■ 12 August 2010 | 10:57 AM
Too soon for sainthood
Don't you just hate it when the facts get in the way of a good story?
That's exactly what's happened with the tale of Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who reportedly went Jerry Springer this week after a passenger hit him in the head with a piece of luggage.
Overnight, Slater became a media darling and the hero of anyone who's ever had a bad day at work. Shoot, a pilot even started an Internet legal defense for him.
Reports initially said that a passenger went for her overhad bag while the jet was still taxiing to the gate. When Slater tried to stop her he was hit by her luggage. After the pushy lady refused to apologize, he reportedly grabbed the intercom and let loose with a tirade aimed at rude passengers. Then Slater grabbed a beer and left the jet via emergency slide.
Great yarn. Unfortunately, New York Magazine says it isn't accurate. In NY's version of events, the encounter with the passenger happened at the beginning of the flight, not the end. And other passengers are quoted saying that Slater's behavior was odd throughout the flight.
Rats. There goes Slater's chance to replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol."
What surprised me was the public sympathy that was instantly sent Slater's way. Apparently these Slater fans are folks who hate their jobs and never fly. Anyone who uses air travel regularly has a list of gripes about the airline industry as long as a runway.
It's inconcievable that a passenger who snapped after interminable delays, cancelled flights or rude treatment by airline personnel (that happens too, believe me) would be hailed as a hero. Nope, Homeland Security would have that hothead in a holding cell.
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Media is king
We should all remember that we live in the media/salesmanship age. As this article points out, there are several versions of this story as there are with every story ever told. Look a the Bible there are 4 versions of Jesus's life. ( I know Jesus has nothing to do with this story but what-da-hey this is an opinion piece).
While I can feel the Flight Attendent's frustration and the Passanger's equil frustration, we must all learn to control our emotions. Even thought the media tries to stock the fires of our anger, hate, and frustration we must learn that emotion is not logic or fact.
My advice is stick with NPR, C-Span, and the written word (Newspapers). Avoid the emotion media such of FoxNews, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NBC, ABC, XXBC, and most other broadcast media.
Steven Slater
I have approximately 2.5 million miles on commercial flights. this illegitimate child, Steven Slater is a poster boy for all flight attendants. His arrogant, belligerent and discourteous conduct hits the nail on the head. When the airlines lose money and stare bankruptcy in the face, they should dump the unions and look hard at their most visible people....their flight attendants. I'll never fly commercial air again. This was decided about 10 years ago. This SOB just triggered my memory of very bad service and attitudes of the airline flight attendants.
Wow!!!
Wow!!! You certainly have had a phenomenal bad streak of luck during your long travel history. I have never had a less than courteous interaction with a flight attendant, and I have never seen another passenger have a bad interaction, either. Are you sure it's all their fault?
Watching this morning's broadcast interviews with passengers,
it sounds more like a case of male menopause.
Do the Facts Matter?
Perhaps the underlying facts are irrelevant in this iconic story. Mr. Slater was in the right place at the right time to blow his fuse and gain international attention. Anything that happens during an airline flight is news and with passenger morale at an all time low, and employee morale everywhere at an all time low, Mr. Slater became an instant hero. If his employer and the FAA allow Mr. Slater to return to flight duty – (unlikely) – admiring passengers will be asking for his autograph. More likely, Mr. Slater’s next stint with the public will be Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night!
Concerning
It seems very odd that there are actually folks cheering this man's actions. The public's admiration for this unstable criminal is unbelievable. Suppose this nut's job was sitting at a console in our air defense center and he became frustrated at his job so he pushes a button and fires off a missle.
I am it seems not getting all of my memos
When did we outsource the air defense center's button pushing job to Jet Blue?
Ah, Yaas,
Dr. Strangelove all over again!
Gentlemen! You can't fight in here!
This is the war room!
(Best movie quote ever lol)
PC
Of course it seems like everybody's supporting him. Those who do not support him are keeping quiet be cause they don't want to be accused of being biased against homosexuals. Just like with minorities, you can't tell anyone they are wrong without the race card being played. If you speak out against Mr. Slater's actions, somebody is likely to play the "gay card."