Alaska Airlines flight attendant Shelia Frederick noticed a young woman in distress on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco. The girl seemed uneasy and less well-dressed than her male companion. Shelia couldn’t ignore her gut feeling and decided to take action. She sought help from a coworker to divert the man’s attention while she tried to communicate with the girl.
“She finally glanced up, and the sight in her eye was simply sad,” Shelia said. She discreetly signaled the girl to use the restroom. While the man waited outside, Shelia remained vigilant. She informed the pilot, who arranged for authorities to meet the man upon landing.
Shelia’s quick thinking saved the young woman from a potentially dangerous situation. She stayed in touch with her, and the girl is now attending college. Shelia’s story serves as a reminder to trust our instincts and take action when something doesn’t seem right. She is a remarkable role model for us all.