A Flight Attendant Was Forced To Give The Pilot Horrific News, The Way He Handled It Will…
An airplane captain’s main priority is to keep his or her passengers safe. Captain Richard Rodriguez lived up to his responsibility when a flight attendant informed him a fallen American soldier was aboard the flight.
Upon that news, everything changed for the flight plan. This amazing story of kindness, comfort, care, and love is so touching it will bring you to tears and impact your heart…this is the type of story we should never forget!
The pilot asked the flight attendant to locate the fallen soldier’s escort and send him to the cockpit.
After a brief conversation with the escort, the pilot took off. A short time later, the flight attendant let the pilot know that the soldier’s family was also on the flight. The pilot posted about the flight, saying:
“I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is also on board,” she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia. The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.”
The flight attendant asked the other cabin crew if there was anything they could do for the family, and the pilot said he would take care of it.
He did something very unusual – and against the rules.
Rodriguez took over the regular flight communication system to instead contact the airline via a secondary radio. He explained the situation and asked for help to arrange a worthy return home for the family. The airline promised to return, but when Rodriguez did not receive a reply for two hours, he sent a new message.
Finally, he received an answer:
“Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now, and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family.
The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal, where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home.
Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.”
The captain had the message printed out and sent the message to the family. "You have no idea how much this will mean to them," the lead flight attendant told him.
When the flight landed, Rodriguez decided to make a special announcement. He stopped short of the gate and set the parking brake.
He pushed the public address button and said the following:
"Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking: I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you."
Not only did every person on the flight wait for the family to get their things and exit the plane first, but they all also clapped as they walked through the aisle. Some offered well wishes and prayers, as well.
Rodriguez finished his post with a powerful message:
“Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier. I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA.”
Sources: OpposingViews, Love What Matters/Facebook