of bulls in a stadium with thousands of blood-thirsty screamers ?
In the first instance it’s confirmed during the booking process. You can do so up to 4 days before departure hence plenty of time to check. Just pay. Oh no, film illegally and rant like a baby.
Of course resorting to xenophobia and saying all Spanish people support bullfighting. It’s actually prohibited in many areas including Catalonia and the canary islands since 1991.
Whether or not you think the fee is fair or appropriate, it was known before she booked. If you don't like a particular carier's fees and/or policies, fly another one, or take the train, or drive.
Hey @Alert, they kill animals for a sport, we allow killing of innocent civilians including kids for political reasons. Take your pick.
This boarding pass fee is charged airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air, which are based out of *checks notes* Ireland, the UK and Hungary. It is part and parcel to the European low cost experience. Hell, Spain isn’t even Volotea’s biggest market (that honour goes to France and Italy).
So if all you got is bullfighting (which I will be the first to admit I’m against) while defending gross “ugly American” behaviour, best just...
This boarding pass fee is charged airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air, which are based out of *checks notes* Ireland, the UK and Hungary. It is part and parcel to the European low cost experience. Hell, Spain isn’t even Volotea’s biggest market (that honour goes to France and Italy).
So if all you got is bullfighting (which I will be the first to admit I’m against) while defending gross “ugly American” behaviour, best just stay out of Spain. We won’t miss you.