Steven Slater Wants JetBlue Job Back

(CBS/AP)  The renegade flight attendant who cursed out a passenger and emergency-chuted to folk-hero status thanked the world for its support and said he wants to go back to work.

Steven Slater, 38, said through his lawyer Thursday that he loves flying.

"His hope is to return to the aviation business," attorney Howard Turman told reporters as Slater stood by his side outside his home in Queens.

Slater's career appeared to end Monday when he went on the public address system after a JetBlue flight from Pittsburgh, swore at a passenger who he said had treated him rudely, grabbed a beer and exited via an emergency chute. He was later arrested.

Asked about Slater's desire to return to work, JetBlue spokesman Mateo Lleras said: "As of right now, he has been released of duty pending the investigation. There's nothing more I can say."

Turman portrayed his client as hardworking, loyal and surprised by his own overnight fame.

Slater "wants to thank the world for its understanding," Turman said, referring to the Internet and media response to his client's public unraveling.

"This is a man who only cares about his industry," the attorney said, adding that Slater especially cares about JetBlue, which "has been a fair and understanding airline."

Slater has been riding a wave of praise as a working man's hero pushed to his limit, but since Monday, passengers from the flight have challenged his account and said he was repeatedly rude and unprofessional, reports CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller.

Passenger: Slater was Huffy

Some onboard the flight have come forward to criticize him as brusque and cranky throughout the 90-minute trip. One passenger portrayed Slater as the instigator, saying he cursed without provocation at a woman who had asked about her bag.

More Flight Attendant Coverage

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Angry JetBlue Attendant Exits Plane on Slide

Slater would not talk about his actions Thursday. He smiled silently for most of the 10-minute news conference, then offered a brief thanks to the public, saying, "It's been amazing, the support and love ... everything that's been brought to me."

Turman denied Slater was belligerent and said the entire affair can be blamed on a "lack of civility on the part of one passenger."

Passenger Lauren Dominijanni, 25, of Pittsburgh, said that during the trip, when she asked Slater for a wipe to clean up coffee that had been spilled on her seat, he rolled his eyes, blurted an exasperated "What?" and gestured to the gash on his head. He then told her he needed to take care of himself first, she said.

Later, after the plane landed, passengers said they heard Slater and other crew members repeatedly instruct a passenger to remain seated until the jet reached the gate. The traveler apparently didn't listen. Slater ultimately had to leave his seat to get the person to sit down.

Authorities said Slater had grabbed at least one beer from the jet's galley before jumping out. Turman denied that his client had been drinking during the flight.

Asked about Slater's references on a social networking site about his battle with addiction, Turman would not comment.

Slater faces charges of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing.

[fedup12]

You know who he reminds me of? Richard Hatch the survivor homodude. With manboobs to match.

[fedup12]

Don't you just want to wipe the smug smile of this jackazz's face?

Honestly. He isn't a working class hero. And he ran from the consequences of his actions.

Its prikz like this that give the rest of us working class guys a bad name.

[GetAGrip007]

Duuuuuuude you are sooooo fired!


As you should be!

[paulinni]

Sounds like the guy would need to take an anger management course.

[craigh9]

I certainly hope that the passengers on that flight have obtained an attorney and will be sueing him - his tirade at the expense of all the passengers and the danger he created by opening the chute deserves it.
Unbelievably America has made him a folk hero and the media is paying him to be on shows - it would be fitting to sue him for 3 times the amouunt of money his 15 minutes of fame will get him.
He is a mentally unbalance person and has proved that to the aviation industry - He will never work for any airline ever again!

[book_of_wally]

Well that aint happening. In fact he will be lucky to ever work again.

[MalloryDavis]

I believe the other passengers before I'd believe Slater. When I first read the story I knew it wasn't the passenger who threw the first verbal slap.

[JustYourAverageReader]

JetBlue can capitalize on retaining him. How? The Jerry Springer audience types will flock to the reservations desk in hopes of seeing some more of this type of drama.