I was a flight attendant at the time. We were on final approach, gear down, flaps out, just a few hundred feet from the runway,when this kid in the front row starts being loud as hell. Nonstop talking, weird noises, kicking the seat in front… just chaos.
His mom, visibly at her breaking point, leans over and says:
“If you don’t quiet down, the plane won’t be able to land.”
I tried not to laugh, but it was too good. The kid instantly froze. Eyes wide. Dead silent. I gave the mom a quick nod, like, “Nice one.” She smirked. Team effort.
But then, just as we’re seconds from touchdown, the kid starts acting up again, right as I suddenly hear the engines spool up, the nose pitch up, and feel that familiar surge of G-force. We were going around.
Turns out there was a plane still on the runway, and the flight crew had to abort the landing.
The timing was absolutely perfect. Without missing a beat, I leaned down and said, completely deadpan:
“Look what you did, you little jerk.”
Full Home Alone delivery.
The mom burst out laughing. A couple passengers near the front cracked up. But the kid l ooked like he just got personally blamed for diverting Air Traffic Control. He stared out the window in stunned silence for the rest of the flight like he was processing a felony.
After we landed, the mom told me it was hilarious and thanked me for playing along. But later, another passenger told me I was cruel and could’ve “seriously traumatized him.” They said I humiliated him and it wasn’t my place to say anything.
It was 100% a joke. The mom started it, and I just ran with the bit. But now I’m wondering if I crossed a line….
AITA?
TL;DR:
A kid was being loud on final approach. His mom told him the plane couldn’t land unless he was quiet. He calmed down… then got loud again right as we had to go around. I quoted Home Alone and told him, “Look what you did, you little jerk.” His mom laughed, but another passenger later said I was cruel. AITA?
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I was a flight attendant at the time. We were on final approach, gear down, flaps out, just a few hundred feet from the runway,when this kid in the front row starts being loud as hell. Nonstop talking, weird noises, kicking the seat in front… just chaos.
His mom, visibly at her breaking point, leans over and says:
“If you don’t quiet down, the plane won’t be able to land.”
I tried not to laugh, but it was too good. The kid instantly froze. Eyes wide. Dead silent. I gave the mom a quick nod, like, “Nice one.” She smirked. Team effort.
But then, just as we’re seconds from touchdown, the kid starts acting up again, right as I suddenly hear the engines spool up, the nose pitch up, and feel that familiar surge of G-force. We were going around.
Turns out there was a plane still on the runway, and the flight crew had to abort the landing.
The timing was absolutely perfect. Without missing a beat, I leaned down and said, completely deadpan:
“Look what you did, you little jerk.”
Full Home Alone delivery.
The mom burst out laughing. A couple passengers near the front cracked up. But the kid l ooked like he just got personally blamed for diverting Air Traffic Control. He stared out the window in stunned silence for the rest of the flight like he was processing a felony.
After we landed, the mom told me it was hilarious and thanked me for playing along. But later, another passenger told me I was cruel and could’ve “seriously traumatized him.” They said I humiliated him and it wasn’t my place to say anything.
It was 100% a joke. The mom started it, and I just ran with the bit. But now I’m wondering if I crossed a line….
AITA?
TL;DR:
A kid was being loud on final approach. His mom told him the plane couldn’t land unless he was quiet. He calmed down… then got loud again right as we had to go around. I quoted Home Alone and told him, “Look what you did, you little jerk.” His mom laughed, but another passenger later said I was cruel. AITA?
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I might be the asshole because, even though it was a joke and the mom was clearly playing along, I leaned into it in front of the kid during a pretty intense moment. He looked genuinely upset afterward, and maybe I went too far by piling on when he was already scared.
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA. Jerk was probably not needed but theres nothing overtly wrong with what you said, lowkey funny as hell
You’re all good. NTA at all!
I think you read the room correctly. NTA. Well played 😁
He’ll be alright. If mom wasn’t worried, you shouldn’t be either. Killer delivery though
NTA but kids can definitely be.
NTA
Not even the mother was offended over what you did there.
NTA 🤣 this is hilarious. The timing was so perfect.
Yep you’re definitely an AH.
NTA, that is hilarious. 😂
And if the mom burst out laughing…I think you’re good.
Take your cue from the parent, they’re the ones who know their kid best and will be dealing with any fallout. The mom has final say on how people should interact with her child in public – if she didn’t take offence, any strangers who do are overstepping.
NTA. Mum started it and you ran with it.
You witty bastard! Very well done!
NTA. You had mom’s blessing, and it can be helpful for kids to perceive that their actions have consequences.
NTA
I probably wouldn’t have called a stranger “jerk” but I wouldn’t say you traumatized anyone. At some point he’ll brag at about it to his friends. “Hey I once was so bratty that the plane couldn’t land”.
I literally heard the line repeated in the characters voice 😂😂😂
Amazing
Omg this is hysterical! 🤣🤣🤣 Bet that kid behaves himself on his next flight! NTA
Hahah, Home Alone.
The mom was fine with it, it was fine its the same thing as when parents tell kids that the car will stop if they un do their seatbelt on the hwy or something. Its fine
Are you quoting Home Alone? Is this a real story?
NTA. This had me cracking up.
Isn’t that a line from Home Alone?
YTA and mom is an asshole. Lying to kids (or anyone) is not OK. It’s also stupid, the kid will one day realize his mom is not trustworthy and when it really matters he won’t trust her.
The kid is obviously upset about something, so mom should figure out what’s going and sooth him instead of lying.
If mom dug the joke then it was a good joke. NTA.
Mild YTA there would be a high probability that the parent didn’t see home alone it’s a 35 year old movie, or just wouldn’t find it funny. So high risk.
You also didn’t include you telling the kid it was a just a joke and he didn’t cause the plane to turnaround after you landed.
It’s also hilarious and would have laughed if you said it to my kid.
You missed writing that the whole plane clapped when you said that, 3/10
The parents opinion is the only one that matters in this circumstance….. I would have told that woman “oh so I guess you believe it’s okay for children to misbehave and be disrespectful to their parents in a public setting” then I would ghost.
NTA, i burst out laughing in a waiting room.
Thanks you jerk 😂
NTA
It’s not your fault you saw the perfect comic timing opportunity and took it.
NTA. I’d have served BOTH the mom and the kid a couple of vodkas.
NTA the mom didn’t care and she laughed! the other passenger can kick rocks
I meeeean… You’re kinda the AH but also kinda not.
As a professional, you shouldn’t say those things to kids. The only thing that doesn’t make you 100% the AH here is that the mom seemed okay with it.
NTA. The mom was playing right along with you. I’m a mom and I laughed. Hard. 😂
YTA. Jerk was uncalled for.
All I can hear is the uncle from Home Alone saying “look what you did you little jerk” after Kevin knocked over the soda 🤣🤣
NTA. If the mom herself was cool with it, then it was fine. Wasn’t that other passenger’s place to come and give you a talking-to like they had any say. I would have said, “Oh I’m so sorry it bothered you, but it was a joke between me and the mom. The mother said there was no harm done, so the issue has already been resolved. Thank you very much for your concern though, I’m sure that little boy is thankful to have strangers standing up for him.” If I said it nicely enough, they might not even notice the little jab with the word “stranger” lmao