I’d like to nominate someone for the “least self aware passenger of the year” award, which is saying a lot, because there’s quite a bit of competition! Thanks to PYOK for flagging this.
In this post:
Air France water request ends with police being called
There’s no shortage of people behaving horribly on planes. What’s unique here is that the person behaving horribly is also the one uploading this content to social media, and pretending like the way she’s acting is completely reasonable (hint: it’s not).
The woman posted a nearly four minute video to TikTok, with the following caption:
I hope no one is treated and mocked just cause they need a glass of water to drink. Things can be conveyed in a very polite manner and this is something @Air France needs to do. Train your staff right. #discrimination #freedomofspeech #viralvideos #help
The video features her arguing with a flight attendant after the plane landed. Essentially, this whole issue arose because the woman got up to request a cup of water three minutes before the plane landed, after the crew was already strapped in for landing, and everyone needed to be seated.
She wasn’t happy with how the crew reacted to her, so she then started taking pictures of the crew, and then they called the police (privacy is a much more important thing in France than in the United States, for example). This woman’s escalation is just next level.
Here are some of the details of the conversation (let me note that she’s super condescending, and constantly cuts off the flight attendant):
- She claimed that she was offended and that it was her right to drink water, because she was “very thirsty”
- When the flight attendant explained that everyone had to be seated, she claimed she’s “well aware” and that she has “been flying since [she] was a baby” (then why the heck are you getting up three minutes before landing to request water?)
- She then claimed her issue was with the flight attendant’s attitude, and that he should have politely said he will give her water after they land
- She claimed that on other airlines, the staff give her water just minutes before landing (this is really sounding like a problem she has, if she constantly needs water right before landing)
- The flight attendant explained that the real issue was that she then started taking pictures of the crew, which isn’t allowed; she claimed she “understands,” but also had to do it “because of the way you talked to me,” and that “as a person of color” she “isn’t treated friendly,” and therefore has to record everything
- This woman was incapable of answering any questions; the flight attendant asked why she took a picture of him, and she responded “because I need to speak to somebody,” and then he asked again, and she said “in all honesty, I didn’t intend to” (sorry, what?)
This woman doesn’t understand what the word “understand” means. It seems to be the word she uses simply to be able to interrupt when someone else is speaking. Never mind the fact that this was reportedly a one-hour flight, and the woman had already been served a cup of water inflight, just like everyone else.
In a follow-up video, she can be seen waiting in the galley for the police to show up. They demand her passport, to which she responds “what’s this for?”
She reportedly then posted another video on TikTok of the police officers with their guns, which was taken down, due to TikTok community guidelines. So following that she posted yet another video, asking people to support her and share her story, because she thinks this shouldn’t happen to anyone. She captions that video as follows:
Help. #justice #abuseofpower
Gosh, I feel really bad for flight attendants…
Typically when you see people share victim stories on social media (even if baseless), most people come out in support of them. In this case, a vast majority of the comments are against this traveler, pointing out how completely unreasonably she’s acting. Despite that, she keeps going with her crusade.
I don’t understand, does she have some medical condition that requires her to drink a lot of water? If so, maybe she should bring more water with her, or request more water while the plane is still at cruising altitude, and before the cabin is prepared for landing.
On just about any airline, if you were to get up a few minutes before landing, the crew would probably have a stern tone with you, telling you to return to your seat immediately. This woman keeps claiming she “understands” what the flight attendant is saying, but nothing about what she repeats suggests she has actually processed it.
Across my millions of miles of flying, I don’t remember ever being in such dire need of water three minutes before landing that I need to get up while everyone else is seated in order to request it. Yet it sounds like this woman repeatedly gets really thirsty on flights right before landing, and Air France is the first airline to give her a hard time? Really?
It’s amazing that despite her very high level of thirst, which couldn’t wait until she got into the terminal, she was able to argue endlessly with the flight attendant, dehydrated as she may be.
Bottom line
A combative Air France passenger traveling on a short haul flight demanded water three minutes before landing, while everyone (including the crew) needed to be seated. The crew told her to sit down, but she wasn’t happy with that response, and ended up giving them a hard time over it. She then photographed the crew, and the situation escalated to the point that the police got involved.
What’s wild to me about this situation is that this story is being shared directly by the person involved, who doesn’t seem to realize how off base she comes across.
Another click-bait article which allows the racist bigotry to be exposed and those who choose to vent their spleen. Thank you Ben.
Another immigrant with an attitude
If she wants to photograph the crew I recommend she fly Kuwait Air. I'm told that they dont mind it there.
What a obnoxious woman. Ironically she was filming this to show the outrage of how she was treated when all she did was show the world what a loser she is. Tiktok, livestreamers are so eager to video that they often make this mistake.
When people are constantly told they’re being discriminated against, they’ll start to believe it. Just stop.
speaking of passengers making drama, any news regarding JT Genter ?
such people should be blacklisted by concerned airlines
These videos let me think that this is totally deliberate and premeditated. I guess that she wanted to promote herself on tiktok
Why do some people always use the excuse of being a "woman of color" to justify bad behavior ?
It's like describing police officers with "firearms", like she was threatened by them.
And finally, tiktok is really the cancer of our time
What she needs is to be forcefully restrained by the cops and taken straight to jail for booking. No more conversation with this B.
We don't restrain people who don't pose a security risk just for the sake of it. This is not the US.
that she apparently brought her camera-person, camera lit and ready, to get excellent shots of all this ... kinda writes out the 'spontaneous' claim. nice closeups, also. Somewhere in all the French law it's a serious crime to 'cause a ruckus on Air France. (but not on any other airlines.)" 'Femme dans la cellule 41." Maybe this on her arrest papers, she's in cell 41.
All her other videos on her tiktok page is of her cat.....shes a crazy cat lady....enough said.
She said she didn't ask for water within e minutes of landing, is she lying? She also said she was not treated well, was she having indian expectations or did cabin crew show some nasty attitude toward her? That part cannot be checked as there is no video. Who knows but I hate people using discrimination when there is none because the actual discrimination can be daunting...
Agree, it seems like she did it just to get attention, but on the other hand I think the flight attendant and the passenger both handled it improperly. Yes, the passenger started it, but the flight attendant's reaction made it worse.
I disagree. The FA remained professional. He was calm and polite but also remained firm on his position.
I disagree. The FA remained professional. He was calm and polite but also remained firm on his position.
What she needs is to "Get Fu...d ".
Social media is a pox.
While she is a nut job, I do understand the part about filming the crew when a situation goes bad. Too many times we have seen crews blatantly lie and the video was the only way they were shown to be lying. That said, sounds like this crew should be happy to have this filmed... proves that they handled it correctly and she is a nut who needs a flying time out. How about a 6 month ban on flying... good luck getting home! My guess is she would never act up again.
Hope tik Tom gets banned, such trash would lose their livelihood. And we don’t get to watch such cringe worthy videos indirectly
Put this entitled brat on the no-fly list!
Not good enough. We need a public trial and a hanging in the town square
I'm not condoning the way she behaved or looking to excuse it, but I myself had for a long time problems with preasurizing my ears without gulping, which is hard with a dry throat (which is common on a plane due to the air). This said, I always make sure to have water and ask for it way before even coming near the final approach.
Seems like a highly annoying person, and one the carrier should ban from future flights.
Was she charged? Entitled, insufferable b***h plays the race card...
Super cringe... and then she played the race card. Despicable.
Right?! "Person of color" bullsh¡t excuse. Eff off with the race hustle.
…. and many have the audacity to accuse Caucasian types of being “Privileged”.
Then there are the ‘others’ …. ones like the subject woman need never worry about being accused of being a Lady.
Fatigued with all of it.
M'am, the correct time to ask for more water was 40 minutes ago. In all seriousness, it seems more like she was trying to go viral rather than anything else. Short-form video is a disaster for humanity.
Once crew is strapped in for landing they do not get up unless there's a medical emergency. Being thirsty doesn't apply. This woman should have been placed into police custody upon arriving at the gate and no future flights at least on Air France. Let's see how quickly they get her a cup of water when she's been detained pending a bail hearing.
I fly Air France on monthly basis between NA and Paris / Asia, their crews are extremely hospitable & fun across all classes!
Her arrogance and entitlement speaks for itself… bringing things like “woman of color”… WTH!!
Air France crews are among the most hospitable I encounter on my journeys - in the honest, caring way, not robots like at some Asian airlines for example. If she just asked for the water during the final cabin check, I'm sure she would get it. I also drink a lot of water and most of the time on longhaul, once someone notices, they will almost always proactively offer me a large 1.5 litre bottle...
Air France crews are among the most hospitable I encounter on my journeys - in the honest, caring way, not robots like at some Asian airlines for example. If she just asked for the water during the final cabin check, I'm sure she would get it. I also drink a lot of water and most of the time on longhaul, once someone notices, they will almost always proactively offer me a large 1.5 litre bottle of water. Also in shorthaul Y it's never a problem to get anything - second glass of wine on a 90 mins flight? Enjoy, madame.
I'm quite confident she wasn't in a position when endangering her fellow passengers by walking during the final approach (imagine what happens to your body in case of a windshear escape maneuvre for example) was necessary for her to not die of thirst. She's just being difficult to get attention on some stupid social media platform and unfortunatelly for her she encountered a culture when abuse by Karens isn't tolerated. The annnouncement about permission being needed to film crew or other passengers is ALWAYS made on any Air France KLM flight. She broke the law on three different accounts and now she's trying to play victim and call abuse.
Why do you have to drag Asian airlines' staff into it? Totally uncalled for and cowardly!
And AF crews being "among the most hospitable?" Not in my experience
I was merely drawing a comparison between actually caring vs following the script like some other airlines would (think the likes of KE).
She looks like an entitled brat. How can someone live with her. I was always thought where do these people live until I met one last week on Delta’s KEF-MSP flight.
She was in DL Comfort, boarded late and by that time the bin above her seat was full. She assumed the “lowly” economy flyers put their bags. The bags belonged to other comfort flyers. So she asked them to be removed. FA suggested to...
She looks like an entitled brat. How can someone live with her. I was always thought where do these people live until I met one last week on Delta’s KEF-MSP flight.
She was in DL Comfort, boarded late and by that time the bin above her seat was full. She assumed the “lowly” economy flyers put their bags. The bags belonged to other comfort flyers. So she asked them to be removed. FA suggested to place them in the bin right next to hers and apparently, it was too far. I was astonished by her entitlement.
There is one thing I agree on with her: "we should make sure it doesn't happen again".
I hope she gets a well-deserved travel ban on AF
If I may suggest, a ban on all Sky Team, not just Air France! ;)
Not good enough. We need a public trial and a hanging in the town square
What a despicable person… Kudos to the flight attendant for remaining calm yet firm
At least you guys in the US jail these people. In France I'd be surprised if she spent more than half an hour with the police...
She'll get a proportional punishment, I'm sure. And that will be sufficient. She's a major c***, but pinning her down and taking her in handcuffs would be equally wrong. There's no need to create more conflict than there already is. This video could actually be used to train US crews on how to deescalate instead of escalate, even when facing idiots of massive proportions.
Fair enough :-)
A medical condition. Sure. Moronitis. Playing the race card. White ? Quelle surprise.
I’m sure she’ll say, well emirates always bring me water during landing and whilst the aircraft is taxiing.
Oh, look. Another person claiming “discrimination” and “abuse of power” when she is the problem. #lacksperspective #oblivious
What a silly person.
It’s always “those people”. ALWAYS.
Tell us you’re a member of the Klan without telling you’re a member of the Klan.
Pattern recognition is not exclusive to members of the Klan.
Pattern recognition and confirmation bias are not the same thing, and you'd do well to learn to realize when you're guilty of the latter. Hint, now is one of those times. Idiocy transcends race, religion, and nationality.
Please explain what you mean by “those people” instead of cowering behind ambiguity. Ben racism seams to rife within your comment section. I know it’s probably a representation of a society but does seem to be peeking here.
How did an airline miles and points blog become a hot zone for political extremism
If you're not racist you're not paying attention.
Ask any international flight attendant in the world routes they detest working the most.
I guarantee you will find a theme.
Hi Angel.
Genuinely curious ( Ben- this could be a great idea for a post) : what are the most detestable routes?
Again not criticising or anything just curious…
For the record - kudus to the flight attendant and about the lady… that’s next level passive aggression and sense of entitlement. She wouldn’t be easy to be in a relationship with.
Routes to India.
I think the service culture in India is very unique and when you go to a restaurant of cafe or whatever in India you will notice there are always so many staff because labour is inexpensive.
It is also fairly common for most middle class families to have domestic staff such as cooks/cleaners etc in India.
Factor all that in to the economy class cabin of an international airline that is leanly...
Routes to India.
I think the service culture in India is very unique and when you go to a restaurant of cafe or whatever in India you will notice there are always so many staff because labour is inexpensive.
It is also fairly common for most middle class families to have domestic staff such as cooks/cleaners etc in India.
Factor all that in to the economy class cabin of an international airline that is leanly crewed and combine it with the expectations of that market and bam.
Very very busy and demanding flights with generally unrealistic expectations from customers. Which I have always found kinda ironic given the reputation of Indian airlines.
This is not racist but my observation as an Indian.
IMHO, I don’t think the issue is flights are leanly crewed, it’s the entitlement of majority of Indians. The rich in India have grown up with 24hr maids / servants / helpers around them doing everything for them. In Indian culture, people are judged based on the work they do. The service class is considered worthless. So, when you combine both you get the kind...
This is not racist but my observation as an Indian.
IMHO, I don’t think the issue is flights are leanly crewed, it’s the entitlement of majority of Indians. The rich in India have grown up with 24hr maids / servants / helpers around them doing everything for them. In Indian culture, people are judged based on the work they do. The service class is considered worthless. So, when you combine both you get the kind of unrealistic expectations you see on Indian routes.
I have seen growing up, your maid had he own dish to eat and glass for water. They had different shape so, no one could ever confuse them. Same for anyone trades men that’d come home for any kind of work.
For middle class, flying (especially abroad) is still considered “luxury”. They get onboard with certain misconceptions they may have seen/heard/read about and that reflects in their onboard behavior.
@Capri
"In Indian culture, people are judged based on the work they do"
That answers why a Wells Fargo executive can pee on other people.
@Eskimo no that is because Indians love to drink but they drink to get drunk and don’t know their limit. It has nothing to do with their class or caste or status.
Exactly what Duckling answered. Tho at my carrier also DXB and MIA for different reasons. But yeah, India sectors are brutal. When I am speaking to crews from different airlines that fly to India they all say the same. Delusional expectations of the economy passengers and regular accusations of discrimination (I was told I was racist by a passenger on an Indian flight because I asked her to put her seat upright for landing).
I...
Exactly what Duckling answered. Tho at my carrier also DXB and MIA for different reasons. But yeah, India sectors are brutal. When I am speaking to crews from different airlines that fly to India they all say the same. Delusional expectations of the economy passengers and regular accusations of discrimination (I was told I was racist by a passenger on an Indian flight because I asked her to put her seat upright for landing).
I think like duckling says is true in India there is just someone to do everything for you. Carry your bag, cook your food, open your door. Is same as wheelchair passengers. Non India flight maybe 4 to 5 on a flight. India flight, add a zero to both of those, 40 or 50. Not because they need wheelchair but because they are guided through the airport and immigration and assisted with their bags etc. Maybe India has a very unhealthy population IDK.
retired flight attendant here AGREES in spades ! there are countries that I would chew my arm off to get away from
According to their social media they are from Mumbai, India.
That would make sense. Whenever I fly over that giant cesspool, I have to hold my breath due to the overpowering stench despite me being 38000 feet up in a pressurized cabin. That entire nation is a giant septic tank.
Like I always say, if you're not going to worry about something in 5 years, don't worry about it at all.
You're not always going to get your way.
I really need to get this approach. I wish i could.