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This story was shared by a passenger on a 7-hour flight who made a new ‘friend’ but was nearly duped into becoming a drug mule. Here’s how it happened:
I was flying from KLIA to Dubai when this older blonde lady came and sat next to me inside the plane. She asked me to help her put her bag in the overhead luggage compartment.
I am not very tall and the overhead luggage compartment is something I try to avoid at all costs. Before I could say no, a tall gentleman sitting across quickly stood up and helped her.
Immediately, she sat down and struck up a conversation. She was very pleasant and well-spoken.
We chatted all through the flight to Dubai, about places we’ve visited, foods we’ve tried, and sorts of fun topics. I took a shine to her and we exchanged numbers.
My new ‘friend’ suddenly fell ill just before landing
After around 7 hours, the pilot announced that we were now beginning our descent into Dubai International Airport.
Suddenly, my newfound friend ‘developed’ stomach pains. Worried for her health, I pressed the assistance button for help.
I told the air stewardess my seat mate was not feeling well. She asked the lady if she needed some medication or to use the restroom.
The lady replied, “I’m alright, my daughter will take care of me.”
I was confused that she had addressed me as her ‘daughter’, but I let it slide.
Perhaps it was her idea of a pet name for me, or perhaps she called all young women her daughters?
In any case, the stewardess told me that there was nothing they could do except give her some painkillers and wait until we landed.
My new ‘friend’ asked me to hold her handbag
A few minutes later, the pilot announced that we had a medical emergency on board and advised us all to stay calm.
At this point, my new friend was crying out in pain and starting to sweat profusely. I sat beside her, trying to comfort her. All the while, she refused to let go of my hand.
For any onlooker on the plane, we probably looked just like mother and daughter!
We landed in DXB while she was still crying out loud enough for the whole cabin to her. Everyone looked concerned and worried for the poor old lady.
As the plane came to a stop, the cabin crew brought out a wheelchair for her to be deplaned.
The lady looked me in the eye and said, “My dear child, I’m very afraid. I have to get to the hospital, but I’m not sure I’ll make it. Can you take my handbag to my son? He’s waiting for me at the airport.”
At that moment, I just could find the heart to say no, she was so frail and helpless.
However, before I agreed, the same gentleman who helped put up her luggage in the overhead compartment came to my rescue.
As the cabin crew made their way down to us, this gentleman passed me a note, telling me to let the cabin crew handle her.
The note said: “Do not trust her. Tell the cabin crew you are not travelling with each other.”
Indeed, when the cabin crew came over, they asked me if I was related to the lady. I told them, “No, we met on the plane today. I don’t know her at all.”
As we began to deplane, I said a tearful goodbye to the lady as she was being put in the wheelchair.
All the while, she kept begging me to carry her handbag. I was so torn on what to do… After all, what harm could it be to carry her handbag?
But the gentleman looked me in the eye and emphatically shook his head.
So I left my ‘new friend’ to be escorted out by the cabin crew and exited the aircraft feeling very guilty.
My new ‘friend’ tried to make a run for it
A little while later, I was at the Baggage area waiting for my check-in luggage when I heard a huge commotion just ahead.
To my shock, I saw my ‘new friend’ was running and trying to escape the cabin crew, having gotten out of the wheelchair.
She had left the stewardess chasing after her with her handbag, and was running at full speed towards the nearest exit!
Luckily, airport security caught up with her within seconds. They subdued her and put her in handcuffs.
But as the police passed by me, the lady started calling out… to me!
“My daughter…my daughter! How could you do this to me?” She cried.
That’s when I caught on. She was carrying drugs and she was trying to implicate me!
The police marched over to me and questioned my relationship with this lady.
I explained that I didn’t know her and we weren’t related. They then demanded to see my passport.
Luckily for me, the gentleman who had helped her with her luggage came forward and told the airport police that she and I had just met on the plane.
The police asked both me and the gentleman to come with them. They brought me into a little room where I was questioned extensively.
“Where did you meet her? Where did you board the plane? Where did she board?” The police interrogated.
My passport was confiscated, my luggage was extensively searched for drugs, and my fingerprints were taken.
To my huge relief, they informed me that my fingerprints were not found anywhere on her luggage or on her handbag!
After hours of being questioned in that little room, I was finally let go. The police advised me never ever to touch anyone’s luggage, either in flight or at the airport.
From now on, I keep to my own luggage
So from now on, I don’t care how much luggage you have, you will have to deal with it yourself.
“Your luggage, your problem.” That’s my policy. I will not even offer you a trolley to put your luggage on!
And if you can’t reach the overhead compartment, please call the cabin crew because all I will do is give you a blank stare and then look away!
A lesson to glean therein for intending air travellers.
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Read also: I was Drugged and Mugged by A Vape Shop Employee in Subang Jaya
I was Drugged and Mugged by A Vape Shop Employee in Subang Jaya
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