Delta passengers rushed to evacuate during an emergency — one man's repeated warning to fellow travelers earned praise from a flight attendant
During an emergency, every second matters, and the decisions people make can affect everyone around them. When a Delta flight had to be evacuated on August 8, 2026, one passenger named Eric Slaughter did more than follow the flight attendants’ instructions. On August 16, 2026, flight attendant Aimee, who goes by @oneaveragegal, shared a video of the evacuation on Instagram, praising Slaughter for what he did as he headed toward the exit.
In the evacuation video that Aimee reacted to, passengers can be seen making their way toward the exits. What caught her attention was Slaughter, who could be heard urging those around him to leave their belongings behind rather than waste precious time collecting their bags. "You should just leave your bag," he told one passenger, as others moved toward the evacuation slide. He also pointed people to the exit, repeating the message. Aimee was so delighted by Slaughter's actions that she took to Instagram to thank him. She said, "Eric, my man, on behalf of all flight attendants in the entire world, I want to say thank you."
She praised him for staying calm and helping others follow the crew's instructions during the evacuation. She also said that Slaughter's efforts helped set an example for other passengers, who began reminding those around them to leave their belongings behind as well. According to Aimee, the passengers followed instructions, used the evacuation slide, and exited the plane without taking their bags. Aimee was so grateful for his cooperation that she encouraged other flight attendants to show their appreciation, too. "I hope that every flight attendant who sees this is willing to share and thank you personally as well," she said, before calling Slaughter "the MVP of airline passengers."
Slaughter's actions also won the hearts of people online. One viewer, @shipp_wrecked1, was particularly firm about passengers who ignore instructions during emergencies, writing, "People who take their bag during an emergency should be put on the no-fly list." Another person, @peggydavis4191, said, "I was concerned about how slowly they were moving." Meanwhile, @hannahsmomndad mentioned, "Thanks, Eric. You make our jobs easier and safer."
Some passengers go beyond simply looking out for themselves during an emergency and take steps to help the people around them, as another plane evacuation showed. When an Air Canada flight collided with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport, a passenger named Rebecca Liquori helped open an emergency exit alongside another woman, allowing people to get out. She also gave her napkin to a bleeding man before opening the exit door. Like Slaughter, Liquori stepped up when it mattered, showing how passengers can make a difference by helping others during a frightening situation.
For more of stories, follow @oneaveragegal on Instagram.