Air steward storms off plane on emergency slide
An airline flight attendant who swore at an unruly passenger before storming out of his plane via the emergency inflatable slide has been arrested in New York.
By Robert Winnett
Published: 12:33AM BST 10 Aug 2010
Flight attendant Steven Slater ranted over the intercom, passengers said.
Steven Slater, 39, argued with a passenger in America who was attempting to retrieve his hand luggage from an overhead compartment while the plane from Pittsburgh to New York was still moving on the runway.
When the passenger abused Mr Slater, the "runaway" flight attendant appears to have lost his temper and dramatically resigned.
He grabbed the intercom and said: "To the passenger who called be a mother ------, ---- you.
"I've been in the business 28 years. I've had it. That's it."
Mr Slater then activated the emergency exit and slid down the inflatable slide on to the tarmac.
He then boarded a train to the terminal, stripping off his tie and discarding it to the astonishment of bemused onlookers.
He then drove to his nearby home. He was quickly arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
Mr Slater is a long-standing flight attendant who worked for budget airline Jet Blue.
According to his online profile, he has previously worked for other airlines.
His arrest appears to have triggered an online movement, with others who work in jobs which bring them in to contact with rude customers demanding his release.
Air steward storms off plane on emergency slide - Telegraph