Flight attendant Steven Slater awesomely exited an aircraft after quarreling with a passenger and telling everyone off on the intercom. Now he can stop dealing with annoying customers and start dealing with annoying journalists.
The media has gone crazy over Slater’s story, TIME certainly included. He’s reached folk-hero status, since he did something customer-service workers only dream of — telling off entitled patrons and quitting your job in a blaze of glory.
Slater, 38, was arrested after the outburst and arraigned on charges including reckless endangerment. He posted $2,500 bail and has been released. While walking to his ride home, TV station WABC found him and asked for comment. He stayed coy when asked whether the mark on his head was from the falling suitcase of the entitled patron in question, but he did say the outpouring of support has been “very, very appreciated.”
When the reporter asked if he would lose his job, Slater responded, “More than likely.” We have to agree on that one. Anyway, he’ll be too busy on the morning-show circuit soon. (TIME’s James Poniewozik suggests a travel show.)