GROVETOWN, Ga ()- A Grovetown veteran is being called a hero after she stopped a passenger from storming the cockpit on a flight.
Nicole Pruitt was a passenger on Delta Flight 937 from Atlanta to Tucson on July 16th. Shortly after takeoff, she observed another passenger heading towards the cockpit. Pruitt mentioned that the flight attendant was attempting to persuade the woman to go back to her seat when the passenger made a statement that alarmed her.
“The flight attendant said ‘Ma’am, please return to your seat. I cannot let you touch these doors.’ Referring to the main entrance and the cockpit doors, the woman replied, ‘No, I got a calling and God told me to do this.'”
Pruitt explained that since the flight attendant couldn’t calm the woman and no one else stepped in, she relied on her military background as a 26-year Army veteran to restrain the passenger. She expressed confusion about why it fell upon her to intervene.
“Why was I the one who had to act and step in? That’s not my responsibility. I’m a paying customer, and flights are not inexpensive. It shouldn’t have been my duty to intervene. However, I’m glad I did,” shared Pruitt.
Delta issued a statement expressing gratitude, stating: “Delta sincerely appreciates the actions of our crew and customers for de-escalating this situation.” However, Pruitt criticized Delta for downplaying the incident.
“Be transparent with the public. Don’t merely protect your brand and image. Share the truth about what occurred. At this point, I truly believe their crew needs retraining, assuming they have any training,” she contended.
Pruitt lost her husband in November. She told NewsChannel 6 that while everything was happening on the plane, she felt him with her pushing her to take action. And that if she had to do it over again, she would despite the potential danger to herself.
“Because that could have went all different directions. We just don’t know. But I will tell you, I think that was just part of my husband was telling me, ‘You better handle that.'”
After the unruly passenger was subdued, the plane rerouted back to Atlanta, where the woman was removed from the plane. Pruitt said she was told the passenger was having a medical emergency and wasn’t arrested.
Pruitt disembarked as well to speak to law enforcement and Delta officials.
Pruitt explained that Delta took her information and a photo of her ID and told her they would be reaching out, but she said she hasn’t heard from them yet.
A local group will be honoring Pruitt for her heroism on Saturday, August 2 at Rally Point Grill on Washington Road in Evans. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m.
