Veteran Grandma Foils Cockpit Rush on Delta Flight: “Not on My Watch”
A military-trained grandmother from Georgia is being celebrated nationwide after bravely stepping in to stop a passenger from forcing her way into the cockpit during a Delta flight.
Nicole Pruitt, a 26-year Army veteran, was on a July 16 flight from Atlanta to Tucson when a disruptive female passenger allegedly attempted to breach the cockpit and emergency exit door, claiming she was following a divine command.
Pruitt, who was traveling to Arizona to meet her newborn grandson for the first time, told 13 News that she acted purely on instinct when she saw the chaos unfolding. “Nobody else moved, so I did,” she said.
The mid-air drama was captured in a TikTok video that has since gone viral, showing the suspect restrained in the aisle with her hands tied while Pruitt stands calmly nearby, keeping a watchful eye.
“She said God told her to do it,” Pruitt recalled. “But I told myself, ‘Not today.’”
With years of military discipline behind her, Pruitt wasted no time stepping in to subdue the woman and assist the crew in keeping the situation from spiraling. The pilot made preparations to return to Atlanta as passengers worked to ensure everyone’s safety.
Even as the tension eased, Pruitt made her intentions clear with a bold remark: “I will whoop her a–,” she said as she took her seat again, now a clear hero among the passengers.
Reflecting on the experience, Pruitt admitted that her family was her driving force. “I’ve got to make it home to my kids, my grandchildren,” she shared.
Her son, Tyrique Perry, who had been eagerly awaiting her arrival in Tucson, wasn’t surprised by his mother’s bravery. “She’s always been about getting the job done,” he said. Perry uploaded the footage to TikTok, where it quickly gained traction and praise from viewers across the country.
“Give this woman a medal!” one comment read. “Queen Nikki, thank you!” said another. Dozens more called on Delta to reward her for her courageous actions, with many suggesting she be granted lifetime first-class flights.
“Delta, step up for this woman!” one user urged. “She saved everyone onboard.”
The airline released a statement acknowledging the event and offering thanks. “We are grateful to the crew and passengers who helped manage this incident,” a Delta spokesperson said. “We regret the delay and appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding.”
Thanks to one quick-thinking grandmother with military training and a fearless attitude, what could have been a terrifying crisis ended safely — and with one new grandson getting to meet his brave grandma.