By now everyone has heard the tale of JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater.
In case you live under a rock he is the flight attendant that spilled a F-bomb-filled rant on passengers before grabbing a few cold ones and sliding off a plane at JFK. Apparently, Slater was hit in the head with a suitcase during an altercation with passengers about overhead compartments.
I will admit his story is fascinating. Everyone has, at one point, wanted to chew someone out and tell their employer to “take this job and shove it.”
But when you work with the public you have to take what they give — no matter how much the public really sucks.
By making Slater into a hero we may be sending a message that this type of behavior is acceptable. Anyone who works with the public knows cursing out a customer, no matter how rude they are being, is a first-class ticket to unemployment.
So enjoy the story, make jokes and dream about a time when you can just slide out of your job into happiness. Just remember to keep it in your head because — unlike Slater — we would be out of a job without the 15 minutes of fame.
(I welcome any comments, suggestions and criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)
Tags: flight attendant, jet blue, Michelle Ganassi, steven slater