MR

Mourning the loss of his child's child, and no doubt worrying about his grieving daughter, he was likely in no state to travel. Airport stress only compounded his despair. He arrived at LAX two hours before his scheduled flight time, but quickly realized that delays at baggage check and security would keep him from making the flight.

According to Nancy, he struggled to hold back tears as he pleaded with TSA and Southwest Airlines staff to fast-track him through the lines that were moving like molasses. Even though missing his flight could mean missing a final chance to see his grandson, no one seemed to care.

Too much was at stake to simply roll over and cry. When he finally cleared security - several minutes after his flight's planned departure - he grabbed his computer bag, shoes and belt, and ran to his terminal wearing only his socks. The pilot and the gate agent were waiting for him.

"Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we're so sorry about the loss of your grandson," the pilot reportedly said. "They can't go anywhere without me and I wasn't going anywhere without you. Now relax. We'll get you there. And again, I'm so sorry."

RossValoryRocks wrote:http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110116/us_time/httpnewsfeedtimecom20110113pilotwhocaresthemostheartwarmingairlinestoryof2011xidrssfullnationyahoo

Mourning the loss of his child's child, and no doubt worrying about his grieving daughter, he was likely in no state to travel. Airport stress only compounded his despair. He arrived at LAX two hours before his scheduled flight time, but quickly realized that delays at baggage check and security would keep him from making the flight.

According to Nancy, he struggled to hold back tears as he pleaded with TSA and Southwest Airlines staff to fast-track him through the lines that were moving like molasses. Even though missing his flight could mean missing a final chance to see his grandson, no one seemed to care.

Too much was at stake to simply roll over and cry. When he finally cleared security - several minutes after his flight's planned departure - he grabbed his computer bag, shoes and belt, and ran to his terminal wearing only his socks. The pilot and the gate agent were waiting for him.

"Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we're so sorry about the loss of your grandson," the pilot reportedly said. "They can't go anywhere without me and I wasn't going anywhere without you. Now relax. We'll get you there. And again, I'm so sorry."

THAT pilot is a GREAT man.

kgdjpubs wrote:very cool. If more people would do the "right thing", this world would be a better place.

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

StevePerryHair wrote:

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

I was just pointing out the obvious because the pilot was getting ALL the credit

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

I was just pointing out the obvious because the pilot was getting ALL the credit

Well the pilot should get all the credits, cause a lot of times, no matter how many people pass on a message, th e(buzzed up) pilots usually dont give a shit and take off anyways

Behshad wrote:What a great story! Kudos to the pilot indeed!

The Leao story is probably gonna get Kenny all teared up, but not me

StevePerryHair wrote:

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

I was just pointing out the obvious because the pilot was getting ALL the credit

Well the pilot should get all the credits, cause a lot of times, no matter how many people pass on a message, th e(buzzed up) pilots usually dont give a shit and take off anyways

Yes, I DID say he gets the most credit since it was ultimately his decision. But there had to be caring people in between for that to happen. Not every person working for an airline cares about the fact someone is grieving a loss. I found that out when I called to get airline tickets when my dad passed away. Southwest is really a people's airline. They are huge into their customer service. And SURE you can have a bad experience on any airline, but they are the best I've flown.

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:

Behshad wrote:

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.

I was just pointing out the obvious because the pilot was getting ALL the credit

Well the pilot should get all the credits, cause a lot of times, no matter how many people pass on a message, th e(buzzed up) pilots usually dont give a shit and take off anyways

Yes, I DID say he gets the most credit since it was ultimately his decision. But there had to be caring people in between for that to happen. Not every person working for an airline cares about the fact someone is grieving a loss. I found that out when I called to get airline tickets when my dad passed away. Southwest is really a people's airline. They are huge into their customer service. And SURE you can have a bad experience on any airline, but they are the best I've flown.

Lets not turn this into an advertisement for SouthWest Airlines please We know you love them !

StevePerryHair wrote:Just another reason for me to love Southwest airlines Someone had to inform that pilot of the situation. So I give credit to all of them, but mostly the pilot since it was his decision.