A traveler with a disability says she was left stranded and alone on an airport jet bridge after her United Airlines flight had already departed. In a TikTok video, the creator, known as Birdie with the handle @birdiecda, detailed the incident, stating she was “internationally stuck on the jet bridge with the plane closed all by myself, nowhere to sit, just waiting, hoping that they will bring somebody to come rescue me.”
The video, which has garnered significant attention, shows the woman speaking directly to the camera from what appears to be an airport jet bridge. According to the video’s creator, she begins the clip by expressing her disbelief, saying, “I don’t think you’re gonna believe this because I’m shaking because I’m not believing it.” She then offers a warning to other disabled travelers, stating, “If you’re flying United and you are disabled— disabled— you will need to make sure your reservation has your wheelchair all the way through.”
As she speaks, the footage appears to show her gesturing with her hands. The camera then pans to reveal the long, empty jet bridge with a blue-green carpeted floor and light-colored paneled walls. A window on one side shows a dark airport tarmac with distant lights. She points to the closed door at the end of the jet bridge, indicating the plane had left. The video concludes with her looking back at the camera, saying, “Do better, United. Come on.”
Video shows traveler alone in jet bridge after flight’s departure
The on-screen text overlaid on the video reads, “The on-screen text reads, “United locked me in the jet bridge, alone for 30 minutes waiting for a wheelchair wtf @unitedairlines.”” The video’s caption includes the hashtags #unitedairlines, #disability, #travel, #traveltiktok, and #airport. In the clip, the woman emphasizes her disability by briefly showing her hands on what appear to be the armrests of a wheelchair, though the chair itself is mostly out of frame.
Her account describes a situation where she was unable to board her flight and was subsequently left in the jet bridge alone. She stated she was “waiting, hoping that they will bring somebody to come rescue me.” The video shows her alone in the jet bridge after the aircraft had departed.
The incident, as presented in the video, raises questions about the procedures for assisting passengers with disabilities during boarding and deplaning. Her direct address to United Airlines, “Do better, United. Come on,” was a central part of her message in the clip.
Comments on the video highlight concerns over airline protocols
The video prompted numerous comments from viewers, many of whom identified themselves as current or former airline and airport workers. These commenters expressed concern that the situation described violated standard operating procedures. One user, claiming to be an ex-airport worker, commented, “hey! ex airport worker here, its VERY illegal to leave you alone in the jetbridge like that! I would file a DOT complaint and talk to United!!”
Another commenter, who identified as a flight attendant, wrote, “As a flight attendant that’s a major no no omg I’m so sorry.” A third commenter, also claiming airline experience, stated, “Crew CANNOT leave you there. It’s part of their job description so in the past a pilot would roll you up to the gate until the airport wheelchair assistance shows up. If they can’t, they can’t leave the plane there.”
Other viewers focused on the potential danger of the situation and suggested legal action. One comment read, “That’s insane, imagine if they started to pull the bridge in.” Another simply advised, “HIRE AN ATTORNEY AND SUE.” A comment with a more casual tone suggested, “Mama you’re about to be riiiiiiiiiich (this is bs please sue for as much as you can).”
The comments section became a forum for discussing the responsibilities of airlines toward passengers with disabilities. The experiences and opinions shared by viewers added context to the traveler’s personal account of the incident. United Airlines has not publicly commented on the specific incident shown in the video as of this report. The discussion of crew responsibilities extends to positive interactions as well, such as when a Delta flight attendant asked passengers to write seat numbers on treats they bring for the crew.
