Note: This story, originally reported in May 2018, is being republished.
Savannah Phillips was aboard a United Airlines flight from Oklahoma to Chicago on Monday when she found herself seated next to a man she described as “in his 60s with yellow sunglasses who claimed to be a comedian.”
Taking to her Facebook page, she wrote: “As soon as I was buckled in, he sat back down… his phone was about 12 inches from my face and he proceeded to text someone that he was sitting next to a ‘smelly fatty.'”
“I turned my head away as fast as I could. I was shocked—it felt like confirmation of the negative things I think about myself daily. Soon, I could feel hot, salty tears running down my face.”
Phillips recounted to NewsChannel 5 that another passenger across the aisle had also seen the offensive text.
“He tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘I need to talk to you.’ The guy took his earphones out, turned around, and he said, ‘We’re switching seats right now.'”
The intervening passenger informed the comedian that he would not tolerate such offensive behavior, prompting an immediate seat switch.
“When he sat down, he saw me crying and asked why. He told me not to let it get to me and started making small talk, which made me feel better.”
Phillips later discovered that her supporter was Chase Irwin, a manager at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in Nashville.
Irwin had taken a photo of the man and posted it on Snapchat with the caption: “This guy, probably mid-50s, just texted his wife that he is sitting next to a smelly fatty and was about to vomit.”
Upon not knowing Irwin’s name, Phillips posted on Facebook seeking help to identify the good Samaritan.
Irwin emphasized that he didn’t intervene for publicity, stating, “I was going to wait until the end of the flight to say something, but I could not have this guy sit next to her this whole flight and her thinking he’s making fun of her.”
He added, “It really gets to me deep down when I see someone crying. When I saw her crying, it really hit me hard and actually got me sick to my stomach.”
When the man asked why Irwin wanted to swap seats, Irwin responded, “Because you’re a heartless person. I read your text, and the girl next to you crying also read your text. You should really take into consideration other people’s feelings.”
Phillips expressed her gratitude, saying, “I was so blessed and happy he was there. I hope it sets a good example for others for what they should do in situations like that and to stick up for people when they need help.”
“The flight attendant kept trying to give him free drinks and told him that he was her hero,” Phillips recalled. “He wasn’t her hero—he was mine.”
“I do feel a little more beautiful today,” she added.
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Sources: Daily Mail
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