Oregon Mom Goes Viral for Pizza Pick-Up During Flight Delay
An Oregon mother of four has captured attention online after she shared her clever strategy to dodge pricey airport meals during a flight delay. While some critics labeled her actions as “rude,” many supporters deemed them “genius.”
Ari Van de Graaf, who runs an Instagram page called Twin Passport Tales, posted a video showcasing her picking up two pizzas at Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford, Oregon. This video has since amassed over 13 million views.
Earlier this month, Van de Graaf was traveling to Mexico with her husband and their four kids—two sets of twins, Jimmy and Natalie, aged 11, and Sloan and Liv, aged 6—when they discovered their flight was delayed.
Food outlets at smaller airports can be quite limited, and Van de Graaf immediately disliked the idea of paying for six meals there. “Airport food is exorbitantly priced,” she remarked.
Then her husband chimed in with a suggestion.
“He said, ‘I have time, let’s order Domino’s,'” she recounted. Using the app, she managed to order the pizzas and track their journey to the gate.
Van de Graaf took two of her children with her, leaving her luggage with her husband. They then made their way back through security. “With TSA PreCheck, we thought we could make it quickly,” she said.
The pizza boxes squeaked through the conveyor belt without issues. “The TSA guy exclaimed, ‘I’m so jealous. You’re so clever,'” she recalled.
Before they knew it, the family boarded their flight, pizza in hand. “The kids had never eaten pizza on a plane before,” Van de Graaf mentioned, adding that they thought it was a fun experience.
One flight attendant expressed amazement, saying, “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s brilliant.”
Although many praised the move as a smart parenting hack, not everyone agreed. The viral video sparked discussions online, with some noting that the aroma of pizza could bother other passengers. One commenter stated, “Full-size pizza boxes can be unwieldy and create unnecessary inconvenience for crews.”
Another joined in, saying, “It’s incredibly inconsiderate to bring food like that onto a plane.” One flight attendant suggested that passengers should eat before boarding to avoid disruptions.
Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert from Florida, echoed these sentiments, advising travelers to think about the size of the items they bring aboard and how they would dispose of them. “Large pizza boxes can be a hassle for crew members,” she noted.
Nevertheless, Whitmore encouraged travelers to consider packing their own food, especially as airlines often offer limited meal options. “Having snacks during delays can alleviate some stress,” she advised.
She also suggested opting for foods without strong odors. “If you’re bringing food on a plane, pick something compact, not messy, and easy to dispose of,” she recommended.
Despite mixed reactions, many sided with the Van de Graaf family, asserting there are far worse smells than pizza. “Honestly, why complain about the scent of pizza?” one person remarked.
Van de Graaf, who also manages a Disney travel account, emphasized that she felt justified in her decision. “I’ve encountered worse things on flights, like boiled eggs and canned tuna,” she said.
In the end, Van de Graaf reflected on her choice, stating, “I’m feeding my kids. I’m doing what I have to do.” Even after the backlash, she remains firm in her decision, noting that six airport pizzas would have cost her around $80. “If I can avoid that, I will,” she concluded.
