Good flight attendent gone bad?
I just read the extended story of Steven Slater this morning in USA Today.com - Is he a “Good flight attendent gone bad”? While I am sure there are important details of this story we’ll never know amidst the spin and posistioning of passengers, lawyers, flight attendents and PR professionals… I think it does invite us to consider a couple questions.
Was Slater justified in his actions? The press is suggesting that he made a statement representing a growing feeling of frustration in America… “Stick it to the man”. Did he… stick it to the man? Will things change for the better because of his choice? Will his example now inspire other digruntled, unhappy and miserable wokrers in American to make similar statements? Are we all glad that someone who was willing to make a statement is associated with an industry that doesn’t allow firearms in the workplace? Do you occasionally daydream about how to “get even” as you imagine ”getting out” of your miserable job?
Is bad behavior ever justified?
It’s been my observation that pressure, adversity, and frustration…don’t make a person… nearly as quickly as they reveal them.
What do you think?
Kirk Out
August 11th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I personally do not believe that either party behaved properly in this instance. I also believe that everyone has had a moment in their lives where they have felt like they cannot take any more of what they feel is an unjust situation. Some of us act upon it and some of us do not.
The problem with people in general these days is that we have forgotten how to treat one another. We learn how to treat one another in kindergarten and spend the rest of our lives forgetting this one simple rule…”Treat others the way you would like to be treated.”
Regards,
Kristin Graessle
August 11th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I am also glad that this profession does not allow guns in the work place. There are too many disgruntled employees taking matters into their own hands, but is there a place where these employees can voice their concerns without the repercussion of their employee. I think not, that is why things fester like they do, until someone snaps. I fly quit frequently, and I know there are passengers that push the attendants buttons, and it does surprise me that there hasn’t been more out breaks like these. This flight attendant from what I understand, was taking care of his ill mother, does this company offer any professional help for their employees when dealing with stressful situations. Are our companies so consumed with making a profit, that they are not even considering the employees that work for them? Are we so consumed with greed, and power, that we forget about the little man, that is struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck? Have we forgotten the values that this country was founded on, where a handshake, and a man’s word was enough. What does someone have to do, to make these companies, stop and look at the people that work for them, make sure there healthy, both in mind and body. Would this not make for a more productive company, a safer company, and a place where someone would want to come to work to everyday?….
Esther
Esther Salasavage LPN
August 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am
I think it depends on the bad behavior. This incident was an innocuous one but could have gone bad. When hurricane Andrew hit South Florida it took the head of our Emergency Operations Center to freak out on TV to get FEMA off their butts!
Sometimes you have to set yourself on fire to make a point. Sometimes you just get burned in the process!
Thank you,
Julio Gonzalez, PMP, CISSP
August 11th, 2010 at 10:41 am
In my opinion, America is in a serious nose dive decline. We raise people like this to the level of “celebrity”, we encourage atrocious behavior as seen on such shows as “Jerry Springer”, “Jersey Shore”, “Bad Girls”, etc., where drama, fights, drunkenness and cuss-out sessions are deliberately staged to increase the “entertainment” level. So yes, I believe that this guy’s actions will result in other people losing it at work, abusing customers, etc. And unfortunately it will quickly escalate to physical attacks until someone is seriously hurt. It’s inevitable.
Common courtesy, sadly, has become uncommon courtesy…..and what a horrible message we’re sending to our children. Sorry for the doom and gloom outlook!
Keep up the great work, Kirk….T4D is a highlight of my day!
Keith Johnson
August 11th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Yeah!!! A voice of reason! I have heard so many people talk about Steven as a hero. While I do understand how/why he was upset (I would have been upset, too), his job is to keep people safe and try to make his passengers’ trip more comfortable and enjoyable. He knew that when he signed on for the job. In my opinion he flat out failed in his job.
Thank you!
Scott A. Koon
August 11th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I have such mixed emotions about this situation. As a human being, I can understand a growing sense of frustration and the need to release the pressure that may be building up over time. The world we live in today is clouded by greed, ignorance, and an overwhelming sense of entitlement. It’s entirely possible Steven has dealt with these types of customers far too many times and had finally reached a limit on his ability to calm the situation or himself. However, that being said, as a manager in the service industry, the workplace is NOT a place to release steam and chastise a customer – whether they deserve it or not. Because the world is as it is, we need to step above the chaos and stand up as leaders for what we believe in and provide positive examples and role models for others to follow. I have worked in the service industry for over 20 years and while there have been many times that I have felt run over or attacked or frustrated by a customer, I have always believed that it’s my responsibility (and lends to my strong personality) to be better than the average person and “kill them with kindness”!! One’s real character is defined by how well they handle adversity.
I’ve heard more about Steven through the news and it does appear he is dealing with much adversity in his personal life – mom is dying of cancer. Rather than assaulting his customer, he should’ve taken some much-needed time off to clear his head, spend time with his mother, and eventually go back to work with a lot less stress. I don’t believe he should serve jail time, but due to the nature of his offense (emergency chute), he should probably be relieved of his position and make a formal apology to the airline and the customer. What a shame. Hopefully others will learn from this man’s actions.
Melanie Ellsworth
August 11th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Kirk
I agree that bad behavior is not justified. As Jim Rohn said: “It is the set of the sails for the winds of adversity blow on us all.”
As we remain focused on long-term goals we will be faced with challenges each and every day. It’s how we handle these challenges that make all the difference in the world. Do we allow our emotions to overpower reason and logic or do we take a deep breath, keep any negative, biased, derogatory thoughts to our self and wait for the other party to see that we’re not going to put up a fight for it takes two to tango. After all it’s been said that challenges build character.
A positive understand smile can be far more powerful than raising a fist. Our world continues to grow towards 7 billion people as we approach a new time frame in the calendar of the Universe predicted thousands of years ago by people who understood more of the world we live than many do today. The age of enlightenment where millions are growing spiritually to an appreciation of the diversity of others. That we are all one, sharing this amazing blue green planet with millions of other living species.
If this is true the reality of bad behavior is if I yell at you I am yelling at myself. If I take from you, I am stealing from myself. However the inverse is why so many volunteer for good causes for the more I give, the more I receive. Behaving badly to others creates my own reality of living in a negative world instead of creating a positive world through focused good behavior honoring other spirits around me. Even if I disagree with their actions, beliefs, or any other variation of a theme. Good behavior is lifting people up. Helping the little lady across the street is a wonderful feeling. Try it sometime – like soon!
Here’s to your health, wealth and happiness!
Bo Tomlyn
August 11th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Kirk,
There is an old rock song quote: “It’s better to burn out, than to fade away.”
I know people get fed up with the day to day stress that comes from constantly dealing with rude customers. It can be therapeutic to see someone else take that plunge, and do exactly what a lot of people may want to do, but for some reason have not quite made it that far.
There had to be a lot of temporary satisfaction from the event for this man, but even if he stays out of jail, the legal fees and damage to his employment record are going to be substantial. Was this one moment worth the frustrations he will face in the future in trying to find a new job?
I’d bet on that answer being No as more time passes from the event.
Roger
August 11th, 2010 at 11:12 am
I’m amazed at the comments. While I certainly don’t think his behavior is considered appropriate by any means, can’t one just have had enough?? We all have had days where we wanted to do the exact same thing. We chose not to, this gentleman did and he will now pay the price (legal fees, jail time, finding a new job, etc). I think this is refreshing to me, to know that there are other people out there that have days like this. We aren’t all perfect and we all have had an episode on the job. Whether or not it was on this scale or not isn’t really the point. The point is we have all had a meltdown or two. Unfortunately, he did his on the big stage.
Now, on a more comedic level, tell me you found no humor in grabbing a beer and exiting via the chute?
August 11th, 2010 at 11:22 am
I recently flew and observed that there was a great deal of hostility among my fellow passengers…people who are increasingly frustrated over delays and escalating costs associated with air travel. Add the “right” incident to that mix and there is potential for a confrontation. I have to admit that when I first heard about the incident, I was most sympathetic to the flight attendant because of my recent experience with rude passengers. However it truly is first and foremost the flight attendant’s job to insure a safe environment for all passengers.
Perhaps the real issue goes much deeper.
Of course, I don’t know the details about Mr. Slater’s situation, so these are general remarks, not directed toward him. With so many people in debt over their heads, with poor or absent emotional support systems, and employers who often are looking for an excuse to lay off employees, it is no wonder that people often report to their jobs stressed to their limits rather than taking time off. However, I agree with Kirk…it is when we are placed under pressure that a person is revealed.
Our willingness to treat others as we desire to be treated separates us as human. Let’s endeavor to regard other people with a willingness to forgive so that our culture reflects the best in each of us.
August 11th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Lorraine says: “I recently flew and observed that there was a great deal of hostility among my fellow passengers…people who are increasingly frustrated over delays and escalating costs associated with air travel.” Why is that??? Almost everyone I know dreads going to the airport, posts negative comments on their Facebook page about their terrible flight experience or their dread of being in the airport.
I don’t get it! Hello, you are flying above and around the earth for a mere donation!
I don’t love flying, but try my best not to attract the bad situations, and not surprisingly, I rarely have problems. When I do, it’s no big deal because I have resolved to go with flow and understand that flying helps me reach my goals.
When so many people are trying to go somewhere at one time, there’s bound to be problems. Why does the general public hold such godly expectations of the airline industry, yet at the same time treat the employees with such contempt?
Simply, I think a lot of people like to find things to whine about, and flying and airport experiences somehow helps them accomplish their daily quota of whining.
To address the questions posed by Kirk; Mr. Slator might be in a better place today if he’d counted to 10, but maybe he’s the fall guy for improving employee relations, or better yet, improving the general publics attitude about flying, which would make it a better place to work for airline attendants:)
August 11th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Tough question and my response is not the popular vote. As a professional in my job, and in my volunteer work, I have an obligation to behave accordingly. I have bad days all the time and it is incumbent upon me to make sure I don’t take out my frustrations on others.
As a manager, the bar is set higher, whether it’s right or not. I am expected to be neutral, calm, and be able to negotiate my way out of tough situations. I can’t lose it in my work place. I have had to build in mechanisms for venting – a co-worker, go for a walk, close my office door, whatever, call in sick.
This is not the first time Mr. Slater has faced people who get out of their seats too soon. It’s likely not the first time that someone has cursed him. Two things in my mind could have happened – Mr. Slater was just plain tired and cranky and lost it (inappropriately). My instinct (based on the info out there) is that he was reacting more to the assault on his sexuality – enough already with the negative “faggot” references. We live in a society where gay marriages are acceptable in many places and who you sleep with is no one’s business. As a gay person, I’m sure he was just plain fed up with that passenger’s ignorance.
Regardless of the reasons, his reaction was over the top and not acceptable. He has received over 100,000 notes of support on facebook (as of this morning) and on the surface, you want to applaud the underdog. But if everyone reacted that way to rude, ignorant behaviour, then you’re right – might as well give someone a loaded gun and let them go “postal”. We are way too quick to jump to violence or anger – Mr. Slater should have found some other way of coping with the bad passenger, or his bad job, or whatever else might have been bothering him.
~ N
August 11th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
I agree with you, this just revealed who he really IS not what should ever be done. The power of most people is in their ability to exercise self-control when confronted with the disgruntled customer, I’d be out of business if I snapped every time I’m bashed. This praising he is receiving in the media and Facebook is embarrassing and simply a way for the frustrated employees to justify their own thinking, wishes, and carnal desires to stick it to the man, but most of those feelings should never see the light of day…now they have and he’s most likely going to jail – deservedly so!
jason
August 11th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Kirk,
Pressure, adversity, and frustration are what shape a person. It’s easy to get by when things are easy; it’s when we face life’s challenges that we are forced to stretch and grow and mature. I recently heard John Robinson speak, a man with essentially no arms and no legs. He said that there are no challenges, only opportunities. What are we going to do with those events and moments that give us a chance to shine, to set ourselves apart from the rest?
I find out starting today. After receiving my 10 year anniversary reward last week, I was told today that my position is no longer needed. I am looking forward to see what comes next.
We all seek to have mountaintop experiences, but things only grow in the valley.
Thank you, Kirk, you have been a blessing to me over the years.
Your humble servant,
Paul Hypki
August 17th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I feel Stephen Slater has gotten a bad rap. I’m not saying what he did is a fabulous idea, but sometimes it’s too easy for us to say, “I’d NEVER do that if I were in his shoes!” None of us have walked in his shoes, know the whole story, or have an idea of what his job/family life did to his emotions and psyche. We can pridefully sit back and think we’re better than him for not having gone out in a supposed “blaze of glory”, but all that action does is paint how much humility we are in need of ourselves.
Bottom line: we ALL have a breaking point. God help us if everyone is as cold to us as some of the public has been to Stephen Slater.