When a young student found herself stranded in Seattle, one United pilot took the initiative to provide a lending hand.
It is Fathers Day in the USA and I’m trying to stay positive today. Each day is filled with negative stories, so it nice for a couple “feel good” stories, even if I am guilty of just lapping up United PR.
The video below explains everything, but put simply, Houston-based Boeing 737 First Officer Robert Fonte noticed a student was about to break down in tears at a TSA checkpoint and asked if he could help. She explained that “another airline” had stranded her in Seattle (SEA) and she needed to get to her school south of Portland (PDX).
United doesn’t fly from Seattle to Portland (any longer…I remember when that Untied Express flight used to exist), but Fonte walked her over to the United ticket counter and asked his colleagues to book her to Portland “on the competition” and charge his credit card.
Fonte seems like a real stand-up guy and I do feel a bit bad for him…I bet he did not want to record a video boasting about his act of kindness. It does make for good PR, but I am sure many pilots from United and other carriers routinely step up and help someone in need without it being noticed.
CONCLUSION
We need to be more like First Office Fonte. Imagine a world in which we all took those few moments to help someone in need rather than ignore them. That’s not a condemnation, it’s a charge. Father’s Day is a reminder of sacrifice and we should all find ways–certainly myself included–to serve others more.
Great story ….it’s funny you write about dirt and get 50 responses but write sometime touching And gets no response lol. Sad …. happy Father’s Day
I thought your article was accurate and it is one example that helping one another brings people together, and gives everyone involved a positive story to share!
I was there, watching it all take place and I’ll say it feels good to be able to witness care and concern in action. We all can step up and fill in the gap sometimes.
Awesome story. United should be super proud to have employees like First Officer Dante. I sincerely hope his generous act is recognized by Oscar….
Robert is a great person all around- happy Father’s Day!
I once had to get from Seattle to Salem, Oregon, south of Portland. I did not cry but took a Bolt bus from Seattle to Portland and then walked about 6-10 blocks to the Greyhound station and took a Greyhound bus from Portland to Salem. I could have gone all the way on Greyhound but saved a few dollars by taking Bolt.
While a nice story, this college student is near the verge of tears when life can have far worse things happen. On the other hand, a college student is still young so there’s many years to learn from the school of hard knocks.
On UA93 on 9/11, brave passengers did not cry but tried to take over the plane from al Qaeda even though they knew they were probably doomed. They were partly successful for they saved the destruction of probably the US Capitol. Of course, they were in their 30’s so they had a little more time to mature.
That was a good story, thanks. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
What a great story.
Now, think about it for a minute. It took a pilot’s “private pay” to fix this problem. SEA to PDX.
We live in the GoFundMe era, I guess.
I saw the video. The college student’s flight was diverted to SEA. She got a hotel voucher but said the airline “forgot” about her. Why not call them or go to their ticket counter?
Seems like Sun Country, Alaska, and Hawaiian fly HNL-PDX. On Saturday, June 15, none of their flights were diverted. Maybe the day before?
What did the other passengers do?
Robert is a wonderful friend and colleague. Thank you for being so kind and helpful to others, Robert!!
Renting a car probably would have been $30…am I supposed to believe she can’t drive from Seattle to Portland? Or how about the train? Aren’t there both Amtrak and local light rail methods of making that trip? It’s nice the FO helped her out, but she’s in college. Perfect time to learn to be more independent and resourceful.
There is (I hope) a typo: “Untied Express.” Did anyone else catch it?
You might have to purchase the United premier premium priority preferred plan for that software!