An entitled guy on plane treats flight attendant like trash, orders her to clean his shoes – but “karma” hits him hard.
When an arrogant businessman named Todd boarded the flight, his behavior took entitlement to a new low. He berated the flight attendant and even demanded that she clean his shoes mid-flight. But in an unexpected turn of events, karma stepped in, delivering a powerful twist.
I had just settled into my first-class seat, grateful for the free upgrade after a long week of meetings. The peaceful hum of the cabin was a welcome relief from the chaos of the airport. However, the serenity didn’t last long.
The sound of expensive shoes on the carpet made me open my eyes just in time to see a man strutting down the aisle like he owned the plane. Everything about him screamed superiority, his tailored suit, designer sunglasses, and the air of entitlement he exuded.
Even in first class, Todd stood out. As he took his seat across the aisle, I exchanged a glance with Samantha, the flight attendant. She greeted him with a smile, though I noticed a flicker of what looked like resignation. Clearly, she had dealt with his type before.
“Welcome aboard, sir,” Samantha said politely. “Can I help you with your bag?”
Todd barely acknowledged her, roughly shoving his carry-on into the overhead bin. I sighed to myself, realizing it was going to be a long flight.
As the cabin filled, Todd quickly made himself known, spreading out as if the space belonged to him. He snapped his fingers at Samantha while she was assisting an elderly passenger. “Hey, you! Get me a drink,” he barked, not even bothering to look up from his phone.
Samantha, ever the professional, finished helping the woman before turning to Todd. “Of course, sir. What can I get for you?”
“Scotch. And make it fast,” he muttered.
I watched as Samantha’s smile tightened slightly. She returned with the drink, but Todd grimaced after one sip.
“This is terrible,” he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “You call this service? Bring me another.”
Samantha, maintaining her calm, complied and brought him a fresh drink. But Todd wasn’t finished. He glanced down at his shoes, which had a faint speck of dust on them. What he did next made my blood boil.
He kicked his foot out toward Samantha and sneered, “While you’re at it, clean my shoes. Isn’t that your job?”
The entire cabin went silent. My fists clenched at the sight. Samantha paused for a moment before responding with grace. “I’m sorry, sir, but that’s not something I can assist with.”
Todd waved her off dismissively. “Then what are you even here for? I’m doing this airline a favor by flying with them. The least you can do is keep the drinks coming and be useful.”
I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Samantha nodded and walked away, no doubt biting her tongue to keep from saying what she really wanted.
As the flight continued, Todd’s behavior only worsened. Every few minutes, he found something new to complain about. “It’s freezing in here!” he shouted. Samantha adjusted the temperature, but that wasn’t good enough. “Get me a blanket. Now!” he demanded.
Samantha fetched a blanket, but Todd’s grievances were endless. The wi-fi wasn’t fast enough, his seat wasn’t comfortable, and even the angle of his tray table was somehow a problem. His entitled tirade continued; each complaint more absurd than the last.
It was around this time that I noticed movement from a few rows back. A tall man in his mid-50s stood up and began walking toward Todd. There was something commanding about him, and I found myself holding my breath.
“Todd?” the man said, his voice firm. “I thought that was you.”
Todd’s face turned ghostly pale. “Mr. Harris!” he stammered, jumping to his feet. “I didn’t realize you were on this flight.”
Mr. Harris, clearly Todd’s boss, gave a cool smile. “Evidently not,” he said. “I’ve been watching your behavior, and I must say, it’s been quite the show.”
Todd swallowed hard. “Sir, I can explain—”
“There’s no need,” Mr. Harris cut him off. “Your actions have been very… illuminating.”
The entire cabin seemed to be holding its breath as Mr. Harris continued. “Tell me, Todd, is this how you treat our clients? Berating service staff, making outrageous demands? Is this how you conduct business?”
Todd opened and closed his mouth, searching for words. “I… I didn’t mean—”
Mr. Harris raised a hand, silencing him. “You’ve not only embarrassed yourself, but you’ve embarrassed our company. I’m curious—do you treat your colleagues this way? Your subordinates?”
Todd shook his head vigorously. “No, sir, of course not.”
“Then why do you think it’s acceptable to treat these flight attendants like they’re beneath you?” Mr. Harris’s voice was stern. “Since you’re so concerned with cleanliness, perhaps you’d like to clean your own shoes when we land.”
I had to bite my lip to stop me from cheering.
Todd stammered, “I promise it won’t happen again.”
“You’re right about that,” Mr. Harris said, his tone cold. “When we land, you and I will have a serious discussion about your future with the company. Or rather, your lack of one.”
With that, Mr. Harris turned and returned to his seat, leaving Todd standing there, humiliated and speechless.
For the rest of the flight, Todd was a changed man. He sat quietly, avoiding eye contact with everyone. When Samantha passed by to collect trash, he muttered a meek “thank you” without looking up.
As the plane began its descent, I caught Samantha’s eye. This time, her smile was genuine. I gave her a thumbs-up, and she winked in return.
Karma, it seemed, had come full circle.