Mom Fights Back After Airline Employee Publicly Mocks Her Young Daughter
November 29, 2018

[featured_content]
When an airline employee mocked a 5-year-old girl publicly, the girl's mom, Traci Redford, could hardly believe it. But when she found out the same employee had taken to mocking her daughter online as well, she'd really had enough!
As parents, we try to teach our kids to treat others the way we'd like to be treated. Sadly, though, plenty of adults struggle with this notion themselves. And Texas mom Traci Redford found herself forced to explain that to her 5-year-old daughter when an airline employee displayed downright rude and childish behavior toward the girl.
RELATED: Rude Strangers Laughed At Moles Caused By Her Son’s Rare Condition
Traci's daughter has an unusual name. Pronounced "ab-city," the precious girl's name is spelled Abcde. And sure, you might expect the unique name to raise a few eyebrows. But how the gate agent checking Traci's and Abcde's tickets reacted is completely inappropriate.
Airline Employee Mocked 5-Year-Old's Name
For Abcde, there's nothing strange about her name. It's the name she's always known. And because this sweet girl lives with epilepsy, she and Traci always pre-board the plane.
The pair was flying home to El Paso from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California when Abcde's name prompted a rather uncouth reaction from a Southwest Airline attendant.
"The gate agent started laughing, pointing at me and my daughter, talking to other employees," Traci recalled.
The Texas mom couldn't believe the employee's behavior. But she handled the aggravating situation with grace.
"I turned around and said, 'Hey if I can hear you, my daughter can hear you, so I'd appreciate if you'd just stop,'" Traci Redford explained.
RELATED: 10-Year-Old Boy Gets Bullied Over A Lunch Box (But This Man Knew Just What To Do)
It's an unfortunate experience. Especially given the fact that Abcde is a child, trying to comprehend why an adult would act in such a way.
"She said 'Mom, why is she laughing at my name?'" Traci recalled. "And I said, 'Not everyone is nice and not everyone is going to be nice and it's unfortunate.'"
The Texas mom used the moment as a life lesson for Abcde. But sadly, the mocking didn't stop there.
Airline Employee Continues Ridicule Online
Surely, Traci must have hoped the ordeal was over. But then someone on Facebook notified her. The cruelty toward her daughter's name continued online!
In a gross violation of privacy, the airline employee snapped a photo of the girl's boarding pass and shared it on social media.
Credit: Youtube/ABC 13 Eyewitness News"While I was sitting there, she took a picture of my boarding pass and chose to post it on social media, mocking my daughter. It was actually brought to my attention by somebody who had seen it on Facebook and reported it to Southwest Airlines. And after two weeks of doing a formal complaint, Southwest hadn't done anything," Traci Redford said.
That's when the Texas mom realized things had gone too far and it was time to fight back. Since getting so much attention, Southwest Airlines has since addressed the problem and issued an apology to Traci and Abcde:
"We extend our sincere apology to the family. We take great pride in extending our Southwest Hospitality to all of our Customers, which includes living by the Golden Rule and treating every individual with respect, in person or online. The post is not indicative of the care, respect, and civility we expect from all of our Employees. We have followed up with the Employee involved, and while we do not disclose personnel actions publicly, we are using this as an opportunity to reinforce our policies and emphasize our expectations for all Employees."
What a shame poor Abcde had to experience this. But what a great lesson her mom gave in turning the other cheek.
"So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." Romans 14:12-13
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mom Overhears 3 Girls Gossiping, Then Drops Them A Note On Kindness
Today's Devotional
A Prayer of Blessing and Strength for Fathers - Your Daily Prayer - June 13
Dads, you matter more than you know—here’s a heartfelt prayer to strengthen and encourage you in the role God’s given you.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer of Blessing and Strength for Fathers - Your Daily Prayer - June 13
Dads, you matter more than you know—here’s a heartfelt prayer to strengthen and encourage you in the role God’s given you.
Past Stories
- 4-Year-Old Called a Hero After Teacher Collapses at Daycare, and She Knows Exactly What to Do
- After 100-Mile Journey, Including a Swim, Missing Golden Retriever Mix is Finally Back Home
- Life Delayed Her Dream, But Didn’t Deny it. At 88, She Became a Graduate, and Witness to God’s Timing
- Gary Sinise Opens Up About His Son’s Death and the Gift of Grandfatherhood
- Young Girl is Saved by Good Samaritan After Falling 15 Feet Into a Waterfall
- Retired Alaska State Trooper Helps Rescue Husband Pinned by 700-lb Boulder
- 9 Year Old Boy Saves Mom and Newborn Sister By Calling 911, 'My Mom Could Have Died'
- Police Escort Paralyzed Teen to Prom Years After Childhood Shooting
- Young Boy in Wheelchair Walks at His Kindergarten Graduation, Surprising His Family
- Woman Credits Her Faith After Tire Flies Through SUV Windshield in Near-Death Crash
- 98-Year-Old Twins Cherish Life, Love, and Faith While Living Next Door to One Another
- Airman Served in WW2, Now He is Finally Coming Home 81 Years After He Died
- Teens Are Heroes After Saving Family From Fire On Their Prom Night
- She Survived 3 Weeks Lost in the Wild, Fighting Off Animals and Snowstorms
- Triplets Graduate From Texas Tech Together, All Earning Degrees in Media and Communication
- She Lost Her Son's Baby Book, But It Was Returned to Her at the Right Moment
- Man and His Dog Reunited After Being Hit by Drunk Driver
- Nurse With Caring Spirit Says Yes to Dying Mother's Wish For Her Son, and It's Beautiful
- She Never Told Her Friends She Was the School Mascot, Then Shares Her Secret at Graduation
- Mom Donates Kidney to Daughter, Now They’re Graduating Nursing School Together
- Grieving Son Finds Kindness When Trying to Print a Photo of His Mother Who Just Passed Away
- Nebraska Mom Raised Concerns About Husband's Mental Health Before Tragic Murder-Suicide
- Brothers Discover 1976 Message in a Bottle, Then Find the Man Who Wrote It
- California High School Discovers They Have 14 Sets of Twins in Their Graduating Class
- Paralyzed Pup Tyrion Finds New Life With a Doggie Wheelchair
- Autistic 8-Year-Old Boy Goes Missing, Found by Water Thanks to Quick Response
- Two Nurses Come to the Rescue of a Teen Girl in the Process of Being Kidnapped
- Brave Man Jumps Into Water to Save Woman After She Was Attacked By Bull Shark
- She Was Going to Miss Prom After Breaking Her Back at a Trampoline Park, the Hospital Had Other Plans
- Mom Finds Hope After Tragedy, Hears Her Daughter’s Heartbeat in a Child Who Got a Second Chance
- 90-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Has Saved Over 10,000 Animals, and She’s Still Not Slowing Down
- First Responders Rescue 9-Month-Old From House Fire By Going Through Window
- Playful Black Bear Climbs Playground and Rides the Slide, Just Like a Kid
- Singer Michael Bolton Opens Up About His Aggressive Brain Cancer Diagnosis
- Brave 5-Year-Old Climbs 35 Feet Up a Tree, Firefighters Rush to the Rescue
- Woman Finds Her Father After Almost 28 Years — And Learns the Truth About Why He Left
- Woman Saves Her Late Son’s Best Friend’s Mom With a Life-Changing Donation
- An Indie Bookstore Asked for Help, What Happened Next Will Warm Your Heart
- From Teen Sweethearts to 80 Years of Marriage: ‘God Was So Good to Give Him to Me’
- WWII Veteran Celebrates His 101st Birthday and 75 Years of Marriage to His Loving Wife
- 88-Year-Old Korean War Veteran and Great-Grandfather Graduates From College
- One Year After Losing Boys in a Fire, Parents Find Light in the Form of a Beautiful Blessing
- They Dress Up As Disney Princesses to Bring Joy and Hope to Sick Children, and it's Amazing
- This Couple Parents Triplets and Foster Sons from Wheelchairs, and It’ll Leave You Inspired
- Two-Year-Old is Found By Rancher's Dog After Walking 7 Miles From Home
- Couple Reunites 15-Year-Old Blind Dog With Owners After Finding Her in the Wilderness
- He Saved Her Life in a Pool Accident Five Years Ago, Now They Are Engaged
- Actress Chrissy Metz Left Hollywood For Nashville and She Couldn't Be Happier
- Stranger Helps 81-Year-Old Waitress Who Couldn't Afford to Retire, Now Her Prayers Have Been Answered
- 49-Year-Old Melanie Barratt Becomes First Blind Woman to Swim the English Channel
Top Artists
Top Music Videos

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Wows With 'God and Country' Live Performance

toby mac TobyMac's 'Nothin' Sweeter' Official Lyric Video

Jeremy Camp Jeremy Camp's Awe-Inspiring 'No Survivors' Live Performance

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin’s Powerful Live Rendition of ‘The First Hymn’ Will Stir Your Soul

Passion Music Passion's Soul-Stirring 'Agnus Dei' Live Performance
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.