Suspicions Arise As Passengers Discuss Steven Slater

Steven Slater's famous exit from JetBlue may have made him a folk hero, but his reign may be ending as passengers from the flight start revealing their sides of the story. Which is that Slater had a gash on his head for most of the flight (suggesting that it didn't come from a passenger hitting him) and he was in a foul mood from the get-go, snapping at more than one passenger.

Marjorie Briskin, a 53-year-old schoolteacher said she witnessed the heated luggage conversation between Slater and a 20-year-old female that allegedly pushed him to abandon ship via the emergency chute. Briskin told the Wall Street Journal, "I didn't think she was rude in the least. It really blew my mind. It was so inappropriate. He looked disturbed."

Another passenger, Lauren Dominijanni, told the paper that Slater was rude to her when she boarded the flight and asked for a napkin to clean up spilled coffee on her seat (which she never received). She said he spent most of the flight slamming overhead bins and refrigerator doors, noting it made her uncomfortable for the entire 90-minute trip. However, if the passenger Slater was arguing with did hit him, she could theoretically be charged with assault, because federal rules says, "No person may assault, threaten, intimidate or interfere with a crew member in the performance of the crew member's duties aboard an aircraft."

Apparently JetBlue has been giving authorities the run-around, and not handing over details, or surveillance footage, they need to finish their investigation. The airline has been keeping mum for the most part, but yesterday posted on their blog, "While we can’t discuss the details of what is an ongoing investigation, plenty of others have already formed opinions on the matter. Like, the entire Internet."

As for Slater, he was ambushed by CityRoom in an elevator at the Manhattan apartment he's staying at. They recorded their impromptu interview with him, where he tells them “For 20 years, I thought about [pulling the emergency chute]. But you never think you’re going to do it.” He also says he needs a "good nap." His next court date is on September 7th.

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By Jen Carlson in News on August 12, 2010 11:59 AM

Comments [rss]

brownh0rnet

Anybody who's flown knows that planes are full of assholes. I'm thinking that particular plane was super full of assholes and Slater was in full bitch mode and not having any of their shenanigans. So when they saw him getting all this attention, they got all pissed and ran to the media to "expose" him.

John L

I never saw this man as a hero but as an unstable man that needed help and as more information becomes available it seems to be the case. I don't think he needs to go to jail but he seriously needs some help and I hope he gets it.

We should never applaud irresponsibility like this because it just encourages others to follow suit and the next incident may not be so funny or amusing and can seriously lead to someone getting hurt.

Potty Boy

You're accurate and ethical. I want you out of this building

pinball29

Hes taking the same trajectory as Joe the Plumber and Balloon Boy. Mystery, Hero, Buffoon, Forgotten.

But there will ALWAYS be asshole passengers on planes.

verbal

I fly JB to Pittsburgh 5 or 6 times a year and I've had this guy as a stewardess; he's basically a douchebag. Are his 15 minutes up yet, I have no tolerance for another reality show.

Potty Boy

I like how you call him a stewardess...heh heh...

Potty Boy

Just like The Paper...we tarnish 'em today and clean 'em up tomorrow...heh heh...

henryhamilton

I never imagined that this guy would turn out to be a model of stability. The man knows how to make an exit. I mean he really knows how to make an exit, but thats about all.

Rocknrope

Hissy fit!

JenChungsBaby

I'm shocked -- SHOCKED -- that this guy had his panties in a bunch.

DOA FLOATER

However, if the passenger Slater was arguing with did hit him, she could theoretically be charged with assault, because federal rules says, "No person may assault, threaten, intimidate or interfere with a crew member in the performance of the crew member's duties aboard an aircraft."

Uh, couldn't the person be charged with assault just because, you know, they hit him? And not because of some flight rule?

Cuz I is a lawyer!

jaycjay

Heh. Very true, but... Jen's "theory" is not really what the official quoted in the article said. He said that because of that flight rule, the woman could be fined for unbuckling her seat belt, getting up, and taking her bag from the bin while the plane was still taxiing. For the "interfering" part of that rule, not for the "assault" part.