While I think the flight attendant went too far, possibly endangering the ground crew, the passenger was out of line as well. The passenger could easily have been arrested. Interfering with or ignoring the instructions of a flight crew member is a federal crime. I would say the passenger got lucky that the flight attendant chose to quit in dramatic fashion rather than having him arrested. I hope they at least delayed the passenger to question him so that he was inconvenienced for being such a jackass.

The flight attendant was also out of line to do what he did. This was not a safe move and he could have easily injured someone on the ground who was not expecting the chute deployment. The airline will press criminal charges because they will also want to go after the guy civilly. Those chutes cost a small fortune to replace in their canisters after they have been deployed and the airline will likely try and go after the flight attendant for the cost. I would bet the incident also delayed the next flight departing on that aircraft which left them with a lot of annoyed passengers to deal with as well.

Why would anyone vote if they "don't know?"

I have never understood that.

Anyway, I think that he did what many of us feel. The notion that he really endangered anyone is a function of our nanny-culture...everything seems scary and deadly.

Perhaps he should make payment for any damage done, but, at least he is not living a sterile, sanitized, one-dimensional, bland life....like Kenneth Starr, Jr.

I voted 'i don't know' because I don't think he's a hero, I don't think he's crazy, and I don't think he's an idiot. I think he's somewhere in between all of them. It said he had been under the stress of caring/worrying about his mom and having cared for his dad, a load most don't understand. Then to have really rude passengers probably on a constant basis, he probably just thought 'I don't have to take this anymore' and left with a flourish:). A good lesson for all of us who depend on salespeople, flight attendants, and servers -- we should remember what our Mom's taught us - be nice, be patient, and smile.

A good lesson Indeed Alabama, however, for those of us who work in the service industry...sometimes all it takes is one straw to break the proverbial camels back. I was once told by a customer to "Go F My Mother!" Just because I told him to smile. I have never "gone off" on a customer, however, I can relate to those who do!

I have SO wanted to slide down one of those things. Of course NOT in an emergency situation.

They should change the name of these slides to "Slater Slides".

I admire him for doing what came to his mind and screw the entire thing. I've seen tha abuse these attendants take from passengers. Maybe he should have pushed that passenger down the escape slide since the passenger was in such a hurry to get out.

Bravo Steve.! Looks like Steve has quite a bump on the head and no apology from the customer. That's the kind of idiots these flight attendents have to deal with on a daily basis. Good Luck Steve.

As a true "road warrior" I leave my house on Sunday's and return on Friday's. I have been doing this for the last 12 years, and I will tell you all that this guy is my hero. I say hello to every attendant, I thank them when I leave the plane. It is just the way I am.

People now days are so much I am important and the rules do not apply to me its crazy. I mean just go to an airport and stand by security, how many people still bring bottles larger than 3 oz? How many think they are above the rules, now I disagree with a lot of that stuff, we should be penalizing the 5% not the 95% but our society does not do that.

Its like this on every flight anymore someone thinking they are above the rules. This woman should be put on a "no fly" list and never allowed on a plane again, instead the flight attendant will spend time in prison and this woman will be allowed to do this on another flight if she hasn't already.

Common sense, common courtesy are gone in today's society and were worse off for it. When we will all wake up!

The passenger was to blame for his blow up. This probably was the straw that broke the camels back, persay. Granted the flight attendant shouldn't have done that, but we can't put ourselves in his shoes. I am pretty sure that we all have regretted our reactions to something because of stress we have been enduring. Some of us get so fed up that we blow up. I hope he will be okay..he is facing some serious charges and all could have been avoided if the PASSENGER HAD APOLOGIZED!!!!!! SOMETIMES WE CAN'T CHANGE THESE PEOPLE!!!

"Hero" my ass! I picked the one that definitely stressed that he was crazy...and I also think he's an idiot. Flight attendants aren't the polite customer service folks that they used to be; these days they'll act as if they are doing you a favor to charge you to use the toilet. Soon they'll all be like New York cabbies!

If I had to guess, he was barreling his way past and trying to create contact to stress keeping the aisles clear, and he got more than he'd bargained for (perhaps).

I once had an attendant coming from aft to forward with a drink cart hit my elbow as I was sitting in an aisle seat. No "sorry," just "please keep the aisle clear." An apology would have been instinctive from the passenger if he realized he hit someone. I tend to believe the flight attendant was most likely in the middle of being a jerk precisely at the moment of impact.

these days they'll act as if they are doing you a favor to charge you to use the toilet.

Lemme tell ya, it ain't the flight attendants whom are charging you...

The public needs a serious awakening for thinking they can just do what they want when they want, and that associates are slaves since they paid a few dollars (which, the associates will see very little of).

And I think anyone, whichever side you're on (customer or associate), needs to realize that mistakes happen, apologies should be given when appropriate (and the best part is they don't cost a dime), and politeness needs to go both ways.

Sounds as though you as self-important as the passenger! Why did this person even exit the seat prior to the plane being parked at the gate? It's people like this passenger, and attitudes like yours that make flying even more uncomfortable.

I also work in customer service and some of the things we deal with are unfathomable. Some being feel so "entitled" to whatever they want.

I hope he gains great success and finds a way to turn this into a positive and that people like this paasneger will finally see how the majority of travelers find this passengers' behavior unacceptable. The passenger should have been arrested for not following direction of the crew!

@Bill, you gotta ask yourself when did this all start to happen. I remember when passengers were not unruly, and attendents and employees of the industry treated passengers like customers. If you're foolish enough to think the industry can just take and take and take, without side effects, get a clue.

Do you realize how much more crap is in overhead compartments because people in a recession are trying to avoid 25-50 dollars per bag fees? The maze that airports are and the struggle that it is to make connecting flights. The airlines don't give a rat's ass about the passenger. They go through the motion with formalities until they realize they can turn a profit by reaching in your pocket. Think of a fee and one day it shall be. I surely do hope the industry collapses or is somehow forced to face some kind of outside business pressure, since money is the only thing that talks.

I understand the nature of the attendents was to change after 9/11, but guess what...they treat everyone like a terrorist. Heck, it could be as simple as raising your seat back to a fully upright position too slowly (or your seat won't stay upright), and you are one protest or explanation away from "causing a disturbance". I now only fly when my employer foots the bill.

..and it was in fact Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) who angered the flight attendant:

http://giveusliberty1776.blogspot.com/2010/08/ok-heres-rest-of-story.html

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who was annoyed that blacks were not being represented by the names chosen for hurricanes. "All racial groups should be represented," she told The Hill Magazine, adding that she hoped the weather establishment in future "would try to be inclusive of African American names" such as "Keisha, Jamal and Deshawn."

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who wants to sell F-16 fighter planes to Hugo Chavez.

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who, during a 2005 visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, asked whether the Mars Pathfinder had taken the image of the flag planted on Mars by Neil Armstrong in 1969.

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who, accustomed to having an aide drive her daily, in a government-leased car, back and forth between her Capitol Hill apartment and her congressional office one block away, once told a staffer who had failed to reserve a limousine: "You don't understand. I am a queen, and I demand to be treated like a queen!"

Why was that person standing when they shouldn't have been. They should have been thrown in jail for breaking TSA rules. I can probably figure out why they are not getting into trouble

Not an attendant - been a passenger many times - wasn't there - didn't see it happen - BUT - as a passenger I myself have been ticked off by the attitude of fellow passengers. I have never had a problem with an attendant. My Mother would kick my *** if I behaved like either of them - and she has been gone for over 20 years. I always think of her and how she raised me when I am in a "situation". WORKS EVERY TIME!

anyone find out who the biotch lady passenger that have him the knot? I'd like to say a few words about her.

Amen your preaching the gospel. This dude lacked common sence, courtesy and made his mother look bad for not teaching him manners... I hope she slaps him when she finds out what he did to Steve and not even offer up an I am sorry I didn't mean to do that. Or at least a my bad.

this is what we call a hero?

heroes jump on top of grenades, heroes jump in front of a car to save a child, heroes will die for others...

cowards tuck their tails and run...

For those of you that think he's a hero, ask yourself how he would have acted if he were the passenger.

He should be fired for lack of professionalism. I worked in the public with people and have had worse done to me. I learned to deal with it and ignore some of the rude people. I have had my life threatened over a freaking return, for not giving a customer enough attention during the holiday rush, for forgetting to say "Thank You" for shopping here.

Gee, people can be obnoxious and rude, but hey, had to pay my college bills and understand that in life you cannot please everyone.

As for Slater, fire his stupid azz. He lacks professionalism and shouldn't be in the line of work where you have to deal with people (aka azzholes) here and there. Imagine if a little kid accidentally kicked him or dropped a small bag on his foot. What then? Toss the kid out the window of the plane in flight!

Running his mouth off on the mic of the plane to all the other passengers only proves that this man is in need of therapy. He should have taken it like a man and been the bigger person on the plane by just walking aweay from a bad situation. Then when it came time to serve him a drink or food, pee or spit in his drinks and meals.

Exactly!!! Which YOU are you talking about, the passenger or Slater who made it all about himself. He acted like the passenger.

i agree that you should let some things slide because people are rude morons but its attitudes like chunky monkeys that let guests or customers be disrespectful. i dare that man who hit slater to do something like that outside of an airport i bet if he hit him on the street or something the first words out of his mouth wouldve been im sorry. but no because that man felt comfortable and should i say protected by the fact the he is a customer he can do and say whaterver he wants to slater. its unacceptable. and to pee or spit in someones drink...? thats definetly not the correct response. bottom line is that employers should NOT let their employees be disrespected they need to draw the line somewhere. sometimes it is worth it to lose a client. who wants a rude client anyways??

So how does acting like an idot flight attendant offer an example for idiot passengers to follow. Why are so many people so ready to hit someone or hit someone back? Acting like an idiot is the problem, whether someone is a passenger or a flight attendant. The passenger could not control themselves, the flight attendant couldn't either, They are different how?

I been flying all of my life and in the past few years (4-5 to be exact) the "flight attendants" act as if I am doing them a favor to be on their flight. It's not only the attendants anymore either it's all airline staff. I use to work for one of the best airline companies out there and I have been flying since I was months old. TWA had some of the best Stewardess and Stewards around. They were polite and kind and treated the customers with respect and got respect in return. I am going to go out on limb and say that "mr" Slater was probably rude the whole entire flight and got his just dessert in the head. Pun was intended. I have been poked and bumped into, made to feel as though I am a pain in the ass for needing to use the restroom and many many more things by "flight attendants". Maybe the airlines should do a litte restructuring and train their employees that we are doing them a favor by flying their airline. We are putting bread on their tables and putting money in their pockets by flying with them. Maybe just Maybe they should learn to start treating us with a little respect again and in turn they will receive respect. Just a thought!!

Not smart in condoning this mans behavior and actions. You are now encouraging others to behave in this manner each and every time something goes wrong or they don't get their way.

Grow up and act like mature adults people!

You can't please everyone...

Finally someone with commom sense I agree with you 500%

I am an aircraft mechanic and no one has the right to behave in that manner. Remember he also took beer on his stupid jump down the slide. Big deal one person is mean to you. What gave the moron the right to start yelling at the passengers, take beer, deploy a 100k slide, and jump off the flight? This stupid moron needs to join the ranks of all the stupid people in jail. If I were a passenger on a flight and the waiter started yelling at me I would call 911 as soon as the aircraft pulled into the gate. I would get security in the airport and swear out a citizens' arrest when I entered the airport. Flight attendants are trained to deal with people, such as a waitress in a bar. The heck with people stepping on my rights, he interfered with a flight and should be prosecuted as such.

I have not seen anything reporting that the passenger was arrested, why not? If the passenger was not arrested, why wast he TSA not doing their job????

As far as charges, its obvious the prosecutor is trying to make a name from this one, not get justice. As far as reckless endangerment and trespassing, there was no ground crew in the way so there was no reckless endanger, someone actually has to be endanger to prove that. Trespassing, he was employed there, he was not trespassing. Criminal mischief, that is what the passenger did, not him, the passenger and the TSA should be on trial for this one. He should be terminated though as his response was not proper, but not illegal either.

Once again, now its all about the lawyers fame and money.

I read an article where someone said they overheard him talking about how he was glad to be out of the job and that he had other plans anyway. I think part of his plan was to get his 15 minutes and his poor, put-upon self on tv. At least he opened a spot for someone else to have a job.

I had an idea to create a service workers union. You want us to sit there and take it, loose our dignity, lose our minds, do it for life, doing all the work and making crap, gonna die sick and hurt cause we don't have a retirement, and all the while apologize and smile becuase you think that is the best way to keep business. People have no respect for us and definatly not for any company that does this to their employees. Assult, Abuse, Harassment apply to us too. I'd like to see what kind of insane demands of us would continue after all service workers going on strike for just one day.

@Brandon (Post 1.2)
"Why would anyone vote if they "don't know?""

Because your choices essentially are:

1) hero
2) snark and insult
3) snark and insult
4) only other option left.

I don't think he's a hero, I don't think he's an idiot and I don't think he's crazy. I think he got fed up dealing with self-important jerks who continually fail to follow instructions and he let his temper get the better of him.

this is the main reason I won't go on any airplane

The hassle is not worth getting anywhere by air

I drive but could be persuaded to take a train if the government would get it's thumb out and build a high speed system

All you people who say he is an "idiot" and should have acted a certain way...can you all say for sure you have never "lost it" on someone? Tread lightly folks...for fear of sounding hypocrytical...

Let's all grow up.

If the passenger would of been seated like she was supposed to I mean afterall the "sealt belt" sign was on and they were heading in for a landing, this would not of happened in the first place. The attendant would of followed the rules because he knew them and the inicident would not of happened at all. This is another case of people thinking they are above the rules. So what going to happen now, rather than take care of the passenger, we will all wind up having a bar like in the amusement parks come down over us when we sit on a plane until the seat belt light goes off then again when it comes back on because this passenger did not act like a grown up.

Lol..thats actually not a bad idea...

The bar, its going to happen no way in this country do we do anything to the 5% that cause the issue, we cater to them its the 95% that pay for it.

What I would like to know; Why was this passenger not charged with assault for inficting a laceration to Mr. Slater's forehead with his stupid carry on bag?

Ultimately, that's what caused Mr. Slater to react the way he did.

What many of you seem to be saying is that only the flight attendant had an excuse to act badly, not the woman? Don't we all have our "reasons" including the passenger?

If it was the woman's poor behavior that sparked anything, how does is additional poor behavior excused? I worked in the service industry for a while too, the rude and clueless people went with the territory, I got out because I wanted to do other things. I'd go out with people I worked with while in the industry and some of them would be rude to the person serving them or leave a low or no tip because they fellt being in the business, they could judge the server's performance and whether it was "deserving" of a tip and what size tip. Most others I worked with felt like I do, that people are workng hard to make a living and deserve to some recognition for that when they do. At the same time, there are some service people, like the ones mentioned above who are clueless and rude. When they are, do they deserve to be rewarded for it, just because they work in the service industry and it's many times thankless work or should someone clue them in that they are rude and do a poor job? If someone were to clue them in and they flew off the handle thinking they're not the one that is wrong, everyone else is wrong, but them, are they heroes or just offering more bad behavior?

I believe it is important to separate objective and subjective here and think of bad behavior as bad behavior, whether it is a passenger who behaves badly or a flight attendant. Otherwise we'll find ourselves either conflicted or having to be fulfledged hypocrites when someone goes off on us because we weren't paying attention and offered an excuse for someone to go grab a weapon and start shooting because they had "had it up to here!". Bad behavior is bad behavior, don't condone it no matter who does it.

Tyler

Actually I own my own consulting company and am very successful. I have actually created jobs during this recession and gasp without government assistance. I support this guy for one simple reason. People are full of themselves and beleive that they are above any rule that causes them to not get instant gratification. As I stated in my earlier thread, I thank every filght attendant I see, and having been on probably more flights than you ever will be on, I see what happens to these people. They do not deserve the treatment they get from their fellow human beings. Granted there are some bad ones but from what I have seen about this guy he was doing his job the passenger was not doing hers.

This whole situation is a classic example of why the FAA should require airlines to have air marshalls on all flights...

And now to smooth things over and for Jet Blue to try to save face they're giving all the passengers on that flight - including the idiot that started this whole mess - a $100 voucher!?!

I understand their reasoning for doing this - try to keep the customers happy, but I'm guessing this will only backfire in the end. So if on every flight a passenger gets into it with a flight attendent does that mean the airlines will be handing out more voucher? Bad precedent.

Have worked in customer service in the past. With a new call center having arrived in town looking to hire 1200 employees...have been asked why I didn't apply for one of these jobs. What happened on this plane is exactly the reason. Even being underemployed is better than having to deal with people like this passenger day-in...day-out.

All you people that blame the attendant for being rude himself. You're just trying to justify why you are rude to flight attendants. You need to learn some manners yourselves. Not only with flight attendants but every body you deal with during the day. Thank somebody when they hold the door for you when you're exiting a store or entering. That is my biggest beef. People are just so rude today. I dn't blame him. I feel like slamming the door on some of these a holes.

Bingo.

I read somewhere in this thread that the evac slide "is not dangerous" and its our "nanny-culture" thats makes it out that way. Well being an aviation mechanic for the past 5 years i know those things are dangerous to anyone on the other side of that evac slide.

I agree. Been there and wished I could have done the same.

Wish I could have been there...I would have led the plane in applause for him! What an exit, I can't stop smiling!

What does acting like more of a jerk to a jerk prove? What about all the other passengers who were delayed because of these two?

Our society needs to grow up, build some character, and get educated! We are acting like a bunch of dumb, amoral, spoiled brats who cannot reason.

"What does acting like more of a jerk to a jerk prove?" Sometimes it just makes you feel better. When you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And his job has beer and a slide..LUCKY! Lighten up dorrit, sometimes life just gets overwhelming, but apparently it's perfect in your bubble.

Also a former flight attendant - Given that frequently the passengers are obnoxious, or 'difficult' - that's sadly very common because also given that in this day and age - flying is NOT fun anymore for anybody. Nevertheless, the flight attendant was way off-base in pulling that stunt. Totally irresponsible. Yeah, he should get some other kind of job and as for the turkey passenger - well, like I said - it comes with the territory - or plane!

i am not now nor was i ever a flight attendant. i don't envy what they have to handle on some flights.

when i fly, i prepare myself to be patient for stupid actions that some passenger is bound to do during my flight. there's always the lady who has to run to the bathroom after we've pulled out from the gate and are taxi-ing to take off. or some jerk that has to get his overhead luggage about 20 seconds after the front tire has lifted off. and why exactly does that man in row 16 think he should have access to first class bathroom when he didn't pay for it? and those are just dumb enough. but for the truly unruly passengers, like those who board while drunk or who would hit you on the head with luggage, perhaps the time is coming to ban them. it would make travelling a whole not nicer without the worst among us on a plane along with us.

Amen Opus! Amen!

Guess that gives me the right to act in an irrational manner next time I'm dealing with an idiot flight attendant.

He's an idiot and far from a "hero".

i guess you think the passenger was a saint too R. Scalzo? The customer was the idiot that started this crap... the flight attendant was just doing his job until the point he pulled the beer and took a leap off of a plane! Haven't you ever thought that maybe they were the ones being "abused" by rude, obnoxious, holier than thou, self righteous snobs?

OhComeOn:

Why not consider all the other passengers on the plane rather than just the two people having public tantrums? Who missed an important meeting? Who was given added stress while on their way to a funeral or for medical treatment? Who was feeling bad and couldn't wait to get home? Who paid good money for a flight only to have it ruined by two people acting out? Character does not lighten up; it is either there or not there.

And no, no bubble of perfection here...just respect of my fellow human beings, especially those who are caught in the wakes of those who are so caught up in themselves that they have no regard for others.

Yeah, there are a-holes everywhere, but they're PAYING a-holes who PAY your salary.

Get a life, get a clue, or get your own damn business to run and see how long you stay in business with that attitude.

So, following that logic, does paying someone's salary entitle the 'boss' (employer) to behave like an [sic expletive]? Speaking of "see how long you stay in business," Slater was employed in that job for 20 years, so could you walk a mile in his shoes? We weren't there as witnesses, and it seems that it was not a situation handled well by either party, but I doubt that your premise, (laced with profanity and supported only by an attitude of arrogance, entitlement and intolerance), is widely supported in civilized society.

Get a life, get a clue, or get your own damn business to run and see how long you stay in business with that attitude.

I own a business and if I dont like the customer I had and still do wont supply my services.

customer satisfaction is number one in business and its success but some customers aren't worth the effort, you know the obnoxious ones that will never say anything good but will complain about the most trivial thing. Customers like this aren't worth my time and trey can go some where else.

Welcome to real world business 101

caseybg....Please give me a break...Airline professionals, like any professional in any field, are required to handle situations according to policy. No one is stupid and know this fact, so did he. His actions were reckless and has become a famous due to its entertain value only. Unlike any other industry, the airline industry revolves around the safe transportation of it's passengers and need to be held to a higher standard due to this. Despite this ass of a passenger, his actions were not that of an airline professional who is mandated to follow FAA guidelines and should be held accountable and NOT hailed as a hero.

So as professionals shouldn't they receive professional salaries if some airline pilots working are only making 30,000 a year I could only imagine the pay a flight attendant makes. Policies are only as good as the benefits they carry for following the rules.

Want professional people treat and pay them as professionals.

As the saying goes you get what you pay for

This day and age?! Dude, you are soooo 2001.

Exactly, he didn't threaten anyone, just a few WORDS of endearment and left. Smart thing to do so as to not cause panic for the other passengers still aboard. If the woman had followed instructions it wouldn't have happened, but so many people do this. HELLO, its for your safety moron. If you got hurt then you'd be the first one to sue and probably collect some sort of settlement. It's idiots that think rules don't apply to them that caus eall these problems. If only people could be banned from flying for failure to follow the reules, but that won't happen cause there would be alot of people banned and then profits would dip.

Where were the flight marshalls guess it was not worth blowing there cover.

this is what we call a hero?

heroes jump on top of grenades, heroes jump in front of a car to save a child, heroes will die for others...

cowards tuck their tails and run...

He's a loser and he knew he was in trouble, so stealing the two beers was meant to try and numb his stupidity, and then later blame it all on the beer he had probably been drinking during flight. The man is an idiot. He needs a mental evaluation. Maybe he was in the sun too long and fried his brain.

There's even stupid talk about making a film on this already. Please! What kindof dumbazzzes would want to see a man on a plane lose his marbles over a luggage bump and no apology.

The need to put it on America's Dumbest Videos. I'm sure he will be in the top three, and come out losing there too with all the profanity he used over the PA system.

DK60

The real idiot in this drama is the uncooperative passenger. Here's your sign! (stupid sign)

How do you know this? You weren't on the plane. The passenger accidently dropped the bag on him and possibly tried to apologize, but the belligerent nut-case wasn't listening to the passenger who was trying to apologize to him. We only heard one side of the story, This numbnut was looking for some one to take out his aggressions out on. This is why it happened this way. He needs therapy and a mental evaluation, and maybe Jetblue should offer counseling to these people that are belittled by the customers. But the stewardess need to file paperwork on all these incidents to prove that these things are actually happening. I have been on planes many times over and never witnessed any rudeness or violence on a plane. My complaint about the airlines are fat people and crying babies.

Chunky, he asked the woman to apologise (he has a big knot on his head; it wasn't just a bump) and she refused. Then called him someone who has intercourse with his mother when she couldn't get her bag immediately upon arrival.

He's now facing the music for dealing with her that way; he'll get fired for sure. But what about the passenger who caused all this? Nothing.

"Nothing" is exactly right. My sister is a flight attendant and, boy howdy, can she tell you some stories about passengers that you wouldn't believe. For example: the airline sometimes carries the body of a fallen soldier. When the plane reaches the gate, the passengers are requested to stay seated out of respect for the soldier until the body is taken off the plane. On one flight, everyone stayed seated and quiet, respecting the soldier - everyone, that is, EXCEPT one man travelling with two bratty teenagers. They refused to sit. She came real close to threatening bodily harm if they didn't sit down and shut up.

She could write a book about the "it's all about me" passengers!

I love how Steven Slater "quit" his job...and now everyone is saying..."oooh...he's gonna get fired or suspended"...The Guy Quit!!! duh

Listen to all of the "Eye Witnesses", the only person who claims there was an unruly passenger is the fruit-loop who deployed the slide. Did he get the knot on his head from the womans bag as she tried to yank it back out of the overhead? (If this was the same person who's bag was to be checked prior to flight, he stewed for 90 minutes before announcing his piteous whine over the P.A.) Was it even the same passenger? Did he smart off to and her cause her to call him a name or what? I sure as he!! don't know and unless anybody else was there, I am guessing I'll wait for the investigation.

You sound like someone who would swear at a flight attendant when they asked you to sit down, just before you then hit them with your carry-on.

Dude have another beer before you join a discussion with reasonably intelligent people.

It would help if the airline would book enough time to get to the connecting flight. Enter gate 1, depart gate 10,000 in concourse Andromeda with 45 minutes to make a 1.5 hour run!

No one should be standing near the plane until the jetway connects to the door, just the flagman. The attendant knew that.

You know, when people treat you disrespectfully only because of the position you hold, they deserve what ever whacked thing might be coming to them. I suppose it makes them feel BIGGER than the person trying to serve them? One of these days, one of my many rude customers is going to be clocked!

Exactly and well said. Acting no better than the passenger only validates the passenger's bad behavior.

I work with the public and these 2 comments seem to discount the fact that this was likely the millionth time someone was rude and a complete ash-hole. Everyone has their limits, and if I got hit on the head (a trigger tripper) while trying to deal with a prick-ly customer, I would have pounded his arse right there in the plane. Professionally. He did well to restrain himself that well. And he knew there were no crew outside yet.

He should claim diminished capacity because of his head injury.

The thing I'm waiting for in all this is the name of the passenger who caused all of this. Will be VERY funny watching them try to talk their way out of this.

I'm a nurse and I deal with idiots and their idiot family members every day. I've been sworn at, puked on, spit at, hit, pinched, told to shut up, all while trying to help and heal people. Nurses are public servants as are flight attendants. Do I swear at them and have a baby tantrum because they don't listen to me...no, I just pull the bandage a little tighter when I dress their wounds, or jab that needle a little deeper into the muscle ha ha! ONLY KIDDING, I have THOUGHT that but would never do it. Point being we all have thoughts of what we want to do to people that push us to the limits, and they doooooo push because they KNOW we are there to serve them. Steve's mistake is he shouldn't have gone beyond the thought of it. Shame on the airline and the authorities for not making that law breaking, rude passenger accountable. I'm with the person who stated they wouldn't fly Jet Blue if she wasn't punished.

Fast Eddie....likely not.

The poor behavior of passengers is the number one reason I avoid flying. I don't understand their behavior at all (I have flow for business for 25 years). I wish fees would double to bring back civility to flying, and restore the sense of having a profession to employees.

U sound like the GOV., take all their money then they will behave. U weren't the one who popped the emergency door were u?
Whacko boy needs some rent free for awhile.

No, he is not entitled to unemployment benefits because he quit. He could have gotten worker's comp. for the whole thing, easily. Now he'll need an attorney.

There will be dozens of attorneys offering to help him pro-bono for the chance to get some publicity. He will likely get a few spots on the tube for some needed vacation cash, and after about 6-12 weeks penalty he will likely get his bennys.

He's better off for his tirade.

Not defending bad behaviour, but by the time TSA gets through bullying and humiliating you and you wait on the tarmac for a long time in the heat with other grumbling passengers not even being allowed to get up to pee I am quite done with it myself.

I do agree with you. Rudeness was a bad choice when he could have handled it nicely.

When airlines charge for baggage, tickets, pillows and food then then are totally rude what would this flying waitress expect. It was not right but with all this going on and being in this industry one would have to believe that you would eventually have bad attitudes its the nature of the buisiness, suck it up but not by doing something stupid like endangering the rest of the passengers who did nothing to you whacko.

Take out your frustration on the industry by abusing the attendants? Do you curse and smack the teen serving fries because they're causing obesity? Thick in the head you are indeed.

The attendant could of waited till the end of the flight and just quit. What about all the others that did not do anything to him? He acted like the child he is. Ignorant like some us are?

They should have landed the jet and had the first idiot arrested. Instead this produced two idiots.

The guy was an idiot. First, you have a passenger who is an idiot, whom other passengers know is the problem. If they get delayed, they know the reason.

Now you have another idiot, who works for the airlines who decides to be immature, gets off the plane, and delays their trip even longer. $5.00 says that a good amount of the passengers are not going to go on that plane or any plane because of the way the flight attendant acted.

And $20.00 says that the flight attendant will get fined, arrested, etc. for pulling this stunt when there was not an emergency. It's like pulling a fire alarm at your workplace and there is no fire; your company can have you fined/taken to court for a false emergency.

oh please

Well, looks like I was right about the $20.00; the cops did arrest him a number of hours later according to another article.

Jim, not every flight has a "sky marshall" on them. This one may not have.

because the only thing the cops do is threaten just enough to "scare" them then they go on there merry way to torment the next flight attendant who has gone out of their way to treat the passenger with the respect that they in turn should get. there are 130 to 150 passengers on every plane and 3 to 4 flight attendants and on average 1/3 of those are people who think they should be treated like royalty and feel the flight attendant should be there slave when there are 129 more passengers on the plane. The guy should have never been out of his seat and kudos to Steve for not punching the @#$hole before leaving!!!!!!!!!!

I too am married to an F/A (she has been one for over 40 years) and she always has a story about the jackass that felt the price of his ticket gave controlling interest in the airline, but she also has stories about passengers that are very kind and helpful.

Any flight attendant that couldn't deal with a passenger that stood up before arrival at the gate except to embarrass himself in that manner was not suitable for the job in the first place.

How would he handle a real emergency? Panic? Faint?

Jim....calling folks idiots reduced your post's effectiveness.

When is the last time insulting people changed their minds ? I did agree with your thoughts....but didn't quite see the linkage to this article. The attendent didn't sue the guy, no discrimination was alleged. The passenger wasn't unruly...just inconsiderate (not a sky marshall issue).

All I saw him do is vote with his feet. But I do get your point...kind of

Scatzo, you're a schmuck, sit down and shut up

Scalzo, you sir are an idiot. how would you like to be sh*t on all day everyday by rude people and continue to smile. Seems like you have a little aggression. I'll bet this guy would have handled the pressure of an emergency. He knew his job. If he smacked the woman for hitting him with her luggage thats another story. All he did was share a few words of endearment for the woman using the PA on the plane which I would have laughed my butt off about and then he grabs a couple of beers and makes a grand exit. He didn't threaten nor hurt anyone by his actions. BRILLIANT

I think the Airline industry should inmediately begin charging customer for their handbagggggggssssss at least 500.00 so no more idiots will open the compartment and hit someone in the head again...He's a hero because he did not kick this idiot a...for hurting him and no following directions which by the way very small number fof travelers follows directions anyways specially if you travel on a small airlines that offers lower fares you get to travel with all kind of individuals.. In the other hand jumping off the plane was seriously dangerous which I believe was a reaction of the head trauma. he should sue the passenger for 2 million.

They will have to either reduce attendents or reduce pay and i am sure airline tickets will go up under the taxbama administration. As everything becomes more expencive there will be less jobs to be had.....so jump fool!

you really did it didnt you? you found a way to sneak "bama" (and idont mean the state) into this story. you guys are good..

immature and dangerous sounds postal to me.

what a dramaqueen, ha

Sandyshores, you're right, could be postal, remember that the next time you board that airplane.

.and it was in fact Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) who angered the flight attendant:

http://giveusliberty1776.blogspot.com/2010/08/ok-heres-rest-of-story.html

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who was annoyed that blacks were not being represented by the names chosen for hurricanes. “All racial groups should be represented,” she told The Hill Magazine, adding that she hoped the weather establishment in future “would try to be inclusive of African American names” such as “Keisha, Jamal and Deshawn.”

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who wants to sell F-16 fighter planes to Hugo Chavez.

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who, during a 2005 visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, asked whether the Mars Pathfinder had taken the image of the flag planted on Mars by Neil Armstrong in 1969.

That would be the same Sheila Jackson Lee who, accustomed to having an aide drive her daily, in a government-leased car, back and forth between her Capitol Hill apartment and her congressional office one block away, once told a staffer who had failed to reserve a limousine: “You don't understand. I am a queen, and I demand to be treated like a queen!”

Would anyone have guessed? Oh please, let's hear the rest of the story.

To the one who said "u don't know what the customer had been thru that day" What about what the attendants go thru continuously with customers thinking they are better b/c they pay for a ticket. . . . The attendant was wrong to have done what he did, but that customer was way wrong in not apologizing. . .common courtesy and good sense could have ended this without media attention. . . but lets face it bad day or not sometimes u have to suck it up and get thru the day and THANK GOD you made it!!

Bosses and Managers are suck ups who got promoted due to the placement of their nose in the crack. We have all been mad at our jobs, no support from "team" menbers, reallly....what team members? It's like the "open door policy" what BS. The next time you interview for a job and the stiff necked "B" says "and my door is always open" yes, yes it is; so she can see what the employees who don 't suck up are doing thenshe/he can run out chew some butt and put them on the next unemployment forming. I figure, on the first day of a new job, take in a cardboard box and when asked why....tell the jerk you don't want anyone having to waist their time finding a box for your stuff.The condsending way employeers and their so called Management treat the worker bees you'd think they are all queens. (I don't mean gay either I mean Queen Bee of the office, Ms B--ch, Mr. Horndog. It's called mental disorder or at lease one personality disorder. I love the Country Western song "Take this job and shove it." After being fired, again, I am back at college. I'm goingto get a Master's in Psychology. This is Texas, The Right to Work State which means ya can get canned for no reason. Why don't they just call it The Right to Fire State.

Jean-2177073: You are angry and ill-informed. Right to Work has nothing to do with "getting canned for no reason". Psychology is a great idea - first as a patient then perhaps as a therapist. Good luck to you.

Jean-2177073: Wow! "Bosses and Managers are suck ups who got promoted due to the placement of their nose in the crack." How about they worked hard, are intelligent and don't constantly whine that everything is unfair. You should try doing the job that has been given to you and try doing it well. Employment isn't a right, it is a privilege and you would do well to understand this.

As for this Steve character, I understand that what happened isn't right and was extremely rude. However, that is his job and if he couldn't handle the situation he should have asked for help instead of having a sever lack of control. Try thinking before you act, I know it's really hard but it's a part of life. Grow up...

How about they worked hard, are intelligent and don't constantly whine that everything is unfair.

That was not my experience when I was in the corporate world rat-race. Don't get me wrong, I've worked for a few great bosses, and while the great one's departments flourished, their careers didn't. They always ended up getting taken down by people that just wanted to use office politics to further their own careers, to hell with other people or the company. Those who were more devious in playing office politics usually went further than those who worked hard and put company, customers, and employees ahead of their own greed. I will say that you're right in that promotions usually had little to do with sucking up though.

And while I generally agree that Jean probably got canned due to attitude, you have admit that Jean was spot on about the "open door policy" bit. I also totally agree about the steve character. Reguardless of the circumstances, everyone has to man up and take responsibility for themselves and their own actions.

Right to Work has nothing to do with "getting canned for no reason".

hmm, actually... yeah it does. More specifically it has to do with whether or not the company has to disclose the reason for termination to the former employee. Some states require disclosure in a feeble attempt to curb discrimination issues, but employers in those states simply come up with a BS reason that could apply to anyone and use that instead, so it really doesn't matter anyway.