During the pandemic we’ve seen an endless number of stories of people acting out of order at airports and on airplanes. This is probably the most heart-wrenching example of this that I’ve seen. The behavior exhibited here is simply beyond, not just by the mother, but also by someone else, who I believe may be a Frontier Airlines employee?
In this post:
Mother finds out she can’t fly Frontier, assaults staff
Video has surfaced of a situation that unfolded at the Frontier Airlines check-in counter at Orlando International Airport (MCO). While there aren’t many official details of what happened, a good amount of the info can be pieced together based on what’s captured on video.
The incident starts when a woman is informed that she’s not allowed to fly with Frontier. While it’s not explicitly stated in the video, it would appear that she’s on Frontier Airlines’ no-fly list. Airlines have been banning passengers for bad behavior, not complying with face mask policies, etc.
Once the woman is informed that she won’t be allowed to fly with Frontier, she walks around the counter and physically assaults the check-in agent, hitting her and trying to throw a keyboard at her. At this point someone starts yelling at and taunting the already angry traveler. If I’m seeing things correctly I believe this may be the Frontier Airlines check-in agent who was being assaulted, but someone correct me if I’m wrong.
The person yells “get the f*ck out of here b*tch, get the f*ck out of here. F*ck with me, b*tch, f*ck with me, f*ck with me, f*ck with me, f*ck with me. Go ahead, go ahead, I’ll knock you the f*ck out, go ahead, in front of your kids.”
Throughout this, the woman’s young daughter can be heard crying uncontrollably, yelling “mommy,” and saying “mommy, I don’t want you to go to jail.” The mom responds “I’m going to f*ck this b*tch up.” Meanwhile the young girl’s brother just stands there and doesn’t say anything, almost as if he’s used to this kind of behavior.
The passenger briefly walks away from the counter. She then once again walks to the counter, picks up one of the metal poles used to divide lines, and tries to hit the gate agent with it. She then takes a keyboard and mouse and also tries to throw it at the employee. All the while she’s being taunted, with someone yelling “go ahead, b*tch,” at her.
At this point a police officer shows up, who is the only reasonable adult in this situation. He gently takes the angry passenger in another direction and tries to defuse the situation. It’s not known if the woman ended up being arrested, or what happened.
You can watch one of the videos on Reddit, and watch another one of the videos on Twitter, though note that they’re not suitable for work, and contain lots of bad language and violence.
This is just sad and awful…
This is possibly the worst airport rage incident that I’ve ever seen.
My heart breaks for the daughter, who is screaming and crying and begging her mom to stop, terrified that her mother would be arrested. And equally my heart breaks for the son, who almost seems unfazed by the whole thing.
This woman’s behavior is completely unacceptable. It’s awful she would have rage that would cause her to act this way, because this doesn’t come out of nowhere. I hope she gets the help she needs, that corrective action is taken to prevent her from doing this again, and that her children can grow up in a stable situation where they don’t have to witness things like this.
While the passenger’s behavior is clearly completely out of line and she’s the main aggressor here, the person provoking her is terrible as well, and made the situation worse than it had to be. When someone is already assaulting others and acting in rage, repeatedly encouraging them to “f*ck” with you, and threatening to knock them out in front of their kids isn’t the solution (and is downright cruel). If it is in fact a Frontier Airlines employee doing that (rather than another passenger), then that needs to be addressed seriously by the company.
While the passenger should be held accountable for how she acted, I’m not sure she would have taken it as far if another person hadn’t taunted her so much. C’mon folks, when someone is acting that way, don’t engage them and make them even angrier. Let me again emphasize that this in no way excuses the mother’s actions, it’s just a further observation.
Bottom line
Unfortunately during the pandemic we’ve seen more air rage than ever before, and there are a lot of factors probably contributing to that. Video has emerged of a mother assaulting a Frontier Airlines gate agent after she finds out she’s not allowed to fly with the airline.
What makes this even worse is that she does all of this in front of her young crying daughter, who is begging her to stop, so that she doesn’t get arrested. And then on top of that, someone else is quite literally taunting this woman and adding flames to the fire, by daring the mother to “f*ck” with her, and threatening to knock her out in front of her kids.
Just wow…
The screening process needs to start at the counter. If the airlines want to avoid these confrontations and circumvent their customers landing(excuse the pun) at another carrier, there needs to be decent aesthetic filtering, interview for attitude and intoxication and clear statement of requirements BEFORE they go through security and get to the gate. Where was the officer the first time this wacko strolled behind the counter and ripped the keyboard off the desk?! In...
The screening process needs to start at the counter. If the airlines want to avoid these confrontations and circumvent their customers landing(excuse the pun) at another carrier, there needs to be decent aesthetic filtering, interview for attitude and intoxication and clear statement of requirements BEFORE they go through security and get to the gate. Where was the officer the first time this wacko strolled behind the counter and ripped the keyboard off the desk?! In Europe, you go through 3 checks and screenings beyond the ticket counter, and rarely have I seen any disruptions in-flight or on the ground...it just doesn't happen. They also have officers walking the halls with sub-machine guns and dogs, but that's another matter.
"While the passenger should be held accountable for how she acted, I’m not sure she would have taken it as far if another person hadn’t taunted her so much. C’mon folks, when someone is acting that way, don’t engage them and make them even angrier. Let me again emphasize that this in no way excuses the mother’s actions, it’s just a further observation."
That's not an observation. It's a judgment.
Ben gets lots...
"While the passenger should be held accountable for how she acted, I’m not sure she would have taken it as far if another person hadn’t taunted her so much. C’mon folks, when someone is acting that way, don’t engage them and make them even angrier. Let me again emphasize that this in no way excuses the mother’s actions, it’s just a further observation."
That's not an observation. It's a judgment.
Ben gets lots of posts that attack him. Sometimes he responds in-kind. Ask any long-time readers. Should someone tell Ben this, that if he didn't taunt the poster the poster wouldn't have taken it so far?
At the end of the day people have to take responsibility for their actions and Ben is just excusing her. If Ben is not, why does Ben think the other person should just "take it?"
The mother didn't touch her but your going to taunt her in front of her children cursing at her the employee telling her that she will beat in her in front of her kids. Is that right I don't know what that lady was going through on that day it was the last straw for her. Yes I believe she should have asked for a supervisor to address the problem and employee. The title is...
The mother didn't touch her but your going to taunt her in front of her children cursing at her the employee telling her that she will beat in her in front of her kids. Is that right I don't know what that lady was going through on that day it was the last straw for her. Yes I believe she should have asked for a supervisor to address the problem and employee. The title is deceptive to try to grab headlines yes she threw things but in no way shape or form did she hit that employee I pray for that family. I hope that employee was fired needless to say
No way this lady should be able to ever fly on an airline in this country. There needs to be consequences for acting like this. What I don’t see is all this talk about cheap flights, but I don’t fly Spirit or Frontier. AA flights are crazy through fall.
update - https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article252648448.html
Woman missed her flight, not a No Fly list scenario
Woman was pepper-sprayed by an airline employee in defense of colleague being assaulted
Woman was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, released on $3K bond
Children were turned over to state Department of Children and Families
We use to do foster care. The only thing that should be taken from this video is how sad it is for the children. When they are taken like these two were they are placed with people trying to help. These children will need counseling because of PTSD. It’s real and it’s on full display with the children. The older brother is shut down with no reaction while his younger sister is having a complete...
We use to do foster care. The only thing that should be taken from this video is how sad it is for the children. When they are taken like these two were they are placed with people trying to help. These children will need counseling because of PTSD. It’s real and it’s on full display with the children. The older brother is shut down with no reaction while his younger sister is having a complete emotional breakdown. I hope they went to a loving foster home. Lord knows they need it after seeing the adults acting so foolishly.
More than ever, she should not be allowed to travel on airlines, train or bus service anywhere in the USA.
I feel bad for her children. This is obviously not their first time witnessing a Mommy Meltdown.
This is absolutely unacceptable. This woman should have charges to the maximum limit pressed on this behavior. There should be no pity on her . Apparently she knew the situation ( on the no fly list ) and tried again to get on the aircraft . I'm curious what happened to her and the children ? Hopefully , she's been put away from society and the innocent children are in a safe atmosphere .
I've been traveling this summer and I've had it with unruly and surly passengers. Also, most gate employees have been stressed to the max and while I know much is out of their control, copping an attitude isn't a good call either.
If this woman was on the no-fly list for Frontier, why was she even there at the counter? Did she already have a ticket and they flagged her upon check-in or was she trying to buy a ticket on the fly?
If an airline bans someone, they shouldn't be able to purchase a ticket from the get-go. Seems like IT at Frontier needs to fix this little issue so that this doesn't happen again.
FYI, Frontier does not have their own ground staff anywhere. The folks working their flights are always low-wage third-party contractor staff. As for the employee getting verbal with the raging customer - when you pay McDonald's wages, you get McDonald's staff behavior.
It's Frontier, what do you expect for?
A whole new animal. Each time.
Oops I meant "a whole different animal." Each time.
Wow. I just feel immensely horrible for what the mother's children, especially the girl, had to go through. If I were that psychopath mother, and I could even have the feelings, the impulse, or maybe even the level of insanity to go through doing something like this, hearing my child screaming "MOMMY!" at the top of her lungs and shouting that she did not want me to go to jail would immediately be enough for...
Wow. I just feel immensely horrible for what the mother's children, especially the girl, had to go through. If I were that psychopath mother, and I could even have the feelings, the impulse, or maybe even the level of insanity to go through doing something like this, hearing my child screaming "MOMMY!" at the top of her lungs and shouting that she did not want me to go to jail would immediately be enough for me to stop. We do not know why she was banned initially but I am pretty sure that after this, this woman will, for sure, never see an animal on her plane's winglets ever again.
Oh, we have all been there, but it usually doesn't get this physical or this dramatic. Yes, obviously a behavioural problem especially if this was all about her being on a "No fly list". ..was that the issue? I remember starting a 6 hour flight from Adelaide to Bali and as soon as the seatbelt lights went off, the people in front of us lay their seat backs down and suddenly we had no legroom...
Oh, we have all been there, but it usually doesn't get this physical or this dramatic. Yes, obviously a behavioural problem especially if this was all about her being on a "No fly list". ..was that the issue? I remember starting a 6 hour flight from Adelaide to Bali and as soon as the seatbelt lights went off, the people in front of us lay their seat backs down and suddenly we had no legroom ( we both have long legs) . We said nothing and got on with watching movies. Then after an hour or so, my wife who was sitting next to the window asked if she could get out to go to the toilet. The man in front of her (who still had his setback down) turned around and complained that she was making it very hard for him to sleep with all that movement! I gave him a piece of my mind, and told the steward the problem we were having. She did her best to sort it out, and it sort of worked, but it left a nasty taste in my mouth. People? Who needs them? They are the worst.
You only “believe” it’s the same frontier agent as the one that was assaulted that was egging the woman on.
Belief is not the same as proof. You usually don’t assign blame like this without actual proof so why start apportioning blame now?
No sympathy for the assaulted gate agent? What if the agent had children at home and they had to see the effects of an assault on their mother?
There’s a reason why she’s on a no fly-list… and should also have her children taken by Social Services - clearly an unfit mother!
Take this down, Ben. Don't share that poor child's trauma across the internet.
I'm pretty sure any parent who 1) flies on Spirit or Frontier or 2) flies to/from the state of Florida should basically expect that the their children will be exposed to this. Freedom and cheap flights to the masses!
Thoughts and prayers
That poor child. Really feeling for her. Absolutely heartbreaking.
While some are saying that Ben should not be posting these things here, the reality is that this IS the reality of flying today. It's not all hot towels, warm nuts, great meals, and good champagne anymore. This is now reality - daily arguments/brawls/fights, hot tempers, service/cost cuts, and unhappy people making this whole industry truly awful right now. Simply ignoring it won't make it go...
That poor child. Really feeling for her. Absolutely heartbreaking.
While some are saying that Ben should not be posting these things here, the reality is that this IS the reality of flying today. It's not all hot towels, warm nuts, great meals, and good champagne anymore. This is now reality - daily arguments/brawls/fights, hot tempers, service/cost cuts, and unhappy people making this whole industry truly awful right now. Simply ignoring it won't make it go away. Situations like this is a big part of the reason why I have no desire to travel at this point.
This is not "sad" at all... She first off, should have been handcuffed, arrested and charged with assault, destruction of property, and whatever FAA rules could have been applied at the airport. Then they should hold a hearing to hopefully take away her children, since she is clearly incapable of taking care of them. 20 years in prison for her to deal with her anger issues. The Gate Agent should haul her into civil court...
This is not "sad" at all... She first off, should have been handcuffed, arrested and charged with assault, destruction of property, and whatever FAA rules could have been applied at the airport. Then they should hold a hearing to hopefully take away her children, since she is clearly incapable of taking care of them. 20 years in prison for her to deal with her anger issues. The Gate Agent should haul her into civil court and take what few pennies she has in the bank.
Sorry for the poor kids.
Trash. Anyhow who acts and behaves like that in front of their own children doesn’t deserve to have them. If she was in a no fly list one assumes she knows why , therefore her behaviour is unlikely not to be unusual. A pity she wasn’t tasered.
Icarus,
Agree 100% she should have been tasered then taken away from the children. This is totally out of control and unacceptable behavior for anyone in public . Facts known , she's probably gotten away with this behavior without any repercussions ; So why not repeat the sane behavior again , and again , and again , etc... If this type of person is not made to pay the price for this behavior , it will continue to happen , despite being on the no fly List .
After watching the video many times, I can be certain that the other person cursing is the Frontier employee. While the passenger behavior is unacceptable and should had seen her daughter was a wreck, the Frontier employee made the situation worse by taunting more and cursing at the passenger. Frontier executive should clearly look at the video and take appropriate action against the employee.
The proper action is raise her salary, she is a hero!!!
Appears to be an incident from last year:
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/07/01/woman-attacks-5-airline-agents-corrections-officer-over-carry-on-bag-claims-she-has-covid-19-attempts-to-escape-jail-police-say/
Appears to be a different incident as that was Spirit Airlines and this one is Frontier Airlines.
Why are you posting something that happened 1 year ago?
Silly question. The same reason everything gets posted on this site:
Ad views/clicks or product referral clicks.
Why else?
While provoking was uncalled for, that does not excuse the aggressor/initiator, all blame lies 100% with her, period. Imagine if we normalize/validate people going off on physical assault for verbal provocation... When provoked, at worse, respond in kind, you do not cross the verbal to physical threshold.
WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN™?
"Ha, is anyone surprised? It's usually the low-class, low-income trash that fly airlines like Frontier."
How'd you figure out the participants' class stature and income from the video?
I was impressed with the policeman's restraint. He could have gotten physical right away given the woman's wild, violent behvaior. And/or, he could have called for back-up, which may well have wound up the same way. Instead, he steered the family away from the airline employees...
"Ha, is anyone surprised? It's usually the low-class, low-income trash that fly airlines like Frontier."
How'd you figure out the participants' class stature and income from the video?
I was impressed with the policeman's restraint. He could have gotten physical right away given the woman's wild, violent behvaior. And/or, he could have called for back-up, which may well have wound up the same way. Instead, he steered the family away from the airline employees and guided them outside where the risk of escalation seemed less.
Of course, what happened after the video cut-off is unknown to me.
Behavior. That's how. And clear lack of common sense, home training and decency, which are hallmarks of the low-class, low-income demographic. I grew up in redneck backwoods hick country, and it was always the white trailer trash or the black projects trash that acted like this. It was the rule, not the exception.
So bad behavior means they’re from a lower class, lower income.
Right.
Not exactly. There are wealthy, spoiled, horrible people who behave badly. But that brand of bad behavior tends to be "do you know who I am?!? I'm entitled to do this!" Those people are insufferable and deserving of a punch in the mouth. This kind of bad behavior is a complete lack of control or civility displayed by those who have never been exposed to either thing. Generally those in the socioeconomic underclasses. Such as...
Not exactly. There are wealthy, spoiled, horrible people who behave badly. But that brand of bad behavior tends to be "do you know who I am?!? I'm entitled to do this!" Those people are insufferable and deserving of a punch in the mouth. This kind of bad behavior is a complete lack of control or civility displayed by those who have never been exposed to either thing. Generally those in the socioeconomic underclasses. Such as this woman undoubtedly is, based on her behavior.
Amen Jesse!!
1. I think most Americans are tired of being told what to do every second of every day by "the authorities" (CDC, TSA, etc) and starting to snap more easily.
2. Pretty sure this isn't her first air-rage incident (hence the no-fly designation).
3. Is OMAAT partnering with Worldstar for commissions? ;)
@UA-NYC - tell that to all the parents flooding the school board meetings in Loudoun County, VA, especially the African American ones who don't want this crap taught to their kids.
https://www.loudountimes.com/news/ziegler-remains-firm-lcps-is-not-teaching-critical-race-theory/article_146c1e8c-c3c9-11eb-9217-ebb5be4d3868.html
Pretty clear to me training, not teaching. And good on them for keeping teachers up to date.
Feel free to paste your link detailing all these A-A families super unhappy about CRT. Or was that just a Tucker Carlson segment?
You want a "link detailing all these A-A families super unhappy about CRT." Just to show you what a POS you are, just look up Joe Mobley. He is pretty outspoken and fits the race you wanted to hear from (https://twitter.com/_joemobley?lang=en ). I'm Indian, in Loudoun County, and am against CRT...but you are looking for A-A people so I'll take my race and sit this one out.
While we have our share of problems in Canada, stories like this make me happy that our border is closed to the U.S.
While widely open to the middle east. Don't worry, we know.
I appreciate your news and updates such as this. Pardon the run-on, but this shows you going beyond politics, beliefs and the almost ridiculous two sided country we live in to bring out the near daily examples of people unecessarily going off the deep end in what should be a much less stress induced travel sector. Ive made here a daily viewing as you have adapted to a well generalized audience.
I’m curious though. If she’s on a no-fly list, why was she even able to buy a ticket?
How surprising this woman is on the no-fly list. I can't imagine why. LOL.
I'm not trying to turn this into politics but this is what happens to people who doesn't care about Pro-life or Pro-choice, they just pro-breed a broken child who can possibly grow up broken.
What do you expect will happen to her 2 children.
What we need today isn't vaccinations but vasectomy.
Again, another nasty, racist comment by Eskimo!
Eskimo’s comments are harsh and not well thought out. Some of them are nasty and below the belt. Personally, I don’t think Edkimo and I would get along. But, race isn’t mentioned in the comment to which you replied (unless it was edited before I read it)
I’m a flight attendant and when I saw this video, my thoughts were about how sad and tragic the whole incident it. And, as a world traveler who...
Eskimo’s comments are harsh and not well thought out. Some of them are nasty and below the belt. Personally, I don’t think Edkimo and I would get along. But, race isn’t mentioned in the comment to which you replied (unless it was edited before I read it)
I’m a flight attendant and when I saw this video, my thoughts were about how sad and tragic the whole incident it. And, as a world traveler who works with every culture and ethnicity, ANYONE with a personality like this could have done the same.
@Ben or @Tiffany -- a typo: "Airlines having been banning..." > should be "have been banning..."
I really disagree with how hard you’re coming down on the Frontier employee here. When you’ve got someone violently attacking you like that, your defense mechanisms come out and this is how this person responded. Was it 100% the best way to handle it? No. However, they’re put in a crazy situation in a matter of seconds, so they need to be given some leeway. The customers behavior is entirely to blame for this incident.
Rule #1 about fight club, don't talk about fight club. Take this trash down.
So so sad... my heart breaks for this kids.
Why are you trying so hard to put POCs in a bad light? Only a racist would post or repost something like this.
I never even thought about race until I read your comment. Do people constantly have to refer to it??
Critical Race Theory says race is the first and only thing I should see. Time to get with the program.
Nothing true about that in the slightest actually...but it is the Tucker Carlson talking point
That's not what Critical Race Theory says, jcil, but keep spreading the lies - maybe you'll make it onto FoxNews! @Eskimo - your blatantly racist comments on this site continue to reach new lows. What is it in your life that makes you so bitter?
Ya better brush up on your facts because that is EXACTLY what it teaches....
Yes. The race card is a very powerful weapon and very easy to use.
Lately I feel it's the POCs who are making things a racial issue.
I just feel lucky enough that I don't live long enough to see white people becomes the minority. Believe me, it's going to be much worse than POC as minority.
Big yikes.
This type of article always drives up the metrics (and engagement -- note your comment, and my own).
This post has nothing to do with race. This is about a traveler rage incident. It’s not racist just because the person happens to be a POC.
Also agree this should be taken down. This is just upsetting for the poor child and not right to be up here on a page like this.
Good to be taken down. A hard and sad watch.
This is guaranteed to bring out the racists when posted on other travel blogs.
Ok - after watching the video with audio, I agree it shouldn’t be posted here. Any video with identifiable children like this shouldn’t be posted on a site like this. Take it down
I agree with Bo. Plus, look at the guy who's tweet you've posted.
1) While all the behavior is inexcusable, I wonder why the passenger was allowed to be ticketed at all. If I were on a no fly list for an airline, I would like to know before purchasing a ticket and showing up to an airport. Maybe I could have booked other arrangements
2) I agree with the other poster that some incidents shouldn’t be shown (however this one does reflect the issue of no fly lists)
Pax could have had the ticket before being banned from the airline. Or, they could have ticketed this flight under a slightly different name. Also, I expect it's not possible to resolve similar-name issues at ticketing
I don’t agree with Bo. I appreciate you sharing Ben, despite it being tough to read and watch (heartbreaking actually). This is the world we live in and I am coming back to travel for work and my family. It’s articles like this that make me stay away from Spirit and Frontier. While American is far from perfect, these types of stories tend to to show up on the Spirits and Frontiers more often than...
I don’t agree with Bo. I appreciate you sharing Ben, despite it being tough to read and watch (heartbreaking actually). This is the world we live in and I am coming back to travel for work and my family. It’s articles like this that make me stay away from Spirit and Frontier. While American is far from perfect, these types of stories tend to to show up on the Spirits and Frontiers more often than not. I think it’s travel related news, despite being really sad to see.
You’ve always been one of the better ones Ben about not posting this kind of crap. I hope you’ll reconsider putting up future posts like this
@ Bo -- I appreciate the feedback, and also that you recognize that I generally don't post stuff like this. I agree with you, and it's something I'll be cognizant of going forward. The reason I posted this particular one is because of how extreme it was, and also because of the extent to which this person was being "encouraged" by someone I believe may be a Frontier employee. If that is in fact the case, that person needs a talking to as well.
You post things like this all the time Ben.
I agree with Ben, this is more about the behavior of the Frontier employee, I looed at the video from different angles and concluded that the person cursing back was the Frontier employee and should be addressed by Frontier executives.
I hope you're putting white people also because I have seen worst videos of their behavior smh ridiculous FOH
show me 1, lol!
Disagree with you that Ben has been particularly good about not posting this kind of stuff. One particular post from years ago still sticks in my craw (because, in that case, it was my own ox getting gored) -- a flight between Miami and New York where Ben was commenting on the "loud, pushy people -- you know who I mean" on the flight.
Indeed, this issue of "group X behaving badly posts" is something...
Disagree with you that Ben has been particularly good about not posting this kind of stuff. One particular post from years ago still sticks in my craw (because, in that case, it was my own ox getting gored) -- a flight between Miami and New York where Ben was commenting on the "loud, pushy people -- you know who I mean" on the flight.
Indeed, this issue of "group X behaving badly posts" is something that affects most of the "bling-focused" travel blogs. It's writers who seem to feel that their ascension, through the use of points, to "first class" status comes along with the role of commenting on other people's behavior (as well as food, wine, and other things that they have not necessarily invested the time in learning about).
Ha, is anyone surprised? It's usually the low-class, low-income trash that fly airlines like Frontier. DHR needs to step in and remove the children from this woman, as she is clearly unfit to be a mother.
sorry Jesse but this " low-class trash "is flying on all carriers with such cheap tickets .