The stress of traveling is enough to turn anyone into a great big, crybaby. But this became a little too real for one woman on a flight from New York City to Syracuse last February. Her outburst went viral, as outbursts on planes tend to do since social media are part of our world.
And it is safe to say that she is regretting it. But what went down? What had her so upset? And who was she so upset with? In an ironic twist of fate, it turns out it all started with an actual baby.
And it is safe to say that she is regretting it. But what went down? What had her so upset? And who was she so upset with? In an ironic twist of fate, it turns out it all started with an actual baby.
Babies and Airplanes: A Bad Time For Everyone
Now, planes and babies are usually a bad mix for everybody involved. Recent events have seen parents handing out earplugs and goodies to unsuspecting passengers who might have to fall victim to the crying and screaming of their little ones. After all, you can't exactly tell an infant to chill out as they are strapped into a metal tube hurtling through the air.
But Marissa Rundell's little one was in the mood to behave on that cold, February day. Mason, an eight-month-old, was ready to fly with his nineteen-year-old mother. And he was certainly not deserving of Susan Peirez's outburst that fateful day.
The Young Mother Was Ready to Get It Over With
Mason and his mother got to the airport nice and early so they would have enough time to get comfortable on their flight. Marissa was not bothered to be seated at the back of the plane. She hoped that if Mason cried, it would mean fewer people would be bothered by it, but she was hopeful that he would behave himself.
She and her son had already gotten comfortable in their seats when the final passenger boarded the plane and changed everything that day. Marissa has relived that short but wild encounter countless times since it happened.
Evidently, She Was Having a Rough Day
Unlike Marissa, Susan Peirez was having a really bad day. We do not know why she was the last passenger on the plane. Had she nearly missed her flight? Or was she just unlucky? Either way, it was no excuse for what she said to Marissa and her son.
Susan entered Marissa's scene in a huff, slamming her bags down in her seat and cursing whatever ill luck she was experiencing that day. And then, she looked up and saw Marissa and Mason watching her. And that's when she got all fired up.
Watch Your Language Around My Son!
"F*cking ridiculous!" Susan ranted, irritated that she had been seated all the way at the back of the plane. Marissa found this to be an overreaction, but she was also annoyed by Susan's cursing. Mason was just beginning to learn how to talk and Marissa had been very careful not to expose him to bad language.
"Could you please watch your language around my son?" she asked Susan. It was not a ridiculous request, or so she thought. But Susan would disagree. This was just another annoyance on top of whatever else she had going on that day.
She Could Not Ignore It Any Longer
At first, Susan ignored Marissa's request to watch her language. But when Marissa repeated it, that was the final straw for Susan. "Shut the f*ck up and shove it!" She told the mother of eight-month-old Mason. It was at this point that Marissa took out her phone and began recording.
Perhaps she wanted to save the video in case things got physical, or maybe she was just worried about what might happen if Susan continued to be annoyed with her. But it was obvious at this point that this was not going to be a peaceful flight at all.
That's When Officials Got Involved
A flight attendant overheard the ruckus and approached the bickering women, asking what was wrong. It was then that Susan pulled out a low blow and told the flight attendant that she was angry about having to sit in a row with a crying baby.
Of course, it's worth noting that Mason had not been crying at that point, nor at any time before. But just then, things were going to get much, much worse for all the women involved.
She Offered A Solution, But It Was Refused
The flight attendant was unperturbed though. She was no doubt used to irritable passengers being made extra cranky by the presence of a baby. But there were a lot of flights between JFK Airport in New York City and Syracuse that day. She can be heard on the tape offering to put Susan on the next flight if she didn't like her current arrangements.
But Susan flat out refused. She then asked for the flight attendant's name. No doubt, the attendant knew what this was about. Irate customers love to ask for the name of the person serving them like it's a threat.
"You Might Not Have a Job Tomorrow! "
The flight attendant complied, giving Susan her name. "Tabitha." To which Susan calmly replied, "You might not have a job tomorrow, Tabitha!" At this point, Tabitha, Marissa, and no doubt everyone present was wondering just who this woman thought she was if she thought she could get a flight attendant fired for simply being polite!
That was when Tabitha the flight attendant reached the end of her own rope. On the video, she can be heard saying, "I want this lady off my flight!" to someone beyond the scope of the camera, perhaps another flight attendant.
And That's When Things Changed
With the serious threat of being expelled from the flight over her head, that's when Susan's entire attitude changed. Like a scared rabbit, she backed down from her big boasts. "I work for the governor!" she insisted, referring to Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic governor of New York State.
Was it true? Marissa didn't know. But she did not want this woman on the flight, cursing up a storm in front of her child either. Lucky for her, even Susan's apologies were not enough to keep her on board that Delta flight to Syracuse.
Susan's Entire Demeanor Changed, But It Was Too Late
The threat of being removed from the flight was too real for Susan. She began to beg and bargain with Tabitha and the other flight attendants, saying that she had to get home, she had work she needed to do, things she needed to get done.
But after her temper tantrum, no one was feeling especially charitable to Susan Peirez. After all, it was not their fault she was having a crappy day. And she had no business taking out her frustrations on a nineteen-year-old mother, her eight-month-old son, nor a flight attendant who was simply trying to help out.
She Felt Bad, But It Wasn't Her Fault
As Susan packed up her things and left the plane, she continued swearing up a storm. She apparently continued with her line of self-important cursing, saying that Marissa and the Delta employees would, "all regret kicking her off the plane," Marissa told reporters.
"I thought it was funny how she was acting like a child throwing a tantrum," Marissa continued. But she also felt bad for Susan. "I don't know her story; she doesn't know mine. It might have been a misunderstanding," she told reporters later on.
She Did Not Mean for the Video to Go Viral, Either
Once Marissa got home later that day, she shared the video on her personal Facebook page, intending to share with friends and family the insane adventure she and her son had had during their flight earlier. But then...
"It started going crazy," Marissa told reporters. The clip was only 45 seconds long, but it was enough for spectators all over the world to judge Susan Peirez for her very bad day, her treatment of Marissa, Mason, and the flight attendant, Tabitha, and her self-important posturing.
She Did Work for the Governor
Reporters were able to dig up Susan's name after the video went viral. And it turned out that yes, she did sort of work for Governor Andrew Cuomo. It turned out, she was a program director at the New York State's Council for the Arts.
Whether she actually knows Governor Cuomo is unknown. However, there were some ramifications thanks to her behavior. And there was no word on whether or not Governor Cuomo even knew or was responsible for any of these ramifications. In fact, he didn't even seem to care at all about his good buddy Susan.
Did She Leave Her Job?
A few local papers around the time of the event stated that Susan was put on administrative leave because of her moody behavior. But a quick check of Susan's own Facebook reveals that she left her job at the New York Council on the Arts a short ten months later. Whether or not this was because of the incident on the flight, we do not know.
Ronni Reich, the director of public information for the Council on the Arts, told reporters that, "state employees should not behave like that in public." He also confirmed that there was an internal investigation into her behavior.
As For Marissa and Mason...
Marissa is firm on her stance that she does not think that Susan should lose her job for the incident. Indeed, while Susan was rude, she actually thought the woman's behavior was pretty funny, up until she began cussing her out.
Those online who have viewed the video are also pretty torn. Some think that Susan would have absolutely deserved to lose her job because of the incident, stating that public employees exist in a fishbowl and must always represent the state they serve under.
And of Course, There Was Judgement All-Around
Others were more forgiving, saying that everyone is allowed to have a bad day here and there. Which is completely fair. Few people are happy about having to sit next to a baby on a plane, even one who is as well-behaved as Mason.
And even some heaped judgment on Marissa, who, in a video where she is interviewed by Inside Edition about the event, uses the same swear words that Susan used in front of her own child. It seems a little contradictory, doesn't it? Still, it seems a little silly to be so nitpicky.
Flight Attendants Must Do What Is Safest
Nevertheless, when it comes down to it, Tabitha the flight attendant made the right choice in escorting Susan off of the plane despite her protests. A flight attendant and other airplane personnel must always do what is right for the safety of themselves and their passengers.
Susan was coming across as aggressive and despite her plaintive pleas towards the end of her temper tantrum, she did not belong on that plane at that moment. Who knows what else she could have done if continually bothered? Removing her from the flight was a good choice for all involved, even Susan.
Don't Be Like These Hilariously Terrible Plane Passengers
There’s no moment that can quite match that sinking sensation when you step onto a plane, walk down the aisle, and discover that your allocated seat is between a screaming baby and a loud couple. When you’re stuck in your seat for the duration of the flight, there’s no escaping whatever bizarre people and situations you may encounter.
It’s not unusual to bring your domestic pet on a flight, whether they fly in the hold or under the seat in front of you. Most of the time they are inconspicuous and in a comfortable cage. But passengers experienced a moment of panic when this lady brought her unrestrained parrot on board. If that wasn’t enough, the bird decided to spread its wings halfway through the flight.
Letting the Shoes Air Out
Empty seats are a hot commodity on a flight, especially those journeys that are scheduled to cover longer distances. If you’re one of the lucky individuals to be allocated a seat with an empty seat (or two) alongside you, then you can pretty much do what you want with the extra space.
Most people will use the space to stretch their legs or catch some z's. But this man had a very different idea, he wanted to give his shoes a bit of space to air out. If you’ve ever been on a plane when someone takes their shoes off, then you’ll know that the smell is not the most pleasant and his fellow passengers were not impressed.
Some People Pop Pills to Relax, This Lady Pops Zits
Many may consider time in the air as dead time as you simply wait to arrive at your destination. Some passengers will pack a book, a journal, download a Netflix show, or catch up on some work that doesn’t require the internet. But this young lady had a very different, and quite disgusting, way to kill her time.
While most people will take care of their pop-ready zits in the privacy of their own home or in the bathroom, this lady decided to do it in her seat. Doing so, she created a stir with the passengers around her.
Getting to Know Your Fellow Passengers
Unless you come prepared, a flight can be a very boring experience. If you end up sitting next to a chatterbox, then you could be entertained for hours with conversations about your similarities, differences, and journey plans. But this woman never even got the chance to introduce herself.
Either this blue-eyed beauty didn’t have anything interesting to say, or her fellow passenger was too exhausted to keep his eyes open. Regardless, this passenger thought that it would be a fun idea to capture the amusing moment.
He Found a Comfortable Pillow
When the need to sleep takes over, you’ll realize just how “comfortable” the most uncomfortable situations can be. At first glance, it looks as though the couple in this picture know each other and are playing tag-team to take turns for a plush sleeping position. But in reality, they are complete strangers.
The man with the eye mask was clearly overcome with exhaustion and decided to relax into a nap. Without even realizing it, he stumbled across a lucky “pillow” - the soft bosom of his fellow passenger. The picture was snapped by the woman’s son, and luckily she was able to find the funny side of the awkward situation.
Good Luck Watching the Screen
In the ideal situation, passengers would be considerate of one another and keep their personal belongings within their own space. But not this woman! The owner of the red jacket was all set for making herself comfortable but didn’t give any extra thought to the person behind her.
Whether or not the lady knew that her jacket was covering half of the screen for the seat behind her is irrelevant. It’s still an inconsiderate thing to do. Instead, she should have just placed it on her lap or the overhead compartment.
A Creepy Little Visitor
If you’ve ever been on a plane, then you’ll know the desperate urge to stretch your legs. In the process, you’ll push boundaries to see just how much space you can take up without encroaching on another passenger’s space. This particular woman pushed the limits just a little bit too much, leaving the man in front of her horrified.
From the look on this guy’s face, he’s not one of those people who have a foot fetish. In fact, he looks rather disgusted by the appearance of the feet on his armrest. Oh well, at least her toes are beautifully painted.
Look, Mom, No Hands!
If you’re on an overnight flight then you’ll know the struggle of timing your toilet ventures around “wake up” time which is when everyone decides to brush their teeth. In the process, the toilets can be filled for long periods of time as people clean their pearly whites. But not this guy - he has another idea!
This disheveled-looking passenger was either in a rush that morning, or he couldn’t be bothered about the long queues. Either way, he decided to brush his teeth in his seat. His fellow passengers weren’t very amused, and we can’t help but wonder how he cleaned his mouth afterward, especially considering that he's not even using his hands.
Keeping the Blood Flow Going
It’s really important to keep the blood flow consistent when on a flight, especially a long one. There are certain tricks to keep the circulation strong, such as drinking lots of water, taking regular strolls down the aisle, and even doing ankle circles. Clearly, these small exercises weren’t enough for this guy.
After a couple of hours of being seated, this gent found some space, dropped to the floor and did some press-ups. In doing so, he took over the area that the cabin crew used to perform their duties, so we doubt he got too comfortable.
Getting Rid of an Unpleasant Odor
Those pesky air vents can be very annoying when the cabin crew blasts the air conditioner too strong. But this guy decided to make the most of the airflow. We can only assume that his shoes harbored the same bad smell that so many passengers struggle with. But rather than keep the issue to himself, he made it everyone else’s problem.
Knowing that his shoes smell bad, this guy used his seat’s air conditioner to blow the odor out of his shoes, and give them a fresh smell. In the process, he blew the scent directly into the shared air space.
A Special Way to Stay Safe
Bubble boy, the 2001 rom-com, gives a hilarious version of someone going to extremes to stay safe from germs. Unfortunately, being trapped in a plane with hundreds of other people is not exactly the most sanitary environment. But this woman came prepared!
We’d like to think that a simple mask could do a world of wonders, but this lady wasn’t taking any chances. Deciding to wrap herself in a plastic bag to stay safe from germs, it would appear that she’s put herself at risk in a different way - suffocation.
Not All Dolls Were Made for the Purpose of Consolation
A child’s doll can be their comfort and solace during a time of fear, and it can be a form of entertainment during dull moments. It makes sense that a child with a fear of flying would have their ragdoll packed into hand luggage.
But while most dolls have painted smiles and a soft form, this Chuckie doll looks as though it’s crept out of the horror film series Child’s Play. The last thing that you want to happen is to be trapped on a flight with this serial killer doll.
You’ll Hear It Before You See It
The sound of nail clippers is enough to turn anyone into a tizzy. If the thought of slithers of dirty toenails falling to the ground doesn’t rub you up the wrong way, then the methodical “click-click-click” will surely drive you insane.
Luckily, most of us don’t need to deal with listening to other people’s toenail-clipping endeavors. But this person thought it would be appropriate to trim their toes on a confined plane. This is both annoying and disgusting. All we can do is hope that she at least picks up the clippings.
Multiple Screens But Only One Tray
It’s no secret that space is incredibly limited on a plane. Unless you have a plush bank account and can afford to pay for business class, then you’re left with a measly space that is only just big enough to sit. But this passenger was adamant about making the most of his space - and even taking some of his neighbor’s space.
Lots of people decide to catch up on work during a flight, giving the food tray a useful second purpose as a laptop desk. But this passenger also wanted to get his entertainment fix in the form of the western comedy classic Blazing Saddles. His solution? Setting up a second screen on his neighboring passenger’s fold-out table. We hope he asked permission first.
Dreading the Appearance of Someone Else’s Locks
There are rumors about the hygiene of dreadlocks. While most dreadlocks are sanitary when following the proper cleaning processes, there is still a stigma attached to the matted hairstyle. So, you can only imagine how unimpressed this person was when these dreadlocks fell into his personal space.
This hairstyle is quite fascinating and can be appreciated from afar. But whether you admire the dedication that goes into growing this hairdo, there comes a time when you feel that it’s too close for comfort. This is one of those moments.
A Flexible Older Lady
Truth be told, if we could actually get into this position with ease, we may actually try it out on the next flight. If you’ve ever experienced the discomfort of sitting on a plane for hours on end, trying to get some shut-eye, then you’ll understand this woman’s desperation for a few moments of comfort.
This couple is obviously very close and easy-going around one another. While the husband managed to fall asleep in a conventional position, his wife decided to stretch out a little bit, using her man as a prop. What a cute couple.
An Invasive Mop of Hair
Can you imagine breathing a sigh of relief as you nestle down in your seat, realizing that you don’t have an unsavory passenger sitting next to you, only to have someone flick their mop of hair over the chair a few moments later? How gross!
Not only is this inconsiderate person blocking the passenger’s television screen, but they’ve replaced their line of sight with badly-kept locks. It’s also quite a disgusting image to have to look at for the next couple of hours.
The Tallest Passenger on the Plane
Looking at the size of the huge cello that's boldly propped up in the middle of the row, you’d think that the passenger paid for the extra seat. Normally, luggage of abnormal size gets put into a separate section on the plane, but this cello was not going to be kept out of its owner's sight.
Having heard the various horror stories of how airlines mishandle precious belongings, it makes sense that this passenger has taken extra care. We hope that they remembered to put the seatbelt on.
Making the Most of the Exit Seat
Before a plane leaves the ground, the crew will brief the passengers on the emergency landing procedure. Those that are sitting in seats in line with the emergency exit will have an additional briefing to explain their responsibility.
This may unnerve certain passengers who ask to double-check that the doors are, indeed, locked. Other passengers, like this one, get overly comfortable and risk opening the door by using the handle as a prop for comfort. Luckily, the sign shows that the door handle opens in the opposite direction.
Perhaps His Hands Are Tied?
There are very few reasons that we can think of which would make it appropriate to play poker with your foot. In fact, there are no reasons at all. Either this passenger has no care for hygiene or they are incapable of using their hands.
While the games provided by the airlines, such as poker, have a lot of potential for entertainment, we don’t think that they anticipated people playing with their naked toes. Hopefully, the passenger wiped down the screen once they had their fun.
Hanging It Out to Dry
There’s a common saying about “airing out your dirty laundry”. While the phrase is a figurative one, these passengers have decided to hang out their wet laundry literally. Planes can get chilly at times and it’s not unusual for people to use various items of clothing to keep themselves warm. But these passengers took out their laundry for a different reason - to dry.
Perhaps they had to leave their home in a rush, without their clothing having an opportunity to dry before being packed in a bag. However, we hardly think that this is an excuse to hang them up to dry over the seats of the plane. Especially the knickers that should never be showcased in public.
A Dirty and Unexpected Surprise
Everyone has their horror stories of unfortunate experiences on a flight. But this one may take the cake. As if seeing someone’s feet on your armrest is not enough, this person’s feet are absolutely filthy. It looks as though the intrusive passenger has walked a couple of miles through a muddy farm.
We can’t help but wonder what sort of rancid smell accompanies this individual’s dirty appendages, or what sort of grime sits between their toes. Well done to this person for exposing them.
And the Plane Didn’t Even Flip
You'd think that the only time anyone would ever really be upside down on a plane is during a stunt flight. But not this guy! This person probably annoyed passengers purely out of jealousy. How on earth did he manage to turn his world completely upside down?
At the end of the day, if they are keeping to their own personal space and not intruding on anyone else, then there’s no harm done. Clearly it rubbed a few up the wrong way as someone took a snap and it has been added to this list.
A Neat, and Inconsiderate, Arrangement
Anyone who has ever been one of the last people to board a plane will know the struggle of finding space in the overhead compartment for your hand luggage. The sacred space fills up pretty quickly. However, this lady didn’t have a concern before laying out her belongings.
Not only has this woman decided to arrange the overhead compartment to be her own personal wardrobe, but she has done so in a rather dangerous way. Chances are that when she opens the compartment after landing, her belongings won’t be laid out as neatly. We can only hope that she doesn’t take a heel to the face.