Unifi ramp agents turn heroes during mid-air emergency

Eric Courtis and Robert Hancock are firefighter/paramedics from Jacksonville, Fla., who also work part-time as ramp agents for Unifi. The men have made several trips to Japan for snowboarding, but their latest excursion took an unexpected turn.

Eric and Robert were accompanied on this trip by their firefighter/paramedic friends Wade and Pavlous. The four men had a great time, but on their return journey, the Delta flight crew made an urgent announcement requesting medical assistance. Given their day jobs, Eric, Robert, Wade, and Pavlous stepped forward to assist.

According to Eric, the passenger needing aid was a woman who had lost consciousness and was unresponsive, with low blood pressure and a weak pulse. "We asked the flight crew permission to lay her down [a common practice when someone has low blood pressure] and began to evaluate her. There was a serious conversation also at that point with the pilot and flight crew about a possible diversion (flying back to Tokyo)," says Eric. "I was afraid it was not going well, and we would have to work a cardiac arrest up there."

Fortunately, laying her down helped noticeably. "She started becoming a little responsive, and one of the flight crew was able to communicate with the woman's daughter in Japanese and learn more about her medical history," says Eric. Based on that conversation, Eric and his friends determined no red flags regarding medical history. So, the decision was made for the four men to take shifts monitoring the woman's vitals and observe her throughout the flight.

"I was surprised by how much medical equipment they have on board – it's more than I ever thought," says Eric. But luckily, Eric and his friends didn't need to use it, and the woman remained stable for the rest of the flight.

When the flight landed in Atlanta, paramedics came on the flight and examined the woman again, and she was cleared to continue her journey to Jacksonville.

"I saw her at baggage claim when we arrived in Florida, and she was in a wheelchair. She hugged us and tried to thank us, and it was a nice moment, and we were happy we could help. There was a real possibility the flight would have turned around and returned to Tokyo if we weren't on board to step in."

Dedicated public servants Eric and Robert also enjoy the work they do for Unifi and, of course, the flight benefits that come with it. Although both men likely hope their future flights are far less eventful.