We’ve all had days where we thought we would snap – literally and figuratively! Our job had gotten to us, and we wanted to walk out in dramatic, vindictive, retaliatory fashion. We didn’t but on August 9, 2010, Steven Slater made national news for what he did.
Slater had spent nearly 20 years in aviation, serving as a flight attendant. If you enjoy flying, you’ve seen firsthand how some passengers can get demanding and rude. Perhaps they believe that they have the right to be demanding considering the cost of the flight. However, there is never an excuse for such behavior.
JetBlue Flight 1052 had just landed at JFK from Pittsburg International and was taxiing to a stop. The flight would have taken about an hour and 45 minutes. It would seem like everyone could be on their best behavior for that short amount of time.
“According to Slater … despite repeated reminders to remain seated, one passenger allegedly refused to comply. Slater recounted that this one passenger stood up to remove a bag from the overhead compartment, and when he approached her to get her to return to her seat, things got slightly heated.
“… Slater was adamant … that the standing passenger had allegedly hit him with her bag as their conversation turned contentious. And when Slater asked the passenger for an apology, he was allegedly met with several strings of vulgarities from her instead.”1
Slater snapped. He took the intercom mic, let out his own string of expletives before saying, “I’ve been in this business for twenty years. And that’s it, I’ve had it. I’m done.”2 He pulled the lever to activate the emergency exit shoot, helped himself to some alcohol from the beverage cart, then started to slide out. Mid-slide, he realized he had forgotten his own personal bag. Crawling back up the chute, he gathered his bag and exited once again. Reaching the ground, he headed home where law enforcement arrived a short time later to take him into custody.
To this day, not a single witness aboard the flight corroborates any of Slater’s account. Slater admits that substance abuse, a bipolar mania episode, a sick mother, and his own HIV diagnosis set off what he called the “perfect storm.”3 He still blames the aviation industry to some degree, claiming they do not provide adequate support for their employees.
Some have heralded Slater as a modern-day folk hero. A fan page was created which drew over 250,000 supporters praising Slater for standing up for himself. Most others, though, believe this should have been handled differently.
As a Christian, we know this should have and could have been handled differently. The Bible doesn’t allow us to have temper tantrums. While there is certainly nothing wrong with quitting a job and moving on to something different, we need to do it Biblically.
- Ask yourself, “Is my desire to quit out of frustration or the leading of the Lord?” This is something that cannot be answered as soon as the question is posed. Emotions need to give way to reason and rational thinking. Paul said in Acts 16:6-7, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (7) After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” The Spirit will lead us where to go, how long to stay, and when to leave.
- When sharing your reason for leaving during an exit interview (or the equivalent), state graciously the complaints or negatives. Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love…” This is to be done “always with grace seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4:6)
- Remember that long after we are gone, the fragrance of our testimony will linger. We must always leave a good testimony behind. Matthew 5:16 instructs, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
- Never forget the truth of Proverbs 15:1. Make this apply to your speech as well as your attitude. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Christians, we can’t afford to lose our cool. We have no right to “unload” and angrily lash out. While the closing verse applies to our work ethic, it should also apply to our “quitting” ethic.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23)
1https://simpleflying.com/jetblue-flight-attendant-quitting-via-slide-throwback/
2Ibid.
3https://twoguysonaplane.com/blog/stevenslater/
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