Todd, a self-important businessman, was about to get a lesson in humility. Mid-flight, after berating a flight attendant and demanding she wipe his shoes, karma delivered a swift twist, thanks to a powerful stranger.
After a grueling week of meetings, I relaxed in my first-class seat, grateful for the complimentary upgrade. The quiet hum of the cabin was a welcome relief from the chaos of the airport, and I closed my eyes, hoping to enjoy a moment of peace before takeoff.
But peace was short-lived.
The sharp sound of polished shoes on the carpet drew my attention. I looked up to see a man strutting down the aisle as if he owned the plane. His tailored suit and expensive sunglasses screamed arrogance, and his air of superiority was impossible to miss.
Even in first class, he stood out.
As he reached his seat across the aisle, Samantha, our flight attendant, greeted him with a warm smile, though I noticed a flicker of something in her eyes—resignation. Clearly, she had dealt with his type before.
“Welcome aboard, sir,” Samantha said politely. “Can I help you with your bag?”
Todd, as I later learned his name, barely acknowledged her. “It’s fine,” he muttered, shoving his carry-on into the overhead bin with a grunt.
I sighed inwardly. This was going to be one of those flights.
As passengers continued boarding, Todd stretched out like a peacock, oozing entitlement. Samantha was helping an elderly woman to her seat when Todd snapped his fingers, barking, “Hey, you! I need a drink.”
Samantha remained composed, finishing with the elderly passenger before turning to Todd with a strained smile. “Of course, sir. What can I get you?”
Without looking up from his phone, Todd demanded, “Scotch. Make it fast.”
I saw Samantha’s jaw tighten slightly. “I’ll get that for you right away, sir,” she said, keeping her composure.
Minutes later, she returned with his drink. Todd took one sip, wrinkled his nose, and spat, “This is disgusting. You call this service? Get me another.”
Samantha, still professional, nodded and returned with a fresh glass, but Todd’s attention had shifted to something else—his shoes. They had a faint smudge of dust, and what he did next boiled my blood.
He kicked his foot out toward Samantha and sneered, “Clean my shoes. That’s what you’re here for, right?”
The cabin fell into stunned silence. My fists clenched so hard my nails dug into my palms. Samantha froze, fighting to maintain her composure. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said through gritted teeth, “but I’m not able to assist with that.”
Todd waved her off dismissively. “Then what are you here for? You should be grateful someone like me is even flying with this airline. Now, keep the drinks coming and maybe, just maybe, I’ll tip you.”
Tip her? On a plane? Who did this guy think he was?
Samantha, ever the professional, nodded and walked away, likely biting her tongue to avoid saying something she’d regret. When she passed by my seat, I caught her eye and said softly, “I’m so sorry.” She smiled gratefully, though her eyes betrayed her exhaustion.
Todd’s behavior only escalated after takeoff. Every few minutes, there was a new complaint. “Hey!” he shouted. “It’s freezing in here. Do something about it!”
Samantha, with endless patience, adjusted the temperature and offered a blanket when that wasn’t enough. Todd continued his tirade, complaining about everything from the Wi-Fi to the angle of his tray table.
“This thing is crooked!” he hollered, jabbing at the tray. “How am I supposed to work like this?”
Samantha checked the tray, remaining calm. “It seems level, sir. Is there a specific issue?”
Todd rolled his eyes dramatically. “You can’t see it. Get the captain out here. Maybe he can handle this incompetence.”
The tension in the cabin was palpable. Everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something—anything—to shut this guy up.
Then, I saw movement a few rows back. A tall man in his mid-50s stood up, adjusting his blazer as he walked toward Todd. I held my breath, sensing something was about to happen.
The man’s voice was deep and authoritative. “Todd?” he said, catching the businessman’s attention. “I thought that was you.”
Todd’s head snapped up, and his face drained of color. “M-Mr. Harris!” he stammered, leaping to his feet. “I… I didn’t know you were on this flight.”
Mr. Harris, apparently Todd’s boss, gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Clearly not. I’ve been sitting a few rows back, enjoying the spectacle.”
Todd swallowed hard. “Sir, I can explain—”
Harris cut him off with a wave of his hand. “No need to explain. Your behavior speaks for itself.”
The rest of the passengers were now fully invested, watching with thinly veiled glee as the tables turned.
“Tell me, Todd,” Harris continued, his voice calm but firm, “do you treat your coworkers like this? Your subordinates? Or is it just the airline staff who receive this delightful side of you?”
Todd sputtered, “No, sir! I—I don’t—”
“Then why do you think it’s acceptable to treat these hardworking people this way?” Harris asked, his eyes narrowing.
Todd was speechless, his face shifting from pale to an uncomfortable shade of green.
Harris fixed his cufflinks and added, “You’re so concerned about your shoes being clean, perhaps you’ll have time to polish them when we land. I have no doubt you’ll be free to do just that, given your future with the company.”
Todd’s mouth fell open as the weight of Harris’s words sank in. “Mr. Harris, please—”
Harris raised a hand to silence him. “We’ll discuss your future in more detail when we land, but I can assure you, it’s not looking promising.”
With that, Harris turned and walked back to his seat, leaving Todd standing there, humiliated.
For the rest of the flight, Todd was a different person. He sat quietly, avoiding eye contact, and muttered a sheepish “thank you” when Samantha collected his trash.
As we began our descent, Samantha passed by my seat again, this time with a genuine smile. I gave her a thumbs-up, and she winked back.
Karma had done its job.