Talk about being at the right place, at the time.
An Army veteran and grandmother from Georgia is being hailed a hero today after stopping and subduing a dangerous passenger who attempted to storm the cockpit on a recent Delta Airlines flight.
The incident occurred July 16 when Nicole Pruitt was flying from Atlanta, Georgia, to Tucson, Arizona, to meet her new grandson.
According to Pruitt, nearly 20 minutes into the trip, a female flyer attempted to access the cockpit and the plane’s main entrance.
Pruitt said that the unruly passenger was screaming nonsense saying that she was being told God “wanted” her to do it.
“She didn’t want to be on the plane anymore,” Pruitt, a 26-year Army veteran, recalled.
“She said God told her to do it. She had a calling.”
That’s when Pruitt sprung into action.
“I’m, like, ‘Wait a minute … Not today,’” Pruitt said , who helped detain the mile-high hellion as the aircraft began to turn around.
“Nobody else was doing nothing, so I just knew I had to do something,” Pruitt told media outlets while recounting her heroic act.
Now viral footage of the aftermath of the struggle shows the passenger lying facedown on the ground with her hands tied behind her back as Pruitt stands by.
“I will whoop her a–,” Pruitt said while returning to her seat.
Check it out —
@amorfatitestlab We now have some video footage from @delta flight 1042 Which departed from Atlanta, destined for Tucson had to be diverted because of a passenger storming and attempting to gain access to the cockpit door as well as opening the planes emergency exit doors. She was able to bypass flight attendants and make her way to the front. Thanks to @Nicky my mom, who was sitting in first class in the window seat so bravely decided to take action and defend herself and others on the plane. With her heroic effort and the help of a handful of good citizens on the plane they were able to successfully and SAFELY divert back to Atlanta and handle this situation on ground. Big shoutout to my mom from preventing a potential tragedy. #delta #flight #emergencylanding ♬ original sound – AmorFatiTestLab
While recounting her story, Pruitt said she was determined not to let the disruption prevent her from visiting her family.
“I’ve got to make it home to my kids, my children, my grandchildren,” Pruitt said.
Pruitt’s son, Tyrique Perry, who was waiting for her in Tucson, said he was “not surprised” that his mom came to the rescue.
“Sometimes, it’s just a natural instinct and you’ve got to get it done,” declared Perry, who uploaded the aforementioned clip on TikTok so viewers could witness his mother’s good deed.
TikTok users quickly praised Pruitt’s heroics.
“This woman is a hero,” declared one admirer, while another wrote, “Thank you, Queen Nikki.”
Others urged Delta to reward Pruitt for her courageous act. “Bless this woman and what she did for everyone on that flight!!” said one. “Delta step up and take care of her ForEva!!!!”
Another wrote, “Delta needs to have this woman fly free for life! first class.”
Delta addressed the scary incident in a statement.
“Delta sincerely appreciates the actions of our crew and customers for de-escalating this situation,” airline reps said.
“We apologize to our customers for the delay and thank them for their understanding.”