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Airline Steward "Having a Bad Day" at JFK Pulls Emergency Chute, Flies Coop

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A flight attendant on a plane that had just landed at Kennedy Airport on Monday afternoon ran out of patience only a few steps from the terminal gate, so he cursed a blue streak over the public address system, pulled the emergency chute and ran away, sources said. (www.nbcnewyork.com) More...

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jeyrivera89
Jesus Rivera 0
Haahaaahaha! I would have loved to have been on that flight...
PeteDiddy4142
Peter Wine 0
Just a reminder to all passengers, pissed off Steward exits are at the front. And at the rear of the plane. Don't forget to take your complementary beer as you jump out of the aircraft. Have a nice flight, and remember... JETBLUE Cares.
beki
beki stinton 0
LOL!!!!....:-)..
Smerkbich
Sue Merk 0
Best. Way. To. Quit. Your. Job... EVER!!!! Total WIN!! I work at a Charter company, and would love to hire this guy.. he's awesome.
johncotton
John Cotton 0
Already there is a Free Steven Slater Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Steven-Slater/144193358941536?v=wall&ref=search
joelr
Joel Rodriguez 0
Steven is a bonafide legend in the airline industry now! BONAFIDE!!! I just wish someone had youtube'd this when it happened. Hehee
murrellp
murrellp 0
And I suppose said passenger will receive several hundred thousand free travel miles for " being inconveinced "
jpclowes
John Clowes 0
The passenger is the one who should be arrested. Isn't it a felony to not follow the instructions of a flight crew?
pilotntrng
Brad Harris 0
Been in the airline business close to 10 years. This is the funniest thing I have ever heard of . ha ha.
kwoody
Keith Woody 0
Maybe prozac should be required in the cabin as well.
gftt
gftt 0
Was arrested in the midst of sex.
I wonder if that was with hisself or another tweety bird?
Tra la la la laaa....
letahardy
Leta Hardy 0
If a passenger had acted this way, you would all want them to get jail time. Steve Slater should get the full letter of the law for his behavior. There is no fun in air travel these days, frustrated crew and gate staff, angry passengers. The entire experience leaves something to be desired. But Steve Slater's behavior is not "heroic" it’s reprehensible.
boughbw
boughbw 0
I would hardly call it "reprehensible" for precisely the reasons you cite, Leta. We cannot forever increase the amount of work expected of anyone, continually make the working environment more and more hostile, and pay people less and less and less without repercussions. On top of it all, you know the passenger who instigated the whole incident will never receive jail time; and you get the sense that Mr. Slater knew the airline would give him no backing whatsoever.

Ten years ago, yes, this would be a "reprehensible" act for a member of the flight crew to perform. But my sympathies are fully with the steward. It's classic -- he literally bailed-out.
letahardy
Leta Hardy 0
There were 1000+ passengers who were inconvenienced by his act. Flights delayed, meetings missed, more stress on both sides. As a FF on most major carriers, I assure you flying is one of my least favorite things. It is the cabin/gate crew that sets the tone for customer service. I agree that the work environement is far more difficult than before.
boughbw
boughbw 0
Yes, the stakes are extraordinarily high. This should be a warning sign about the working conditions and what we expect from airlines and what we ought to expect from other passengers.

Think of it this way -- in other professions where employees get this fed-up, a non-trivial number of times they show up a work carrying a gun, not expecting to see the sun set.

I fly frequently, too. I hate delays, too. But if I learned this is what caused my delay, I would say, "I can believe it," and offer no complaints.
takis
Takis Ki 0
leta i think you are off base..
we dont care that you are a frequent flyer..there is code to be followed...dont get up and retrieve your bag during taxi...if you do then at least apologize and sit untill the aircraft comes to a complete stop.
There is a reason the rule is there...
Im sure you are one of these FF that thinks that because you pay you have the right to abuse verbally anyone that you think is beneath you..
Im not a flight attendant but as a pilot of a major airline when i deadhead i see people like you FFS doing their own thing and ignoring the rules .
When a flight attentand tells them to sit they Often curse under their breth and sigh like they have been slapped in the face.
the passenger may have not intended to hit him with her bag but she did.
Can you imagine how many scratches this person took on before he had enough?...
No He was not right opening the door before the chute was dissarmed and there are other ways to do that .
But the IDIOT woman that was ignoring his instuctions is the biggest problem
Remember just because you pay you dont have the right to play...

Shame on you comments..
firesafety552
firesafety552 0
this guy is a basket case...why make him out as a hero...he needs to be in a padded cell......
poppy9952
lolol i'm just glad he didnt decide to do it at 30,000 feet..
poppy9952
oh cmon now,,, I dont care if the woman punched him in the nose you dont risk other lives cause your having a bad day...
Obguy
Daniel Coty 0
I agree that enough is enough. I've been a passenger when I've seen rude behavior, I've even told attendants "I'm sorry that guy/gal is being a jerk". Maybe if we all showed some manners this would not have happened. Maybe, if we acted like 99.9% of flight crews the world would be a better place. I'm always amazed that while the crew stands there saying goodbye, very few people even acknowledge them, let alone say, thanks or have a nice day back to them. I don't agree with Mr. Slater, but boy can I empathize! Really people, a little kindness goes a long way.
joelr
Joel Rodriguez 0
I was a flight attendant for 2 years. No matter how much I smiled, helped others lift bags, made a small joke, handed extra snacks etc... Disgruntled passengers were always and will always be... disgruntled passengers.

I am sure Steven had lots of fun times and made several pleasant memories while being a flight attendant... BUT lets not forget he is human, and not a robot. He has emotions just like the rest of us and we all have breaking points.

He had his moment and hopefully it will highlight the working conditions of flight crew members. I won't call him a hero, but I will support him and tell everyone this... He only did what thousands of us want to do every so often, when shit hits the fan.

He is not reprehensible, a basket case, or crazy. He is a person like the rest of us who had a breaking point. He has gotten a lot of positive PR out of this, and I am sure other doors will open for him.

Hopefully, the FAA, the airlines, and unions will learn from this and try (not holding my breath) to create a more friendly, enjoyable work place for ALL crew members and airline staff.
letahardy
Leta Hardy 0
Takis Ki I could not agree with you more, the FF was absolutely in the wrong. I know the rules and follow them, they are there for my protection as well as the protection of the crew. Flight attnedents are there for my security, not to serve me drinks. No matter what the passenger did, his reponse was innapropriate and illegal.

If the warning signs exist which I beleive they do, address the cause.
letahardy
Leta Hardy 0
Takis Ki I could not agree with you more, the FF was absolutely in the wrong. I know the rules and follow them, they are there for my protection as well as the protection of the crew. Flight attnedents are there for my security, not to serve me drinks. No matter what the passenger did, his reponse was innapropriate and illegal.

If the warning signs exist which I beleive they do, address the cause.
GM62
Gavin Mellor 0
Wow...I don't know why I expected better comments on here than on Yahoo..but I had hoped people here might be more knowledgeable about the industry and realize what a jerk this guy is. First of all...his story is being brought into question since many passengers accuse him of drinking, and did not see anything to provoke him (not to mention all of the passengers who have encountered this rude jerk before). Second, he opened the emergency chute, which is extremely dangerous to ground crew who might have been hit by it. He certainly didn't care enough to check if anyone was in the way of deployment. Last, I'm sick of hearing service industry people complain about dealing with the public. Choose another career path! I deal with rude, arrogant, smelly, noisy and idiotic people every day. They're called my coworkers (and sometimes my boss). I have them day in and day out...very day...for 8+ hours not just a few hours on a flight. They never go away...never change..so I deal...so STFU already!!
GM62
Gavin Mellor 0
Wow...I don't know why I expected better comments on here than on Yahoo..but I had hoped people here might be more knowledgeable about the industry and realize what a jerk this guy is. First of all...his story is being brought into question since many passengers accuse him of drinking, and did not see anything to provoke him (not to mention all of the passengers who have encountered this rude jerk before). Second, he opened the emergency chute, which is extremely dangerous to ground crew who might have been hit by it. He certainly didn't care enough to check if anyone was in the way of deployment. Last, I'm sick of hearing service industry people complain about dealing with the public. Choose another career path! I deal with rude, arrogant, smelly, noisy and idiotic people every day. They're called my coworkers (and sometimes my boss). I have them day in and day out...very day...for 8+ hours not just a few hours on a flight. They never go away...never change..so I deal...so STFU already!!
GM62
Gavin Mellor 0
Wow...I don't know why I expected better comments on here than on Yahoo..but I had hoped people here might be more knowledgeable about the industry and realize what a jerk this guy is. First of all...his story is being brought into question since many passengers accuse him of drinking, and did not see anything to provoke him (not to mention all of the passengers who have encountered this rude jerk before). Second, he opened the emergency chute, which is extremely dangerous to ground crew who might have been hit by it. He certainly didn't care enough to check if anyone was in the way of deployment. Last, I'm sick of hearing service industry people complain about dealing with the public. Choose another career path! I deal with rude, arrogant, smelly, noisy and idiotic people every day. They're called my coworkers (and sometimes my boss). I have them day in and day out...very day...for 8+ hours not just a few hours on a flight. They never go away...never change..so I deal...so STFU already!!
stitch0852
Stitch Babb 0
I have traveled around the world by plane. Almost without exception, as each flight taxis from the runway to the gate, immediately following the STD announcement of, "ladies and gentlemen, welcome to wherever you flew. Please remain seated until the plane reaches the gate and the captain turns off the FASTEN SEAT BELT sign.". At that time you are free to gather your belongings."

I have been flying since 1979 and EVERY flight some will pop the seatbelt and pop up like a rabbit to start gathering their crap.

The lady in question reportedly began this flight with an attitude and ended it there. Watch the news clips. He has a bruise on his forehead, either from her bag or the overhead bin door. Either way, that is assault. The bin doors are not typically heavy enough to cause such a bruise if gravity had caused it to fall open.

I believe in customer service. However, working in the retail industry, as I do, I have had people who take their bad days out on those there to help.

Ordinarily, I would say the flight attendant is wrong. HOWEVER, having seen the GMA reports, I fully believe, in this instance, jumping plane was far better than punching this idiot, inconsiderate woman.

People have long ago forgotten the simple rule of life. It used to be called "The Golden Rule," of Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You.". This applies at the checkout of stores, fast food places, restaurants, and airplanes.

We would all do better to remember and apply it daily. Service personnel, checkout people, hostesses/hosts, etc...we are not being paid minimal wages to put up with crap from every person who has a bad day. We have to, though. Those who abuse people in positions like that know it, yet continue to do so.

Many people inconvenienced, yes. Bringing to light a serious problem with the manners of this country, maybe worth it.

Don't take your bad day out on someone along your day's travels.
poppy9952
so your saying its ok to risk lives since you hit the breaking point? what next.. cops hit breaking point and start shooting there guns.... bus drivers hit there point and start hitting peoples cars.. this guy may have hit his point but save it till your alone and cant hurt no one else.. or see a therapist for god sake. I have been on hundreds of flights and i always thank the people at the door as i leave but never have i seen anyone cause enough trouble that you lose your head...
tail1
I have been a flight attendant for 25 years...I have had my share of passengers who push the envelope, you know you are supposed to stay seated, for god's sake stay seated, and every potential is eliminated. Did Steven endanger lives by what he did? Yes absolutly...thankfully no one else was injured. He will answer for that, in our legal system. I am more bothered by the fact that I have seen anything about the passenger being arrested and charged with the felony interferring with a flight crew member, and assaulting a crew member. Don't set up an FAR and not give us any means of enforcing it. When I started Flying I was issued white gloves, my last recurrent emergency training I was issued hand cuffs...
stitch0852
Stitch Babb 0
If you were asking mr, no, I did not say it is ok to risk lives. I just said I understand why he did what he did and if we ALL were to exercise common courtesy and stop treating those who are there to help us, this problem most likely never would have occurred.

As stated, he will answer for his crimes. However, what of the passenger who did fail to follow flight crew instructions?

If nothing is done to that individual, how long before others feel they don't have to sit when directed? Shutdown electronic items? Wear seat belts? Etc?

I do not trouble flight attendants when on a plane. I comply with written, video, visual,a nd verbal instructions. What happens when someone refuses to? Why hasn't that happened yet? Everyone jumps on the flamboyant flight attendant. He was arrested for his actions. What about the cause? The assault? The refusal to comply?

Or the next time I fly, can I pick and chose which regulations I will follow?

He has been arrested....where is the justice for the still unknown second party in all this?

THAT is what I am saying.

Otherwise, in true American fashion, someone else will do something similar, then another.

Seems the FAA regulations have teeth for Jim, but nothing for the second person. The one who it has been reported stood before she was permitted, caused injury to a flight crew person, and failed to comply with additional instructions (as thebstory has been reported so far).
stitch0852
Stitch Babb 0
Excuse typos. Should read teeth for him...
eagleforce01
Tommy Elliott 0
I agree and disagree with some of these comments. Mr Slater is a well trained professional, but this time he failed to act as one. Sure we all have our bad days and if someone came into your office/place of buiness and cursed you out or did not obey the rules of your office that you would have them thrown out, but in Mr Slaters's and all other flight attendants case they are unable to do so and most of the time they have to take passengers crap flight after flight. I have been in aviation for over 20 years and have seen my share of the good and the bad. We all need to respect one another and treat others as we ourselves would want to be treated.
jjt123
John Timms 0
The idea, when you have a customer service job, is that you can handle the customer. Regardless of the abuse you contend with. So he's fired as far as I'm concerned.
raydorais
Raymond Dorais 0
The flight attendant should have given that stupid customer a good kick in the ... before jumping.
tail1
You cannot simplify a flight attendants customer service job, abuse is not tolerated no matter the circumstance..FA's do not have back up period...you do not know on any flight who is going to hurt you or help you...first responders deserve better.
RAMCO01
Richard Marks 0
As I read all of these comments I can only think, why? I have been flying since the 70s, which makes me an old man. I have flown military, private, scheduled, corporate and charter aircraft in everything from Hueys, DC3s, and jets. Flying use to be enjoyable. I liked getting out of my seat and taking a walk through the cabin, talking to families, flight attendants, and would offer to bring small children to the cockpit to see what it looks like out of the front. Maybe we need to go back to that and remove the stress, tension and anxiety from the flight. Just a thought.
stitch0852
Stitch Babb 0
@ Richard Marks - that sounds like a great idea!
flynavymike
Don't want this kind of employee working for me, ever. The epitome of unprofessional behavior and a bad example for passengers, who may now think that it's OK to use an emergency exit and slide when something's not going their way. Not to be held up as a hero, either. Fire his sorry a$$.

flynavymike
Don't want this kind of employee working for me, ever. The epitome of unprofessional behavior and a bad example for passengers, who may now think that it's OK to use an emergency exit and slide when something's not going their way. Not to be held up as a hero, either. Fire his sorry a$$.
SWEATINTHSWAMP
SWEATINTHSWAMP 0
For those of you that defend Slater's actions, how do you think this guy would respond to a real cabin emergency? It sickens me to see all of these 'hero' posts for a man who obviously is in the wrong career field. I guess the public should be thankful he doesn't cut hair or something.
RAMCO01
Richard Marks 0
Thanks, Stitch. I really like flying charter over scheduled. For one thing, the passengers are not treated as criminals, subjected to arrogant TSA employees, being hassled for bringing a bottle of water with them, forced through scanning machines, frisked searched. No, they are treated with respect. My job is to make them feel comfortable, enjoy the flight. I try to give them the best ride possible and it is very pleasant experience most of the time. I have the cockpit door open and can visit the cabin, allow someone to look up front and generally when we land there is smiles and compliments galore. Yep. A bit like the old days.
dbaker
dbaker 0
I'm on the side of thinking it's inappropriate and an embarrassment. However, I'm surprised that it's a crime. I certainly understand that there should be civil issues between the FA and JetBlue, but the police getting involved doesn't seem like the best use of their time.
EmeraldRocket
Inappropriate but you have to give the guy some style points. I think he should have taken more beer. One man's opinion.
TarikOn
TarikOn 0
I do not think this guy should be appreciated or followed, but I do think that the passenger should have listened to hım. His job is not very easy and when you are flying all day, It doesn,t really help the mood. Hıs actions were unacceptable, yes, but I thınk the passenger should be responsible for her actıons as well.
bludome
DAN GEORGE 0
This is not only not amusing, but reprehensible and should be dealt with in the most expeditious and severe terms. As a flight crew member, he not only knows better but is lucky that he did not kill or hurt the ground crew outside servicing the airplane. He should be jailed and fined to set the example that this is serious business and not some actions of some eccentric folk hero.
VenessaMAE
Curse the Boss Man, cry to your mommy but please if you work with the public, try to have a little class.(coach)
skelly76
skelly76 0
I myself missed the good old days of flying. Started after the DEREG of the late seventies. Flyin got alot cheaper, as did the experience. Perhaps its time to consider REREGulating civil aviation.
pkiser
Paul Kiser 0
The 'facts' of the incident keep changing. Slater has, by his own admission, been wanting to do this for 20 years, and while there was some issue between Slater and a passenger, no one corroborated his story of the incident. Note that his story has had several 'revisions'. My thoughts about this at http://wp.me/pOBw0-qX. While all passengers are made the goat of the airline industry, Slater had the power to legally and forcibly have any passenger detained. Instead he chose to be a drama queen (not a slam at gays) and disrupt the travel plans of hundreds of people. Anyone member of a commercial flight crew who sees him as a hero needs to get out of the airline industry, and preferably not be out in public. I certainly don't want my safety compromised by a flight crew that hates passengers.

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