Heck yeah.. what a great way to quit!! Of course, the jail thing that will surely follow kinda sucks, and really this would have been better if the plane had been about to take off rather than just landing.. that way it would have been delayed for a while during which time the passenger who caused the problem would have gotten to sit there and think about how important it was to take it that far.

I agree

I blame the passenger. While the flight attendant should have been reprimended, what the passenger did endangered the flight as well. The passenger should have been arrested for failing to follow the take off and landing directions. Instead, he gets a pass? Wrong!

My Hero ! If you quit a crappy xxxxxx xxxxxx job do it in style

I was on one flight where a passenger was getting on. He made a little joke about the flight attendant who was (from my perspective) seriously and strangly over re-acting to everything. His joke was harmless and the flight attendant stopped everything and in a few minutes 3 big guys proceeded to escort him out of the plane. She came up to us because we were closest to it and may have heard the exchange. She asked my husband if he saw it and would he be willing to say what he saw. My husband said he saw the guy and saw that she was disturbed and not much more. She asked me and I said that I saw him, heard his joke and saw him removed and I assumed it was because the minor joke was not very funny.

There are some few flights where the flight attendant may be having a bad day and they treat passengers like an intrusion. One even asked me if I drank my Kalua and cream a little fast. My husband and I shared it so yes, we drank it fast...we each had 2 sips. I respect the attendants but sometimes some employees are pathetically untrained in people skills. Remember when we fly we are the prisoners to whatever mood someone may be in. Not much you can do but laugh it off.

I think this attendent choosing the chute shows that some are not too professional or equipped to hold their hostages for too long without going bonkers. I love the idea that the only exit this professional could find was a chute. I wish more would do it before the flight if they are on the edge. Makes room for the good attendents.

Those gay flight attendants don't take crap. You go girlfriend!

Agreed. I would like to buy this attendant a cocktail...or two.

I can see it now; right next to girls gone wild in the video store: "When Gays Attack!".

right on!!!...I love this guy...he has all my support!!!!

I agree!

Question: Why are some of you saying the guy was gay?

The story doesn't say that but maybe I am missing something and if I am, what does that have to do with a professional going unprofessional and leaping down a chute?

It is a funny story all by itself without the enhancements.

That's hilarious!

Or we can make a video of you and call it "When Morons Post!", or "WebWideWorld of Morons!", or "When Douchebages Think They're Funny!"

His sexual preference was never mentioned in the article nor would it be relevant to the situation if it had been.

"I was on one flight where a passenger was getting on. He made a little joke about the flight attendant who was (from my perspective) seriously and strangly over re-acting to everything. His joke was harmless and the flight attendant stopped everything and in a few minutes 3 big guys proceeded to escort him out of the plane"

Everyone who flies - and even those who don't know that since 9/11 you don't make any jokes near or on a plane or airport -especially if you want to complete your flight.

Criminal charges are excessive in this case in my opinion.

Merg this particular flight was pre-9/11. In this case, she couldn't even use that as an excuse. After 9/11 it even more more militant but I do think most of us are aware of common sense practices so the danger of doing anything but getting on the plane and sitting until you get to your destination is not without some potential danger. It does not mean that you are safe as a passenger if you accidentally grab their attention. Just as an informative FYI I learned last year that if your bladder is exploding at the wrong time you better just sit and wet your pants.

In reality most attendants are absolutely wonderful so these instances where one may go over the top due to whatever sent them there are few and far between. As we see with this story, when it happens it can be epic humor. I'll be on a 13 hour flight in one leg of it this month. My hope is that I don't get this attendant. The ocean is pretty far down. lol

lol i give the guy a "RIGHT ON MAN!!!". Being finally employed, a welder with over 22+ yrs exsp, and after a month still the shop b****, i have about had it. Weld quality from the other employee's stink, perosity, undercut, under fill, and so on, yet i am supposed to bring a sack of diapers to work and do what the other guys dont feel like doing is about enough. I was asked to scrape a weld bucket the shop supervisor welded, and gave it 15 gigs, called him over, and let him know, if it was any other shop that made those, it would have got as bad or worse. This farmboy on crack welding is lame, and when i find something as good or better i am gone. no notice, im out. Quality is not there, and want the new guy to pick up the slack. Where i come from, you do your job, nothing less, and help when/ where needed.

Like i said, i give the guy a right on man!!! Hope i can waltz out in a way as that without the publicity, but the effect that people are most of the time Bull****, and i dont believe in handouts, free rides, but you have a job to do, DO IT! Dont ride someone's arse for doing their job, when poor you has had a bad day, and don't exspect them to pick up the slack when you have a more than one lazy one.

Screw the mile high club, I want to chew someone's ass out over the intercom and exit from an airplane down the emergency chute too!

Craig don't forget the sign off actual words before the chute jump! THAT is the BEST "I Quit" farewell speech I have ever heard. ROFL

"MF'er, I've been in the business 28 years. I've had it. That's it."

And I don't care if he was right or wrong to do what he did, that was a classic!

My favorite too! If all the m------------'s were called out maybe the rest of us wouldn't have to put up with the arrogant SOB's that think their time is more valuable than the rest of ours.

I'm waiting for the Paul Harvey moment where we hear the "rest of the story."

Charged with crimes?! Boy should be given a medal! You gotta admit, he has flair. :)

LCW-2049505 I only know if I were on the flight it would have given me the best memory of an "I Quit" speech I have ever heard. lol

He wouldn't even even need to have a good reason to do it for me. Just doing it is priceless. Because he is a guy who has worked for 28 years in this profession my personal hope is that charges will not be pressed or if it has to be they understand that he had reached his last straw, whatever it was. I wonder if he has a case for disability for going over the edge on the job. Some jobs are quite stressful and there are certainly less reasons for someone qualifying for disability. I think his speech and the chute has made him a hero to everyone that ever wanted to say "Take this job and shove it!"

He can be very wrong and still be so very right. lol

LOVE this story!!! LOL

It will be a really long time before anyone tops this exit.

Truth be told he has probably wanted to try out that slide since he started working there. I know I would LOL

It used to be that "The customer is always right", but that was back when flight attendants were well-paid and well-trained. These days they are very fortunate if they make enough to live on and can get a decent night's sleep once in a while. I would hate to be a flight attendant these days, so I try to be nice to them. More importantly, I try to avoid airline travel altogether, which can be a bit difficult when you live on a small island in the middle of the Pacific. Airline travel these days is a nightmare for everybody concerned.

All the bull crap about airline jokes started in the late 60s. I almost got arrested in 71 for greeting my room mate who came to pick me up after a flight from LA. His name was Jack. I came into the terminal and when I saw him I said Hi Jack and the police descended like a flock of ravenous vultures. Authorities get a little carried away sometimes.

Having just completed two most recent airplane trips in over 30 years of flying - both of which were flights from hell, and one of which was the Embrauer "reboot" series plane(!?!) mentioned in this story that left everyone of us on our plane stranded at a mid-point city overnight - I can definitely understand why after 28 years this airline employee said he had "had it" and launched off the plane any way he could. When the planes are such unreliable transport, the public and the industry are increasingly uncivil to each other, the hours are long for all concerned and our nation is in a downward economic spiral that stabilizes on the bottom for all but the insiders, is such stress-triggered acting-out as this really any surprise? No. Absolutely not.

The thought that this could be a seven year prison sentence is absurd, however. Washington officials currently under investigation (and others who should be) for serious offenses that should place them alongside Bernie M will get off scott-free. Philandering basketball coaches, corporate figureheads and other GOBs who want abortions not child support payments for their trysts get off scott-free as well. These folks get free passes because they are faux celebrities in their minds or turfs. And THIS working stiff who has endured the jackwagons in the travelling public for decades faces a potential seven year sentence for this? Nonsense. Total nonsense.

Time for some new US laws with an ounce of common sense and proportionality to them. Time for some new faces in Washington (vote them out in 2010 and 2012) and some term limits for them all. Time to clean house, not criminalize and excessively punish the justified frustrations of a working stiff. Seven years - even the suggestion of it - for THIS is total garbage and totally excessive. To say nothing of the tens of thousands the system will wring from this overstressed working stiif in legal fees to defend himself against the criminal injustice machine. There is also the lost or reduced pension after 28 years. This is not funny. It is a tragedy. Perhaps the more appropriate response would be a legal defense fund for this working stiff - money much more deserved here for this symbol of the times than in many recent legal defense funds,most definitely.

I wonder something:

Steve Slater is 38 years old.

He's been "doing this for 28 years."

What has he been doing for 28 years? because it sure as hell isn't being a flight attendent.

I've been on plenty of flights where travelers seem to think they have a personal flight attendant that is to be there for their every whim and complain to those around them how service is horrible when they don't arrive at their seat within 30 seconds.They act like the attendants have no other responsibility but to attend to them whenever they push that damn button.

Flight attendants are people too and have emotions and feelings like everyone else.Folks need to not treat them as door mats or personal assistants and have a bit of courteousy and patience as they have many others who want a drink or blanket or some question that would have been answered had they been paying attention during pre-flight.

Oh and one more thing,if you travel with toddlers keep them in their seats and quiet,no one wants to hear a kid yelling or screaming for 6 or 7 hours on a flight.

Don't complain about the food either it's a damn airplane not some upscale restaurant.The money you pay is for the flight not a nine course meal with cocktails and live music afterwards.

The exit would have had even more of an ''impact'' if they had been airborne at the time. And no jail time to worry about, either.

I wouldn't want a hothead like that on any flight I'm on. They are the ones supposed to keep a cool head in an emergency. I don't want to hear, "So long folks, you're on your own."

We've go AA killing puppies, and now flight attendants bailing out. Airlines are getting worse by the day!

PS. I don't blame the guy. Air travel in coach has gotten as bad as a cross country tour on a Gray Hound bus. (not Gray Hound's fault. Just bad customers).

I hope he has some other skills. Good luck finding another job right now.

For future reference, if I were to slide down the slide behind him, would I be arrested? Because if I ever get the chance to use that slide, I'm doing it! Jail be damned!

For the person that questioned whether or not the flight attendant is gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) just go look on his MySpace page, which is linked from the main story. If the very first picture of him doesn't convince you that he's gay, scroll down a little further where under "sexual preference" he lists himself as "gay".

If I was going to pick sides between a gay flight attendant and an rude a$$hole passenger, I'd pick the flight attendant. I think he should sue the passenger for disorderly conduct leading to undue stress.

Oh and as a side note, congrats to MSNBC for breaking it's own record for the most typos in one article. Count them: 10! C'mon MSNBC even for you guys that's a bit much, and CNN.com has a much more detailed article anyway. You guys are going down the tubes!

It's too bad I wasn't on that plane. I would have been telling that jerk passenger off. I am sooooo over people thinking the rules do not apply to them.

I ALWAYS tell people to turn off the damn cell phone. I ask them why they feel they have the right to put my life in jeopardy, not to mention everyone else's, by disobeying the safety rules?

I downright embarrass many people because I am very bold and upfront with my comments. In fact, sometimes people clap. I just have chutzpah and I'm not Jewish.

Who CARES if he is gay? Can you just shut up? That has NOTHING to do with this story.

Debrarae

I agree that the passenger needed a reprimand and just sent an email to Jet Blue.

Karen,

Just sent an e-mail to JetBlue, eh? You certainly send a lot of letters to people. "I just filed this or that briefing with this or that court." "I just sent so-and-so a letter." "I just sent which-and-sich an e-mail." Would I be terribly out of line in asking how many cats and cross-stitches you have around your home?

And a passenger receiving a reprimand? Are you serious? A reprimand is what employees get when they're formally written up for wrong-doing. You can't do that to a customer, especially since you can't fire a customer.

Can you imagine a manager of McDonald's trying to write up a customer for raising hell that his double cheeseburger only came with one meat patty on it? "Mister, I'ma write you up for causing a scene. Sign right here agreeing that I've discussed this matter with you, and that two more write-ups will result in your not being allowed to buy double cheeseburgers anymore." Yeah. That'd put that customer in his place, all right! ;-)

I have to say, I'm glad you made this post. It just confirmed what I've long suspected based on all your other posts in which you defame the entire gay community (and several others, too). You've got what we polite southern folk like to call a case of the not-rights.

rhodes

Who do you think you are? The Newsvine Patrol? Big freaking deal that you made fun of me.

Boo hoo - now I'm going to cry - NOT.

People who have to criticize others ARE INSECURE and you have revealed yourself to be a very insecure person.

The passenger CAN be banned from the airline for violation of protocol. THAT IS A FACT.

I suggest you stick to your opinions on topics so that your insecurities are not revealed as they are when you criticize others.

You're right. That may be the reason the original stewardesses (that's what they were called back in the '30's) were ALL nurses.

As a Kindergarten teacher, one who just LOVES parent conferences where I have to sugarcoat every comment, and report cards that need to sugarcoat every comment, and every dealing with every child that needs to be sugar coated (hey, I need my job) all I can say is your comment is brilliant. Love the idea, and it would be a way for teachers to finally travel, since right now we can't afford airline tickets. Bless you for your idea!

Some airlines are beginning to hire retired law enforcement personnel as flight attendants. That will be interesting.....

Bid Dawg-860575, you're right. They are stuck in a cabin all day catering to bunch of whiny babies with adult clothes on that think they are the best specimens to ever walk the earth. Not only that, but nearly half of all passengers have to be reminded at least twice of the rules because they either think the rules don't apply to them or they just don't care about their own safety and the safety of others. Add to that with all the BS these attendants have had to go through ever since 9/11 with all the mania making sure nobody tries to hijack the plane. Attendants deserve an award for keeping the job after 5 years. All the while, these jerks also complain about jet lag when it's the least of the attendants' worries.

Why is it that you think the passenger is the jerk? Perhaps the paying passenger ALSO has had their fill of overpriced/delayed/cancelled/overbooked flights, with nose in the air FA's, crappy service, no food/blankets/pillows and severely cramped space. Maybe, just maybe you need to look at the airlines themselves instead of automatically criticizing the traveller.

Not Kinder - if you truly want self-absorbed, that would be middle school.

And amen to Judy, the teacher that spoke about sugar-coating, that practice continues, especially in socio-economic areas where all the children are expected to be above average. (apologies to Garrison Keillor)

theojt-1996398, I understand the airline companies have cut out a lot of the services, raised prices and made life harder for the passengers. Are you trying to tell me the passengers are justified in taking their frustrations out on the attendants? If the passengers don't like the airline or its services, there are better ways to address those issues than taking it out on the workers. I've seen it way too many times. The attendants do the best they can given the circumstances they are put in, 99% of the time it's not their fault.

To theojt-1996398, the passenger is a jerk for standing up and messing with his bags while the aircraft is still moving when an announcement very clearly stated to not do so, and duh? He's the only one standing up? And as both a passenger and FA, I am not happy about the conditions of the airlines, but what makes you think that is the FAs fault? Our benefits and pay were the first to be cut, and still are minimal to what people think we get paid. So before you start complaining of crappy service, no food/pillows/blankets, and cramped space, think about who is directly responsible for that. FAs go with minimal sleep, 16hrs days (sometimes with no meal breaks). And THAT is the airlines fault as well, but in this instance the passenger was definitely a jerk for not following the clear directions.

flyingalthetime

It doesn't say anything about the passenger standing and messing with his bags... that would be YOU making assumptions like the ones you were just complaining about. Its hard to hold the high ground when you fall on the first sentence. Beyond that, how long do you suppose they had to wait on the plane before they were allowed to get off...??Bet that was a fun hour...

The altercation started when a passenger pulled their bag out of an overhead storage and hit flight attendent Steve Slater in the head. Steve demanded an appology and the passenger eventually said, "F^%&off!." At that point, Mr. Slater got on the plane's PA system and launched into his tirade...

That's kind of like telling the bell hop your room is messed up, he has no authority tell the manager

The original story stated the man got up while the plane was still taxiing and was asked to sit down and refused. Flyingalthetime didn't make it up.

Patriot, read the whole story and more than one article before you post about people not knowing what they are talking about.

This is a great example as to why we need a better commuter rail system in this country. Throw the passenger off at the next stop!

Commuter rail? Are you kidding? Commuter trains don't have emergency slides!

Patriot....try actually getting some facts before you start running your mouth....the passenger was standing up, in a big hurry to be first off the plane, getting luggage out of the overhead bin....after being clearly told to close the bin and sit down he told the FA to fu^* off, yanked the bag out and hit him in the head with it. Oh....just an FYI....the FA's mother is battling cancer and he has been under alot of stress as well.....He didn't smack the passenger, he didn't endanger anyone....he just cussed the inconsiderate moron out, took a couple of beers and left.....Good for him. As a member of the flying public I'm sick and tired of these people who ignore the rules, are obnoxious flyers, think that just because they are in a hurry that noone else has any right to delay them for any reason...they trample all over the airline staff and fellow passengers. Why wasn't that @))hole arrested??

That passenger would have gotten way more than a request for apology if he would've hit me in the head with his luggage. I probably would've smashed his balls, the world is way too full of morons like him and we really don't need for them to procreate any further.

All I know is you never know what's on other people's minds at any given moment.

Everyone is quick to justify the FA's mood: unruly passengers, mother with cancer, 28 years.

What about the passenger?

I'm not justifying his/her actions, but would it make a difference if the passenger's mother had cancer, been flying for 30 years for his/her job, his/her child was in the hospital, or any number of reasons one might be a little more lenient with him/her?

There's a movie called "Crash" I believe, (Matt Dillon etc) that makes my point more succinctly.

What a story! My mind flashes back to a old Dolly Partons movie... "9 to 5"

How interesting to see all the assumptions drawn from it .... and how individuals perspective vary, from their lifes experiences. Some people go to great trouble to understand the situation, not just what is written in the article. Others read information into the article, that has no basis in fact, and most of us just accept what is written as fact.

What are the real facts of this case has the incident been presented fairly to both sides? What precipitated the disagreement between these two people ... was it fairly and objectively presented? What in each of these two peoples lives brought them to this " collision " at this moment?

The only conclusion I draw from the story is that any charges brought against anyone ... is absurd and only reflects how government has to interject itself into every aspect of our daily lives ....

After looking into Mr Slater's history ..... I think I'd give him a "pass" on this one!

everyone also needto remember that no matter how long your on that plane and stuck there there is not a dman thing th fight attnedants or poilts can do about it. So if your there stuck there for 5 hours wating to take off so are they. They alos would like to eat and go to the restroom and get off that plane.

If you think this guy or any of them over react to you getting into your bags when you not supposed to or when you make a joke. Think about 9/11. What was once thought as harmless now they have to consider every stupid move you make as a threat.

finally a guy who could say "enough is enough"!!!

Happens every day... usually by McDonald's employees... which, ironically enough, is the only employer from here to the rest of his life that will EVER be willing to touch his resume' let alone hire him. What, an, idiot.

PS - the idiot remark was directed that the former flight attendant turned prison inmate.

Yeah right. I'm sure this one incident negates the 28 years of service he put in. The story says he was arrested. Do you really think that he will spend any time in jail? Hopefully the talk show circuit will sign him up to talk about his years of service and all the morons he had to deal with in that time.

Hey, at least he waited until the plane had stopped.

I would have thought it more newsworthy if the unruly passenger had gotten thrown off the flight via emergency egress.

ya know... there is no such thing as an easy job... no he didn't do the smartest thing... but after near 30 years of dealing with people who want to blame him for the A&P's trying to keep there miserable selves safe, I say that he did what he had tot to keep his sanity... I mean I can see criminal mischief... but thats about all... the plane landed... and by all means it was only his life that was in danger... I credit him for it... Though he only caused more work for the mechanics who get to reload the chute do calibration etc... and that just delays everyone else that was hoping to travel that day.

Subbudu, I said that once. The divorce attorney cost me a bundle. LOL!

30 years of what? Steve Slater, the flight attendent, is only 38!

I agree.

I think those of us who can empathize with the flight attendants, concerning difficult passengers that they have to put up with occasionally, should speak up and scold these unruly passengers when we see it happening. If I had observed a nearby passenger giving an attendant a difficult time, then I would have likely let that passenger have it verbally for behaving like a scumbag.

yea, thats what we need another STUDY... Who pays for all thse studies? and why???

hows about this guys psycologist perform his study and make sure he is capable to work with people???

or maybe not, maybe he will be put on disability and then we will still end up paying for it...

what a world we live in...something goes wrong between two adults and we have to talk and study and react and spend countless amounts of money, when it is obvious that people shouldnt be allowed to interact with people for a living...

If the "adult" passenger were simply capable of following simple instructions like "please do not move about the airplane until it has come to a complete stop and the fasten safety belts lights has been turned off", the whole incident could have been avoided. Perhaps that passenger shouldn't be allowed to travel via airplanes if he's too stupid to just sit and do what he's told?

You've obviously never worked in any type of customer service position, jumps. If you had, you would realize that most Americans are pushy, self-absorbed, babies who have an extremely tough time understanding directions longer than three words. The attendant probably could have handled the situation better but at least he didn't punch the passenger in the face. I applaud him for standing up for himself, but (if there is one) next time breathe deep and count to ten before making such rash decisions.

The guy had been a flight attendant for 26 years, I think he was capable of working with people. Maybe you should learn to read the whole article?

Hey ZenFreedom, do you not realize that your comment "most Americans are pushy, self-absorbed blah, blah, blah" includes the flight attendents as they are also Americans and all the rest of you big babies that work in customer service. Perhaps it's the fight attendant that was out of line. You don't know since you weren't on the flight.

However, it is funny as hell. Since I live close enough to LaGuardia to walk I wonder what would happen if I did that on my next flight. Awesome idea.

The guy had been a flight attendant for 26 years, I think he was capable of working with people.

I don't care if you've got 126 years experience... if you have a breakdown like this ONCE in all that time, you're not capable... maybe next time he'll go on a shooting spree... I know I for one would NEVER be willing to hire someone like that... total liability and risk.

I agree, people are so self absorbed anymore and think they are so entitled. The flight attendants have to deal with ignorant and self righteous people every day. Just follow the rules, shut up and everyone would get along. The flight attendants are there more for your safety and are not taught to deal with grown up babies. Sure they are in customer service, but everyone deserves respect.

I don't work in customer service anymore. I'm in the Army. My customer service time is limited to the fast food jobs i held while in high school and my time working as an investigator in the military. And yes, I do know what my comment entailed, hence Americans and not "everybody but me."

My father was in the military and I've been on enough airplane flights (about 30+ transworld flights including deployments) to know what's expected of me on a flight. Maybe you missed that whole part about the passenger up and about bothering with their luggage before the plane was AT A COMPLETE STOP. That's how morons fall and get hurt and then attempt to sue the airline due to their own stupidity. As I said, the attendant could have punched him in the face.

While studying the stress on the flight attendants, they should also study the stress on the passengers. I used to be able to fly without feeling like I am packed into a flying sardine can. I used to be able to fly and be provided with some food on an 8 hour flight so that I am not starving...and cranky because of lack of food. I used to be able to fly and be able to actually read a book, without the seat in front of my flopping down into my lap. I used to be able to fly and not have to pay for everything under the sun. I used to be able to fly and just be comfortable. The flight attendants are stressed, because the passenger's are stressed. If you pack a crowd of people into flying sardine can and expect them not to be cranky by being treated like animals....you will get some of those people getting cranky. You want to reduce stress on flight attendants...charge people a real fare for flying, give them room to breathe, give them food or snack. If the airlines started treating their passengers like human beings, I will suspect that the passengers will return to acting like human beings.

All that said, this story made me laugh....what an awesome way to quit a job...although I agree with other posters, he should have punted the unruly passenger down the slide first. I also agree that criminal charges are overboard (no pun intended) unless there is something about what happened that isn't in the article that would warrant criminal charges.

Stress levels of crew and stress levels of passengers. Who needs to study that? The airline industry should hang out a sign that reads " Good. Cheap. Fast.~~ Pick one."

What the airlines should do across the boards is double their prices. Shock and horror! But people who have to fly are going to fly regardless of cost. People who don't have to fly are going to balk at the price and forego the trip.

Fewer passengers who pay more money, less crowding, less air traffic, less stress, fewer planes in the air that can fall out of the sky. Fewer terrorist targets.

I think too many people fly when they could find an alternative.

Ben, as if you'd ever be able to figure out which prospective employees might snap like that.

Everyone can be pushed too far, including yourself.

I was thinking the same thing.. We are deffinately hurting for entertainment to give this bozo his 15 min of fame!

Sounds like Male PMS to me?

.....male flight attandant, bitches, scratches eyes out, grabs his gucci bad and storms out of the galley....

Nice one PJ, it's good to see what people still think of male flight attendants. Poor guy has been dealing with passengers bull for so many years.

Poor guy has been dealing with passengers bull for so many years.

That's what he got PAID to do. The airline nor the passengers owe him one goddam red penny more than what's on his paycheck. If you don't want to do something, DON'T TAKE THE JOB!

Ben-1268009, I don't think you understand the issue here. The passenger was fiddling around with the luggage before the plane was able to make it to the gate. It's obvious there was an argument with the jerk (passenger) to stop doing what he was doing, but then the attendant just got fed up and left, who else wouldn't after dealing with this for so long. Now we have people commenting who think they are so funny to assume the flight attendant is gay, like the FA didn't have enough crap to deal with.

You say he shouldn't take the job, but do you know him to know his circumstances? Just maybe that was the only job that was available to him and he needed the money. All of us aren't blessed with all the skills to be able to pick and choose whatever job we want.

Don't take the job? What employee deserves to be treated like crap for doing his/her job?

what_the_81,

What you don't seem to understand is that if the passenger was in the wrong, then the flight attendant was about 10,000 times more in the wrong. I mean here the passenger is preparing to depart the plane... and the flight attendant actually leaves the plane... which is worse, standing up or opening an emergency exit and deploying a $10,000 one-time-use emergency chute because you don't like your job? Anybody that thinks the passenger was bad, ought to be pissed as all hell at the former flight attendant.

As far as him being "limited" to being a flight attendant, is that supposed to be a joke?? Do have ANY idea how difficult it is to become a flight attendant? Anybody that can pass the hiring requirements to become a flight attendant is anything but limited in what other jobs they could do. Of course NOW the guy is limited, because nobody's going to be stupid enough to hire someone that is so emotionally unstable. Nevermind the fact that he is evidently mentally incapable of making good business decisions anyway (cost of letting the incident and passenger go: $0, cost of throwing a hissy fit and temper tantrum: $10,000 cost to employer plus cost of replacing employee, $50,000 salary, $2,500 bond, and a few weeks behind bars. Anybody that chooses the latter isn't fit to be employed by anyone, anywhere, at any time).

As I understand the situation from some other articles, Steve Slater (the flight attendent) was hit in the head by a piece of luggage a passenger was trying to remove from an overhead compartment. The flight attendent demanded an apology. The passenger refused and when pressed for one by Slater, the passenger finally told Slater to "Fv</off!" Slater then got on the plane's PA system and launched into his berating, before exiting on the slide.

What tens of thousands of damage?

The true is this society has become so narcisistic that I feel sorry for most people that work these types of jobs. The customer is always right was true back when people had manners, not today. People will do what they want to because they feel the world revolves around them. How hard is it to stay in your seat until your told you can grab your bags for god sakes. I think the reaction is hillarious though, good for him if he can afford to retire.

listen, jumpintoconclusions - we've all flown before, and we all know EXACTLY what happened on that flight 'cause it plays out on every plane, on every flight, every day of the week.

Bravo to the flight attendant!!

craig-1628694 : the emergency slides are essentially giant airbags, and they cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace.

Katiegirl:Where do you figure it costs the airlines much of anything to reset and recharge this slide? It's made to do exactly what the FA did (tho maybe not for this specific reason) and absolutely no damage was done as long as the plane was parked at the gate. My guess is it was a rear door because all the people told NOT to stand up until the "aircraft is at the gate" were already blocking the aisle and grabbing their oversize "carryons". When enough is enough, then it's time to head home.

Hey Craig...it costs money to reset an emergency slide once it has been deployed...inspections, restowing, rearming...and what about the time it cost the passengers and crew who had to wait around for the aircraft to be able to continue its taxi after the slide was deployed...I don't know if it ads up to tens of thousands but it does have a significant cost and it may even be that expensive to ensure all the FAA inspections have been done so that the next crew who uses that aircraft knows that the slides are ready for...oh yea...AN EMERGENCY...which a "hissy fit" doesn't qualify as! As to the comments about the idiot travelers...you are all right...many idiots fly...I am a former pilot and frequent business traveler and was continuously amazed at the shear stupidity of the general flying public...that said...a flight attendant is there as a SAFETY expert first and foremost...they are trained to deal with the bad behavior of the flying public...this guy lost it and should either get significant punishment from JetBlue or, in my opinion be DONE flying as an attendant! He can no longer be trusted to act appropriately in a real EMERGENCY situation...as to the pay of flight attendants...yes, it's bad but...they are all free to walk and find other employment if they so choose...no one held a gun to their head and made them take those positions...

Maybe jumps is trying to hint that he was the passenger...

Have you ever flown? Obviously this man is not the sensitive type if he has been able to do that job for 20+ years. Passengers really do think the rules do not apply to them, and it is a thankless job as passengers do not realize that all we do is with their safety in mind. They all of a sudden develop selective listening and have to constantly be told by the PA system and flight attendants to buckle their seatbelts, do not put stuff behind your legs, stow under the seat in front of you, get off the phone, turn electronic devices ALL THE WAY OFF, seat upright, tray table stowed, do not get up until the seatbelt sign is off, stay seated until plane stops moving, putting up with drunk passengers, getting blamed for the weather, parents who stuff their children's faces with snack after snack and let them make a mess that they do not clean after, rude people, unwanted flirting, and that is just on a flight by flight basis. There are also those passengers that for some reason think FAs have a memorized itinerary of every conceivable flight , connection, and every city weather report of the world, as well as control of anything going on outside the aircraft. When the passenger is delayed, so is the flight attendant, when we sit outside on the tarmac for an hour or two...we all do it together. Passengers pack heavy bags that they cannot lift, and expect the flight attendants to do so...that is not part of the job people....you pack it, you lift it. FAs are there to ASSIST you, not DO it for you. Passengers...they are there for your safety not your tiniest whim. Be grown ups, and please...if you make a mess in the lavatory...clean it your own damn self...some people have no sense of hygiene and just go everywhere and leave their mess for the next person. I feel bad that this FA got to the point that not only did he throw away important benefits of his retirement, but mentally he (like could happen to anyone) had a breakdown that surely he will wish would have never happened.

Maybe the man power to arrest the attendant is what costs money? The court appearences might cost the common citizen money?? Maybe the jail time for pulling a high school stunt off an airplane will cost money????

The worst part is why were the actions of opening an emergancy door (of a plane that has already landed) and heading down the slide considered public endagerment and cause an arrest, a court date and likely jail time. Is there really that much fear left over airplanes?

yea, right... i am the passenger... hehehe.... but, if i was, i guarantee that not only would the airline be held responsibile for any deliays and or personal attacks, but i would go after the FA and his hissy fit....

your assumptions that it is common sense to not do what the passenger did, belies the fact that they ahve to give instructions in the first place...

the rules, about reciting the rules proves that the mentality of passengers is known and should be accounted for by thier employees... performing the countless hours of waving hands and b elieving that it really informs pasengers what to do when an emergency happens is BS.. but yet they do it, so they can say they TRIED, in case of litigation...but the fact is that thier reciting the rules and or showing movies does nothing to increase passenger safety...

there are many ways they can improve on this if there really was a need, but since the need is simply one of mitigating lawsuits, and not actual saving lives they do the basics as imposed by govt regulations...

but with the chances and frequency of actuall emergencies, it doesnt pay to truly inform us...

and it is the power given to the FA's that is abused more times then when they 'save lives'... and i for one, dont think it is beneficial to inconvenience countless millions of people just so they can avoid a few lawsuits... thier time and money and energy is better spent in other areas, and in this article highlights one area clearly, and that is HR...

as for the cost of resetting that slide, i guessed at the price of thousands of dollars it can easliy surpass that... again, for the process to prove/assure that it will work when it is supposed to.

(can you imagine the lawsuits, if that slide malfunctioned when it was suppoed to be used, and people/ lawyers found out it was the one that was set-off by this guys hissy fit... and then just cheaply packed away...)

I bet toilet seat replacement cost thousands of dollars so that no one gets sucked down by accident and sues them...

and your failure to see or estimate the costs proves your lack of usnderstanding or repercussions... just sayin...

Noduh: katiegirl is correct. Tens of thousands maybe mild. Considering this plane is now considered not airworthy since the chute has been deployed. The chute needs replaced and propellants recharged. These are not cheap since all items are tested and certified. This plane will be considered AOG until completed and that costs the airlines money b/c it's not used being to carry people.

slide packs on boeing 737's cost about $20,000 eleven years ago when i was hired as a f/a, don't know what it costs for an E190 but i would guess over 15. if somebody was walking on the ramp when he blew the slide they could definitely be killed. i saw somewhere that it was the 1r door, if so that is the front door across from where you would board.

p.s. went down the slide in training and it was a very cool experience.

Not only that, but the plane had to be taken out of service, and depending on where they were, another jet and possibly another crew had to be flown in to take this planes route.

Lot of money involved here.

It might well be that the story, as many do, overstated the "emergency slide" aspect. The exit gates have a stairway down to the ground for service personnel to get access to the plane from the apron, and often, running parallel to those service stairs, they have a hard plastic slide about 18" across mounted next to the stairway - I think it's to speed up the offloading of bags of trash, but it certainly could be used to slide down and make a quick exit without having to go down the service stairs. And no deployment cost if that was the case.

"Flight Attendant exits via trash chute" wouldn't make for near the headlines that "Flight Attendant exits via emergency slide" does - but that usually doesn't stop story-writers from their hyperbole. Like the 28 years of experience for the 38 year old Flight Attendant - something's not right with that.

Jusy sayin'.....

DGW,

That is not what was reported. HE could have shimmied down into the cargo hold and left the plane via the cargo hatch, but that didnt happen either.

It was reported he activated the emergency chute.

And a drink!

I'd buy that guy a drink. He probably needs one. I travel quite a bit and have seen passengers just be flat out disrespectful and rude to flight attendants. Their mamas didn't bring them up right.

I'de buy him a drink but I need to get this carry on out of the overhead before everyone gets out of their seat.....

I thought the guy was a recovering alcoholic. What did he take the beers for?

i do believe the mechanics probably dont make as much, but i am not sure the UNION comment is accurate.... and if it is accurate then it is a sad commentary for UNION workers who cant work a full shift, but yet they demand they get paid as if they do...

Forget the flight attendant, the mechanic and the police. I'm angry at the passenger. The rules apply to everyone. Not just those that have egotistical arrogance and believe they can do whatever they want. I've seen this so many times and it makes me want to tell them to SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!! Rules apply to EVERYONE! Not just those that suffer from your selfishness.

although i agree with your rules applying ot everyone, i do believe there are stupid rules... seat belt rules, helmet rules, not spitting on the sidewalk rules, seats in their upright and fully locked positions...

If the seatback moving two inches forward saves lives, then how about moving the seats up ten inches and allowing the seat behind it room to fully move/collapse in the event of an emergency...

ohyea, that would cut into profit, which obviously is way more important then our safety....

Imagine one or two rows less and spreading the seats out more, what kind of 'safety margin' would be created at the loss of 5-7 seats...

the airlines dont care about our safety.. they only care about not paying penalties and or lawsuits... and they will use the smallest rule infraction to mitigate thier liability, rather then accept theymade a mistake or that crap happens

jump, are you jealous of union workers? My husband was one and never demanded anything other than what he was due. Unions fought long and hard in this country so people would make decent wages. Companies sure didn't give a crap about their employees before the unions came around and many people were hurt, lost their jobs and some were even killed so people like you could earn a decent wage and get benefits. If so many in this country didn't want cheap crap instead of well-made products, unions would not be so vilified but of course people like you are the ones complaining about Chinese junk while still buying it instead of supporting American workers. It's the rich that hate the unions because they force those rich owners to take care of their workers instead of pocketing all the money. Yes, there are some union employees and union people that take advantage of it all but most union employees are decent hardworking people glad they can support their families.

im not jealous of anyone, I too 'demanded' what i felt i was worth, and i respected companies that chose to not hire me and felt they could get more for less... (As i know they might, but it wouldnt be easy)

It's called free/fair market... and if your husband demanded, it woudl be one thing, but he didnt.. he had someone else leverage the companies into doing and paying more and or giving more compensation, then the average market, which is why there is so much 'correction' going on in the union labor force right now.... i.e not too many union workers are getting thier regular increases like they used to, and in fact are getting less...

There was a time, when unions were needed and I appreciate thier efforts and the concept, but unfortunately that concept has been taken over by people in upper managment, who's first priority is keeping thier business, 'in business'... and yes, i am talking about teh union leadership orgainzation themselves...

if you think your husband or his associates are the PRIORITY, of union mangament, u are drinking too much kool aid... sorry...

Profit, who needs profit, why dont they just fly you around for free?

BTW, AA tried charging more and removing seats, guess what, nobody noticed.

Jump, you sure know how to twist things to fit your own perspective. My husband and his family have been union people for a long time. In fact, my husband's grandfather was the one that came up with pension plans. Yes there are some in union management (btw - spell check is here for a reason) that should not be there. Most people walking this earth are for themselves first so that is no reason to vilify unions either. Yes, I do happen to think that my husband was a priority of union management and no I do not even like koolaid. You seem to have dealt with someone in your past that soured you on unions and it's a shame because even today they do great things for everyone. But you need to stop judging all by one or two. My husband's union helped me out tremendously with no benefit to them at all. So please stop putting your own biased opinion ahead of others. From your first sentence, it sure sounds to me like I'm responding to one bitter person that likes to try to hide it behind posturing and trying to sound like the voice of reason here.

i would imagine that activating the slide would fall under the rules/laws of the transportation board... Especially if a passenger using an electronic device is also held under the authority...and any other number of stupid rules/laws...

the activation put the lives and safety of passengers and property at risk, and as such the police or investigating authority should be able to drag the some biatch in for questioning...

maybe he was under the influence which caused him to 'over react', or something... maybe they needed a timely pee test...

He was arrested because a flight attendant is not cleared to be on the tarmac. He violated security procedures at the airport, a Federal Offense.

Actually , it is a Fed crime. He interfered with the safe opoeration of an aircraft. It's not like he was playing with the automatic doors at the grocery store.

I think it is most likely a federal crime

Not being there and knowing the whole story, they 'could have' went and got him on the pretext of a suicidal emergency after what he did. Remember we only know what is in black and white on this.

Deploying the slide is a big deal, it has to be re-packed, recharged, and re-certified. The jet will be out of service for quite a while as all this is taking place, lost revenue. Kinda like the airbag in your car, go see what one of those costs. Anything to do with jets is wildly expensive so ya, it could have easily gone into the tens of thousand dollars

Why would I want another wife? I need another airbag in the car like I need another hole in my head.

Oh - airbag. Never mind.

Not only did he activate and use the emergency slide, it did it as the plane was still moving, he didnt wait until the plane was stopped nor parked at the gate.

They say as the plane was landing Slater used the public-address system to berate the passenger. They say he then activated the slide, slid down and went to his car.

The article wasnt that long. Only 7 sentences long.

Even as a flight attendant, he is not allowed access to the ramp area in any airport. He broke the law, left his position on the airplane unattended, and cost his company thousands of dollars. And he couldn't have been doing this job for 28 years. He was only 39!

now that would be a better story... heheheheh

Allison, you're Blond, aren't you?

Especially if it were the Pilot ....

I needed that laugh. Allison, your the greatest. If it matters to anyone, I think the guy just had it with airline customers. Airports used to be enjoyable with people willing to be friendly and now it is just an extension for all the people flying to be on their phones, working deals or whatever they do. I can see how the guy freaked and left the plane. While his actions were not right, I applaud him just the same. Think of this, 28 years and he freaked - normally this is when someone goes postal at work - well he did.

what to you think, Allison? (keep in mind that he's still alive) do you really think the plane was in the air when this happened?

think before posting, blondie!

Allison...seriously?

Jump....your righ that would have made for a great story.

It is not possible to open the aircraft doors while in flight due to the cabin pressurization. Very cute though, Allison!

allison-2164151, just a small suggestion, read the article, it's not very long.

Obviously alison did read the article. There are 2 of the 7 lines contained within that article. The Plane was landing and not at rest.

They say as the plane was landing Slater used the public-address system to berate the passenger. They say he then activated the slide, slid down and went to his car.

Pin3Hot; Actually, if the plane has more inside cabin pressure (yes, they pressurize the cabins, that's why your ears pop) than the outside pressure, the door would blow off the plane, and suck out everything that is not secured.

the guy was still on the 'clock'... his shift wasnt over, and as such, he needs to explain his actions...

why are some folks not understanding and wanting to figure out what happened??? Im sure if hte company that owns the plane wanted to avoid questioning, and delayed the investigation, folks would be crying and complaining about cover ups...

why else would they hide and delay the investigation? right???

mo monster - you're an idiot. what does the president have to do with this issue. what this flight attendant did was a federal offense plain and simple. How safe would you feel in an aircraft if flight crew are allowed to abandon a plane, without severe penalty, because a passenger made them mad?

Mo,

Even though the plane is on the ground, the safety of each and every one of the passengers still on the plane is his responsibility. As much as I sympathise with the attendent from witnessing my fellow passengers and their antics over the years, this is a pretty dammed big breach of conduct. My guess is this poor fellow will never work for a large carrier again.

Oh, and if you don't like the way big business is corrupting the government, why blame Obama? Blame the Republicans who have sold out lock, stock and barrel to big business.

you're an idiot.

@jbunn - Thank you. I always look forward to some dumbazz making any topic whatsoever about political affiliation instead of factual debate. You have not disappointed.

How can anyone draw a connection between this news story and politics?

The poor guy handled a situation in the worst way and will pay the price for it. I have to admit I would like to throttle a few passengers just about everytime I fly.

Biggerproblems - Mo monster was actually first by blaming it on Obama.

mo monster, you deserve a prize for somehow bringing politics into this. I'll let you know when there's a apple pie eating contest article so you can show us how you can somehow get politics into that article as well.

More important, not only was Obama at fault, but this is obviously a racial issue, the flight attendent was black and the passanger was white!!!!! Or maybe it was a racing issue to see who could get off the plane the fastest, I just get so confused by all of this race stuff!

@smartblonde - You are right, and I didn't catch it. Thanks, and my apologies for appearing to take sides. I just get tired of hearing it from whack jobs on both sides.

You almost had it

Jet Blue Cozy Coach Seats : $200.000

Rebuying Items that were taken by security : $35.00

A Coffee At Starbucks Before taking Off: $15

A 2nd show at the end of the flight to make it all worth it : Priceless

LOL BBbbbbbbbbwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahah

my reaction exactly!!!! I needed a good laugh ..I owe this guy a drink for this one...still lmao

Lol....now that's funny

I hear they are are accepting applications. There's a plus from applicants who have experience tending to spoiled kids.

Job opening filled immeadiately, representatives from JetBlue immeadiately went into the terminal and hired an illegal janitor

That has got to be the best response I've read!

Or maybe Cher or Kenny Chesney!

It was probably stupid ass comments like yours that set him off. Drop the gay comments. You are so behind the times.

Ass, set him off, gay, behind... could you possibly declare your gayness more openly? Maybe you should send him a fruitcake in prison.

The Minnesota Dumb strikes yet again........

Oh, you know he did girlfriend!

Not all flight attendants are gay, jackass.

Right

exjber - maybe not, but now we know you are!

I picture his makeup all messy, skinny jeans hanging out of his Burberry bag and white VW Beetle convertible speeding away while he calls ahead to his "Roomy(Exjber)" to fill the tub with bubbles!

hey exjber- don't waste your time with these guys. the first ones to start in with the gay jokes are the guys in denial. someday they'll get over their insecurities, come out of the closet, and stop being d!ckwads...

Wow PJ-1285515 with that phenomenal ability to discern the "truth" over the internet at a glance, how are you not out solving the rest of the world problems?

Exactly! The notion that all male FA's are gay is ridiculous! And it's no wonder that people cannot control themselves after 26 years of this kind of BS and passengers that cannot follow the simplest directions!

Let's elect the flight attendant President, even he could do a better job than Obumbler.

Phil, take it somewhere else. Don't you guys ever think about something else?

BTW, this flight attendant is awesome.

trixierix- don't pick on Phil, he made a funny. Obama- Obumbler- get it? Besides- I think it's really cute that a first-grader is trying to get involved in political debate.

I think he was just in a hurry to go shoe shopping.

Rich: The illegal alien will get the attendant job opening that the hot head left open.

American man; Are you kidding, JetBlue went right out to the terminal and hired the first illegal janitor they found cleaning up...that job is already filled.

he'll be workin in the Obama W.H. in no time

that's good- the WH could use somebody who's not afraid to call the Republicans and Tea Partiers what they are; greedy, corrupt, ignorant, arrogant, chicken-sh!t, half-wit, redneck a$$holz. Then maybe we could get on with cleaning up the mess Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rummy and the rest of the right-wingnut war criminals made, and make this country great again.

Ya he will go, right to jail. Even i also agree that he is justified, but he should have had security handle it...he lost it and its his job to stay profesional and not let some a-hole break him...now hes facing 7 years in prison, wow , what a f----- up law system we have.....

If the beligerent passenger had gotten his blood boiling as it did, why didnt an air marshal step in to the situation? The passenger would have been looking at an arrest instead.

It also seems that he could have radioed security while landing about a hostile passenger - nothing like fed police to escort you off a plane to ask a few questions while you are cuffed.

There was a family removed from an airplane before it began moving because 1 of their young kids was throwing a tantrum and they couldnt control the child.

PS: people arent allowed to be jerks on a plane anymore with our new "anti"terrorism laws.

Flight Marshals aren't on every flight...and certainly not on a short commute as in this case.