**The Gate Agent Who Stood Up for Flight Attendants**
A recent video posted on Instagram showed a gate agent standing her ground against frustrated passengers during an 8-hour delay in a flight from Birmingham, Alabama, to Charlotte, North Carolina. The gate agent’s speech was not just a call to action but also a display of selflessness, as she looked out for her fellow employees. **A Delayed Flight and Frustrated Passengers**
American Airlines flight AA5270 faced an 8-hour delay from Birmingham, AB to Charlotte, NC on Sunday, April 6. The passengers were left waiting for their flight, and the atmosphere was tense. However, the gate agent took the opportunity to address the situation and deliver a message to the passengers. **The Gate Agent’s Speech**
The gate agent stood up and addressed the passengers, saying, “When you get on that aircraft, let me tell y’all something. Don’t get smart with my flight attendants.” She then ordered, “Be nice to them. They have a hard day just like we do. The same aircraft that’s coming out, the same people that are on that aircraft, it’s the same people that have been waiting as long as you wait, or maybe even longer. So please, y’all, please, I’m asking, do it for me, be nice to them.”
The gate agent also acknowledged the presence of a baby in the room and jokingly scolded it, saying, “Hey, you on this floor. Nuh uh now, where you going? Look, don’t be on that acting up, we know you’re gonna get all the attention.”
**A Selfless Act**
The gate agent’s speech was not just a call to action but also a display of selflessness. She was looking out for her fellow employees, the flight attendants, who were likely waiting just as long as the passengers. By urging passengers to be kind to the flight attendants, she was paying it forward and showing that she cared. **Aviation Expert Praised the Gate Agent**
Aviation expert Ben Schlappig praised the gate agent’s approach and care. He wrote on his blog One Mile at a Time, “This is honestly my favorite kind of gate agent to have working a flight, and she has such good vibes. So many gate agents are indifferent and seem like they don’t really care, while this woman obviously cares.”
He also noted that her tone was perfect, as some meek little talk wouldn’t have had the same effect. Schlappig stated that the gate agent invited “good vibes” while showing she obviously cares about her staff. **Passengers Show Appreciation**
The passengers who viewed the Instagram clip had only good things to say about the gate agent. One passenger commented, “As a FA, she is dope! I love her!! I enjoy her working my flights out of Birmingham Alabama! Extremely personable and genuine!”
Another passenger stated, “Honestly, gate agents are so underrated. They set the stage and tone for your flight experience. The FAS and Pilots carry it to the finish line.”
**A Rise in Unruly Passenger Reports**
The situation highlighted the rise in unruly passenger reports since 2019. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 1,900 air rage incidents in 2023 alone, with a 33% increase in European flights between 2017 and 2018. **Conclusion**
The gate agent’s speech was a reminder that flight attendants are not the ones responsible for delays and are likely not even being paid extra to work those long hours. They are the face of the airline, but they deserve respect and kindness from passengers. The gate agent’s selfless act showed that there are still people in the industry who care about their colleagues and want to create a positive atmosphere on the ground.