JetBlue flight attendant in New York curses at passenger then deploys emergency slide and leaves plane
NEW YORK, NY -- Today at New York's JFK airport a JetBlue flight attendant cursed at a customer loudly over the PA system, then grabbed a can of beer and deployed the emergency chute and escaped the plane, reports the New York Times.
Before he left, Slater announced:
"To the f*ing a**hole that told me to f*ck off, it's been a good 28 years," and promptly deployed the emergency slide and used it to get off the plane, says KTVU
Steven Slater had been with JetBlue for several years but today it seemed he'd just had enough.
Slater was later arrested at his home for criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, says the New York Post
What happened was that a customer tried to retrieve his luggage from the overhead compartment, but was asked by Slater to sit back down as the plane was still approaching the gate. All passengers were to remain seated with their seat belts fastened until the plane came to a complete stop.
World travelers know the routine by now....
But one passenger refused to listen and actually hit Slater on the head with his suitcase, possibly by accident, as he was pulling his case out of the overhead bin, says the NY Times.
When Slater asked for an apology, the customer gave him a foul retort instead and it was to that response that Slater made the public announcement.
After cussing out the customer over the PA system, Slater grabbed a can of beer, popped it open and then deployed the emergency slide, before making his way to his car and driving home.
A neighbor and friend of Slater's, Bruce Babasso, 65, told the press, ""I can’t believe Steve’s on the run. He’s like OJ Simpson. He must have snapped."
The flight, from Pittsburgh, had around 100 passengers on board and nobody else was harmed.
JetBlue said in a statement, "At this time, we are working with the FAA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to investigate the incident," reports newser.com
Many world travelers and flight attendants on the internet message boards have said it can be tough to deal with difficult customers and not be allowed to say anything back.
Some are saying that Slater is a hero for standing up for himself.
What do YOU think?
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San Francisco residents can follow this and other news stories on San Francisco news station KTVU.
Re travel: San Francisco world travelers can find deals online at www.kayak.com and they can fly to just about anywhere in the world from SFO International airport. JetBlue flies from SFO to various destinations around the States.
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Comments
Jim, Sorry to hear but Your friend should contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for a free consultation, here is a good one that I know www.it.ly/aK73S0 wish she feels better soon
..insane what the flight attendants have to deal with these days!
Phhh.... JetBlue should promote this gentleman for actually defending their own safety rules. Being service is one thing, but where does it say that you have to take abuse to do your job? Not even a street hustler has to take that kind of behaviour by this passenger, who not only is in the wrong, but apparently has no education, manners or any kind of social skills that give reason to believe he took part in what we call "evolution".
And what's there to investigate in? Jesus Christ... give me an effin' break! Yes, Slater is a hero by all means!
Let's boycott Jet Blue until they hire Steven back. If my old 7th grade teacher had encountered that passenger, she would have picked her up by the ears and taken her to the back of the plane and banged her head on the wall to knock some sense in her. It worked for Sister Mary Joseph's misbehaving students.
I think both sides need a little anger management. Attendants do have to put up with a lot but so do passengers who are now charged for everything. Store clerks also put up with customer grief. Now is not a happy time because so many people are out of work or stressed doing double work.
Jodie is right - anger management for all involved.
its about time there is a new headlines, tired of the repeat headlines all the time, this one is more exciting news, than any other news. He is the greatest "American Hero". it's about time someone got a big pair to stand up. You my boy "blue'.
Let's face it, we all know that what this guy did was wrong and nevertheless handled the situation in a matter that we have all pictured in one way or another. The only difference here is that Slater actually had the balls to pull it off. Sure, he could have filed a report of sorts to the airline and at best the customer would have been asked to explain what happened. But the reality here is one that we all face when it comes to "customer service" in this country, people can and will exploit "service" in doing so, act like nothing less than spoiled brats. The "customer is always right" theory will forever hold its weight, but ignorance and disrespect should never be a valid excuse. And although Slater will be in a lot of hot water for his acts, at least he had the balls to act out what many of us have day dreamed of doing, at one point or another.
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