Steven Slater Jet Blue Flight Attendant

Steven Slater was a JetBlue flight attendant accused of getting into a fight with a passenger, then deploying the plane's emergency chute onto the tarmac and fleeing the scene. Some reports say Slater grabbed a beer from a nearby beverage cart before he slid down the chute, telling passengers, "That's it, I'm done."http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013138-504083.html http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/10/new.york.escape.chute.opened/?hpt=C2

The 38-year-old Slater was taken into custody following the incident at New York's JFK Airport on August 9, 2010. He was arrested at his home in Queens, New York, and charged with reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/nyregion/10attendant.html?src=mv The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the FAA were said to be investigating the matter. In a statement, JetBlue did not believe that the security or safety of the customers was at risk.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/nyregion/10attendant.html?src=mv Slater was released from jail on $2500 bail on the evening of August 10, 2010. http://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-slater-jetblue-flight-attendant-bail-emergency-slide/story?id=11367793

JetBlue eventually fired Steven Slater, who faced multiple charges in the case. In September of 2010, it was reported that Slater would undergo a medical evaluation. CBS News reported that this development may mean Slater would not face jail time.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20015741-504083.html

Slater appeared on Larry King Live on October 26 to tell his side of the incident. He said that the flight was the end of a long series of flights and his outburst was just a result of frustration.http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jetblue-guy-breaks-silence-august-32882

Slater also appeared on Good Morning America on October 27 in an interview. He said that he had been drinking before the flight but was not intoxicated during the flight.http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/jetblue-attendants-exit-steven-slater-words/story?id=11974087

According to reports, the angry scene involving Steven Slater played out after a passenger "cursed at and shoved or hit Slater" as approximately 100 passengers on board JetBlue Flight 1052 from Pittsburgh waited to disembark after landing.http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/10/new.york.escape.chute.opened/?hpt=C2

The New York Times quoted an anonymous law enforcement official as saying that a passenger was trying to remove luggage from an overhead bin as the plane taxied into the gate. Slater had apparently told the passenger to remain seated. As Slater approached the passenger, the source says he was "struck in the head" by the luggage. Harsh words were exchanged. Slater then got on the plane's public address system and "cursed out the passenger for all to hear." The tirade ended with Slater activating the plane's emergency chute and sliding out onto the tarmac.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/nyregion/10attendant.html?src=mv

In an interview with KABC news in Los Angeles, Slater's mother, Diane Slater, defended her son. She said the passenger should be charged for "interfering with a crew member." Slater, a former flight attendant, said her son "had a very small meltdown." Given the circumstances, Diane Slater said she could "understand why he snapped, and I would have snapped too."http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/ventura_county&id=7603441