For many, flying is synonymous with exciting vacations and memorable adventures. But for some, the experience can be anything but pleasant.
Sheila Frederick, aged 49, is a seasoned Alaska Airlines flight attendant, with over 15 years of experience under her belt. She’s seen her fair share of tricky situations, but nothing could have prepared her for the life-changing event on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco.
During the journey, something unusual caught Sheila’s eye – a young blonde girl in worn-out clothes sitting next to an older man dressed sharply. When Sheila walked past them, she noticed the girl’s penetrating gaze, which filled her with an immediate sense of urgency.
“I had a pretty odd impression of this girl. I sensed that there was a problem. The fact that the girl was so badly dressed in comparison to the male was the first indication,” Sheila recalled, thinking to herself how the disparity was too stark to ignore.
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Sheila approached the pair. The man became defensive while the young girl stayed silent.
“At first, I sensed that something was off. He was much more mature than the girl sitting next to him, and he reacted violently to any movement around him. I’m happy I was able to intervene quickly and save a life,” Sheila reflected.
Sheila devised a new plan and left for a moment, returning with a strategy to check on the girl’s wellbeing. Following a visit to the restroom, she found a note left by the girl: “I need help.”
Acting immediately, Sheila alerted the authorities. When the plane landed, the police were prepared and waiting to apprehend the man.
It was later discovered that the 14-year-old girl was a victim of human trafficking, abducted just two months before.
In light of these events, retired flight attendant Nancy Rivard founded Airline Ambassadors International, an organization dedicated to training flight attendants on how to recognize signs of human trafficking.
Following her discovery, Sheila underwent training with the organization to better equip herself in identifying and acting on potential trafficking situations in the future.
