‘I’m not playing’: Man films fellow Frontier passenger acting out of pocket. No one expected the flight attendant to react like this
A man recorded an incident on a recent Frontier Airlines flight in which a passenger accused a flight attendant of having an issue with minorities. It’s unclear what started the situation. But a majority of social media viewers believe the passenger was deliberately causing problems on the flight.
In a four-part series, Arthur Poindexter (@peeskies77), a crane operator, documented his recent experience flying with the airline. Things quickly turned tense when a passenger began actively arguing with a member of the flight crew. One installment in the series garnered 1.1 million views, with thousands of commenters agreeing that the passenger was in the wrong.
What was the argument about?
Poindexter managed to capture multiple parts of the passenger’s argument with the flight attendant. It is unclear what originally started the exchange, although the passenger said something had “triggered her.”
In Poindexter’s first recording of the encounter, the passenger can be heard accusing the flight attendant of having an “issue with minorities.” She also said she expected a “little bit more kindness and respect as a customer.” The flight attendant quickly argued back, saying the passenger needed to “give [kindness and respect]” to her first.
The exchange grew increasingly hostile as the flight attendant asked whether the passenger was “from here.” She then added that the passenger would continue to be triggered in Florida, telling her, “Good luck.”
In Poindexter’s second video, he captured the passenger telling the flight attendant that she needed “good training.” The flight attendant responded by pointing out that the passenger was acting in an entitled manner.
“It’s not entitlement… I’m not being treated with kindness and respect,” the passenger said. The flight attendant then told the passenger to “lower [her] voice.” When the passenger did not comply, the flight attendant called for additional assistance.
The attendant can be heard in Poindexter’s video saying, “Hey Jackie, do you mind calling the front? We need security. Thank you,” presumably addressing another Frontier Airlines crew member. Multiple passengers on the flight applauded after the flight attendant did so.
“When other passengers start clapping because they caused security on you…. you’re at fault,” one commenter wrote on Poindexter’s post.
From there, the passenger remained quiet, something Poindexter noted and discussed in later follow-ups.
What ended up happening to the Frontier passenger?
It’s unclear whether or not the passenger ended up getting to her destination, but it’s likely she faced some form of repercussion for holding up the plane and arguing with the flight attendant.
The passenger was actively cursing on the plane in front of families and children, something that the flight crew told her to stop doing. “You’re in control of your own actions, so you need to act like an adult,” the flight attendant told the passenger.
As one commenter stated, “I work for an airline. They will not hesitate to put you on the no fly list for a year minimum. Acting out in an aircraft and not listening to the crew is dangerous for everyone on the plane and they don’t play.”
Similarly, standing up and arguing with a flight attendant, even when the wheels are on the ground, poses a safety risk. Flight attendants aren’t just there to serve those on board. They’re specifically trained to maintain order on flights and prevent delays or disruptions. Unruly passenger behavior can disproportionately affect aircrafts, according to the Flight Safety Foundation, as it can cause reroutes or flight disembarkation once in the air.
Poindexter has not clarified whether or not the passenger was removed from the plane or what led up to the encounter. He did, however, film a few sour looks from both parties that indicate how testing the situation was.
The Mary Sue reached out to Poindexter and Frontier Airlines for more information.
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