'I just wish I had a beer and emergency ramp in my office to get out'

On Monday, Jet Blue flight attendant Steven Slater left his job in spectacular fashion. Rosita Bolandexamines the response to his actions, and those of his wayward passenger

EMERGENCY EXITS on aircraft are among the least used pieces of onboard equipment. However, on Monday, Jet Blue flight attendant Steven Slater used the emergency chute on Flight 1052 into New York to make a quick exit from the job he had been doing for more than 20 years.

Coming in to land, Slater had asked a passenger who stood up to retrieve their luggage from the overhead bin to sit down. Not only did the expletive-heavy passenger refuse to obey him, the bag fell out, and cracked the flight attendant on the head. Slater asked for an apology. None was forthcoming.

It’s unlikely anyone on that flight will forget what happened next. As it landed, Slater got on the public address system and swore at said passenger, along the lines of “To the f****** a****** who called me a mother******, f*** you. I’ve been in the business 28 years. I’ve had it. That’s it!” He rummaged in a fridge, extracted at least one can of beer, inflated the emergency chute, and left the aircraft, shouting “It’s been great!”.

Since then, the story of “Jet Blue Man” has made headlines all around the world. He was arrested on Tuesday, and charged with various things, including “criminal mischief”. He may face a jail sentence. When released on bail, he discovered he had become a folk hero for all those who have endured obnoxious behaviour while trying to carry out their job.

Here is a sample of the comments thousands of people around the world have made:

The New York TimesCity Room blog

– “This will be hard to explain on his job interviews.”

– “The prayers of writers for late-night shows have been answered.”

– “I like this story a lot. I’d like to see more scenes like this on TV, maybe I would watch then.”

– “I am astounded on a daily basis at the self-centeredness of my fellow city dwellers.

As for the flight attendant, he didn’t go far enough. He should have pushed the moron passenger out the door without the chute deployed.”

– “That passenger was most likely in nicotine withdrawal.”

– “The excitement and the bump on the head undoubtedly pushed his stress button to the max and a flood of adrenaline and cortisol made him do it. Really, he may have been in shock and reacted in a fight or flight mode that can sometimes come as an automatic reaction.”

– “We all have our limits. And the customer is not always right.”

– “I can’t stop laughing. Hilarious!!! I would pay extra to fly with this flight attendant.”

The Free Steven Slater Facebook group, which has upwards of 20,000 members – there are several other groups:

– “Seven years in jail sounds like a complete bull****. The man is my hero.”

– “This is the most fabulous way to quit a job. I think giving Steven “the Key to the City” would be more appropriate than a prosecution. This man deserves to make a fortune.”

The Sydney Morning Herald

– “Doesn’t really sound like he should be charged with anything. Except maybe the price of the beer.”

– “This guy should be given a medal, and the passenger a lawsuit.”

– “Outstanding form. Inspired technique. Lovely dismount. The sponsors will be scrambling to sign up this one.”

– “Awesome! Who hasn’t wanted to rage-quit their work day at some point? I love the fact that he grabbed a beer too. A new personal hero is born.

Canadian CBC News wesbite

– "I saw this in the New York Timesyesterday and nearly died laughing . . . Who seriously hasn't had one of those days? I just wish I had a beer and emergency ramp in my office to get out."

– “Steven Slater has done what just about no one or nothing else has ever been able to do. CBC posters, regardless of their political stripe, favourite hockey team, and differences of opinion in virtually any and every matter, seem to be almost unanimously united in their support of him.”