A man stuck in airport security gridlock was finally able to say farewell to his murdered grandson after a Southwest Airline pilot refused to depart from the gate without him.

The man, whose 3-year-old grandson was to have life-support turned off that night, had arrived two hours ahead of his departure time for the domestic flight.

Despite explaining his predicament to the security staff, he recalled that no one cared at all to help him through the long lines to ensure he could board before takeoff.

Fortunately, his wife had purchased his flight on a caring airline, and she told the ticketing agent about the tragic reason for his trip.

After arriving at his gate 12 minutes late, shoes in hand and out of breath, he was greeted by Southwest Air personnel: “Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we’re so sorry about the loss of your grandson.”

As the pilot walked him down the jetway to the plane, the grieving grandfather thanked him profusely.

The pilot summed up his decision, saying, “They can’t go anywhere without me, and I wasn’t going anywhere without you.”

(READ the letter from his wife to Chris Elliot)