Catch of the Year? Flight attendant springs into action as baby slips from mom's lap
The United flight left Newark and was headed to Michigan.
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Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear wings and perform acts of kindness at 30,000 feet.
A flight attendant is being praised for her quick reflexes and kindness after she caught a baby that was about to slide off the lap of a mother who fell asleep on a flight from Newark to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A viral photo posted on Instagram by frequent traveler John Frehse of Ankura Consulting shows flight attendant Monique Harris holding the baby during the flight.
"United should be very proud. Monique was my flight attendant on UA3486 from EWR to GRR. A new (and exhausted) mother fell asleep and her baby was about to fall out of her lap. Monique sprung into action and caught the child. She then told the mother to go back to sleep — she would give her a break. All is not lost in the turbulent time," Frehse said in the caption.
The post has generated more than 172,000 likes and over 1,200 comments and reposts from social media users praising Harris, an employee of Republic Airways, for her actions as well as for the compassion she showed the new mother. In one of the comments, Republic Airways weighed in to express their appreciation as well.
"Such a great story! We are proud to have Monique on our team," the airline said. United Airlines also posted a happy, teary-eyed emoji below the photo.
Frehse said he's flown more than 2 million miles with United and he's never witnessed anything like this.
"I fly a lot and she was the greatest flight attendant I have experienced in 30 years," Frehse told News 12.
Harris, who also commented on the social media post, said she didn't help the passenger for attention. She thanked Frehse for posting and said she was just being herself.
"I'm in tears. I appreciate all of the love and acknowledgments. To God be all the glory!!! God is my witness I never do anything for recognition. I had no idea that being my normal, natural self would grow into such a priceless moment," she wrote. "Thank you for sharing and for all of the comments!"
