Off-duty conflict resolution specialist on vacation is amazed by flight attendant's de-escalation skills with frustrated passengers: ‘Ma’am… You [are] a masterclass in kindness!'

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  • "I’ve Taught Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation for 30 Years. Today, I Got Schooled by a Southwest Flight Attendant"

    Flight 489 from Austin to Nashville started with a mess yesterday. A last minute gate change, two lightning delays on departure, a halted safety briefing and frustrated passengers. The lead flight attendant acknowledged it all with grace and a quick joke, then promised she'd help with missed connections. We'd
  • barely left the gate when a passenger nearby started showing signs of a mild panic attack. She noticed immediately. A gentle hand on his shoulder, calm voice, kind smile. Told him she'd be back once she could focus fully, and she kept her word.
  • She checked his connection, talked with him about his vacation, made space for his worries, then gently led him through the "what ifs": what if he missed work, what if he had to stay overnight? She got him to realize it wouldn't be the end of the world. Then shifted to talking Nashville hotels and fun spots like they were old friends.
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  • She promised to ask folks to stay seated so he and others could deplane first, and when she did people graciously complied! She checked on him more than once. Never rushed. Never dismissive.
  • I've spent three decades teaching and using conflict resolution and de-escalation. I know what good looks like. What she did was textbook, and it was an absolute pleasure watching an expert at work. She epitomized calm, curious, and completely human.
  • No idea what her name was, but as she made small talk with me and my adult children deplaning, she mentioned she lives in Georgia and her husband works at a US consulate in the Middle East.
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  • She tried to recruit my twenty year-old daughter into becoming a Southwest flight attendant! I wish I had taken a moment then to tell you what I described above. Instead I'll
  • offer it here: Ma'am, if you see this: you were a masterclass in kindness and fun today, and you are truly a role model for others to follow! Thank you! This is why I always choose Southwest.
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  • mommagoose4 My flight, different states, was delayed a BUNCH of times. Just got home it's 0230. The SW crew was wonderful, the pilot kept us updated, we sat on the tarmac for 40 minutes. Everybody on the flight was kind, polite, no complaining, kids had me giggling. It was terrific, despite getting home 3.5 hrs late!
  • Derp_McShlurp I love that you witnessed this. If you have a minute, you might fill out a compliment with the details you shared. Since you have the flight info it would be easy to track this flight attendant down and get the feedback to her and her supervisors (instead of crossing our fingers and hoping she's on Reddit).
  • -Green-Rhino- Thank you for sharing! Not all heroes wear capes. The decisions made in a panic could have changed that guy's life. She helped when he needed help. Your choosing to share your observation is allowing us to see an example of human kindness. Thanks all the way around!
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  • shemp33 For all the flack we give Southwest (the company) for the changes of late, it certainly is worth making note that it's the people - the humans that make a difference. - Thank you for sharing such a crisp and explicit example of someone like this FA and their exemplary skills (even if those skills are invisible until needed).

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