Then another announcement came.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the continued delay. Our crew is working to resolve an operational issue. We appreciate your patience.”
A man in row eighteen let out a bitter laugh.
“Patience? That’s all they ever tell us.”
His wife touched his arm. “Please, not again.”
“I’ve been here since six this morning. I have a meeting tomorrow. Nobody is going to compensate me for this.”
Across the aisle, another passenger joined the complaint.
“They should at least tell us what’s happening.”
Several people nodded.
Near the middle of the cabin stood a flight attendant named Danielle Brooks.
Danielle was forty-one years old and had worked in commercial aviation for almost twelve years. She had handled medical emergencies, frightened children, turbulence that sent drinks flying across the cabin, and passengers who believed that purchasing a ticket entitled them to treat every employee however they pleased.
