“Does passenger being moved have to consent?”
“Officially?”
Adrian stared.
“That is the only kind of answer I want.”
“Yes.”
“And unofficially?”
Meredith looked toward the curtain.
Thomas said:
“Tell him.”
She exhaled.
“We're told not to use the word downgrade.”
“What are you told?”
“Operational adjustment.”
“Reason?”
“Could be weight distribution.”
“Aircraft change.”
“Seat malfunction.”
“Anything plausible.”
Thomas swore under his breath.
Adrian asked:
“Who trained you?”
“Station manager.”
“Name.”
“Douglas Bell.”
“Who trained him?”
“I don't know.”
“How often have you used ER-9?”
Meredith looked down.
“Six or seven times.”
“On this route?”
“Across routes.”
“How many passengers refused?”
“Most complain.”
“That wasn't the question.”
She swallowed.
“Three.”
“What happens if they refuse?”
“Supervisor handles it.”
“How?”
“Usually points.”
“Voucher.”
“Sometimes threat of removal for failing crew instructions.”
Thomas stared.
“What?”
Meredith’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
“No.”
Thomas said.
“You don't get to say ‘I know’ like this is some bad memo.”
“You threatened passengers with removal for refusing unauthorized downgrades?”
“I didn't write policy.”
Adrian spoke before Thomas could continue.
“But you enforced it.”
Meredith looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Silence.
Then:
“Because the last flight attendant who refused a VIP override got written up.”
Adrian's anger shifted direction.
“Who?”
“Shannon Lee.”
“When?”
“March.”
“What route?”
“Dallas to Seattle.”
Adrian knew one of the complaints.
A woman named Gabrielle Turner had been moved from 1C to 18F.
She said the lead flight attendant whispered, “I agree with you, but I cannot win this.”
Maybe Shannon.
“Where is she now?”
“Transferred to Phoenix.”
“Voluntarily?”
Meredith laughed bitterly.
“No.”
Adrian looked at Thomas.
The captain’s face was hard.
“Did pilots know?”
Thomas asked.
“Not details.”
Meredith said.
“Usually happens before cockpit is involved.”
Thomas looked ashamed anyway.
Adrian understood.
Responsibility is contagious in organizations.
Sometimes deserved.
Sometimes not.
“Why did you ignore my boarding pass?”
he asked.
Meredith's eyes filled further.
“I saw you.”
He waited.
She continued.
“I saw the hoodie.”
“I saw Mrs. Caldwell.”
“I knew the flag.”
“I thought…”