Frequent flyers should be cautious around overly friendly seatmates.
An elderly woman sat beside me and asked for help with her carry-on. A man across the aisle quickly assisted. (I’m not tall, and I avoid the overhead bins if possible.)
She immediately started a conversation. She was polite and well-spoken, and we chatted the whole flight to Dubai.
Suddenly, as we began our descent into DXB, my new friend claimed to have stomach pains. Being helpful, I alerted the stewardess. The woman then started calling me “my daughter.”
The stewardess offered painkillers and said we’d have to wait until we landed. The pilot announced a medical emergency, asking everyone to remain calm. My new friend was crying, sweating, and wouldn’t let go of my hand. Everyone assumed we knew each other.
At DXB, the same man who helped with her luggage removed it. He advised me to distance myself and tell the crew we weren’t together. He was a lifesaver!
The crew asked if we were related, and I said we’d just met. As I said goodbye, she begged me to carry her handbag. I was torn, but the man gave me a look and shook his head. He handed me a note telling me to let the crew handle her.
I left the plane, feeling guilty, leaving my “new friend” to wait for a wheelchair.
While waiting for our luggage, I heard a commotion. My “new friend” had escaped the wheelchair and was running towards the exit with her hand luggage! The airport police caught her and brought her back in handcuffs.
She started yelling, “My daughter! How could you do this to me?” That’s when I realized she was carrying drugs and trying to implicate me!
Luckily, the man who helped with her luggage told the police we’d just met. The police took my passport and asked her to reveal my full name if we were traveling together. Thankfully, I hadn’t even told her my first name! I was taken for questioning, and my luggage was searched for fingerprints.
My fingerprints weren’t found on her luggage or handbag.
I was released with a warning never to touch anyone’s luggage. From that day on, I refuse to help with luggage. It’s your problem. If you can’t reach the overhead bin, call the crew. I’ll just stare blankly and look away.
A cautionary tale for air travelers.