When Compassion Takes the Lead: A Southwest Airlines® Employee’s Extraordinary Care
There are moments in this work that stay with us — not because everything went according to plan, but because someone chose to slow down, step in, and care deeply when it mattered most.
A few months ago, one of the survivors we served was traveling alone by plane. She had no identification. She was a first-time flyer. Airports, with their crowds, noise, and constant movement, already felt overwhelming — and heightened security requirements only added to the stress.
For survivors of trafficking, travel can be especially difficult. Many are unfamiliar with airports. Many are already operating in a heightened state of anxiety due to trauma. Being surrounded by authority figures, asked questions, or navigating unfamiliar systems can quickly become triggering.
On this day, time was tight. Her flight was approaching, and she was already nervous.
When her ride dropped her off at the wrong location, confusion and fear set in. She struggled to find the Southwest Airlines® counter and reached out for help, hoping someone would know what to do.
What happened next is something we don’t see often — and something we won’t forget.
A Southwest Airlines® employee noticed her distress and didn’t simply point her in the right direction. He walked with her.
He stayed by her side as she made her way through the airport, escorting her to TSA and helping her navigate each step when she couldn’t contact us herself. While she was going through security, he did something completely unexpected: he called Rescue America to let us know she was safe and still moving forward.
That update mattered more than he likely realized.
Usually, when a survivor enters the TSA, communication stops. We’re left waiting, hoping, and praying that everything goes smoothly. To receive a proactive call — to know someone was with her — brought immediate relief.
But the care didn’t stop there.
The process took longer than expected, and she missed her original flight. Instead of moving on, the Southwest Airlines® employee stayed engaged. He arranged for her to be placed on the next flight. Knowing she had no ID, he thoughtfully printed her boarding passes for both legs of her journey — anticipating the challenges she might face later.
He walked her to the gate. He ensured she wouldn’t be left alone or confused. He provided a meal voucher so she would have food during her layover, even though it wasn’t required. Every step reflected intention, foresight, and compassion.
This level of care wasn’t mandated. It wasn’t part of a checklist. It was a choice.
For survivors, moments like these can be transformational. Airports are often places where people rush past one another, focused on their own destinations. To have someone notice, slow down, and offer presence can turn a frightening experience into one marked by dignity and safety.
For Rescue America, this is what partnership looks like in real time.
We are a remote team. We rely on people on the ground — people willing to be present when we cannot physically be there. When someone steps into that role with empathy and initiative, it impacts not only logistics, but hearts.
Southwest Airlines® employees serve countless travelers every day. They can’t help everyone in this way — and yet this individual chose to help this person. His actions reflected the same heartbeat that drives our work: seeing the individual, honoring their humanity, and walking alongside them until they are safely on their way.
We are deeply grateful for moments like these — moments when compassion shows up unexpectedly and reminds us that care doesn’t always come from systems or protocols, but from people willing to say, You’re not alone.
If you or someone you know have been sexually exploited and want out of the life, please call Rescue America’s 24/7 Rescue hotline number at 833.599.FREE.
To report a trafficking tip, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.373.7888.
Save these numbers on your phone for later reference!
