Calls Crew Of Flight 1380 'Heroes' For Their Actions

President Donald Trump welcomed five Southwest Airlines cockpit and cabin crew members as well as three passengers who were aboard Flight 1380 to the Oval Office Tuesday, heaping praise on the pilots, flight attendants, and those who helped prevent a passenger from being pulled from the plane as it decompressed and attempted to save her life.

USA Today reports that Captain Tammie Jo Shults, First Officer Darren Ellisor and three flight attendants were praised by Trump for their "bravery and compassion" during the incident. "They said you were calm and strong and cool" during the harrowing flight, Trump said. "So thank you very much."

The passenger who was nearly pulled from the plane during the decompression was Jennifer Riordan of Albuquerque. Three passengers who tried ... sadly unsuccessfully ... to revive her following the incident were also invited to the meeting. Firefighter Andrew Needum and fellow Texan Tim McGinty, a real estate agent were the passengers who prevented Riordan from being pulled completely out of the plane, while retired nurse Peggy Phillips helped administer CPR until the plane landed in Philadelphia. "While there was nothing else they could do, these Americans responded with tremendous bravery," Trump said.

While many of the passengers have lauded the flight crew for their actions following the uncontained engine failure, some have begun legal action against the airline, according to the report. Southwest declined to comment on pending litigation.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report