A little Ray of Sunshine

Tempers flare as ordinary people become nothing more then expendable numbers + statistics to the higher ups - while our general frustration with everything leads us towards finding scapegoats amongst ourselves. It is as if our collective memories are being erased, replaced by a virtual reality show, in which we cheer the remaining contestants, those, who haven't been booted out yet -- desperately trying to hang on the belief, that if WE work hard and care for others, WE will not be booted out, too.

World History tells a slightly different story, however, namely that good intentions do not always prevail in the end.

I support Steven Slater because he took decisive action WITHOUT the intent of causing harm to others. He took a stand, in other words, and in a situation where it counted. His fame will be short lived -- of course -- and this was not his intention to start with. It is my sincere hope, that the 'law' will not deal with him too harshly. A misdemeanor offense, if that. Compared to the ongoing white collar crimes perpetuated by Wall Street Gangsters, this shouldn't even a blip on radar screen of our so-called criminal justice system.

As an aside to the larger topic at hand here, and since I have talked with people within the airline industry -- and yes, many people might chuckle at this - the primary function of a flight attendant is NOT to serve you meals or drinks, but to aid in the safe operation of the aircraft throughout the flight, including the evacuation of passengers, if this should become necessary during an emergency. In other words, they are NOT your personal servants.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Steven
• Slater
• Jet
• Blue
• Folk
• Hero
• Working
• Class
• Frustration
• Termpers
• Flare
• Scapegoats
• Wall
• Street
• Criminals
• Race
• to
• the
• Bottom
• Airlines
• Greed
• Money
• over
• People
• Flight
• Attendants
• Abuse
• Hostility

[imjustagirl776]

I chewed out someone on the phone for chewing my face off just before I quit working at a 401K call center. People treat customer service employees like shit no matter what industry (and believe me, I have been in multiple facets of customer service).

[55ella2007k]

@imjustagirl776 : Yes, I can empathize completely. In my job, I often have to deal with customer service in insurance, after being place on hold + jumping from one useless phone menu to the next. I always try to be nice to the person on the other end, because I know, it's not their fault. More times than not, this approach will actually result in the customer rep going out of his/her way to help you out. The final outcome is a mixed bag, since the rep doesn't make the ultimate decision.

[55ella2007k]

@imjustagirl776 ...just thought of something else, in regards to Dell Service Reps who work in India. These people are heavily abused by western customers, who have difficulty with their accents. Be nice to them, ask about the city they live in, how many hours they've worked today already + be emphathetic. Soon you'll have 3 reps trying to help you out, and most problems get resolved eventually. Hostility from the outset will get you nowhere :)

[angryislander56]

While I totally agree I feel compelled to point out that employers also have the need on occasion to stand up against abuse. Employees can sometimes be some whiny entitled arrogant cunts.

[55ella2007k]

@angryislander56 True, but in his case, the guy had been working for various airlines for over 20 years (switching carriers due to layoffs etc), and would not have hired, if he had a blemish on his record. Every person has a personal threshold, and he evidently reached his.

[mconn2112]

There was a time when my wife and I were on a plane with our son when he was an infant. We got grounded in Louisville for tornados passing through the region, and they couldnt get us a gate. We sat on a hot plane for almost 2 hours. Gavin was doing ok then got upset from hunger and fatigue. My wife was getting upset and I had made a decision at that point that I was giving them to the 2 hour mark to get the fuckin' plane to the gate, then the door was coming off. I didn't fear the repercussions.

[55ella2007k]

@mconn2112 No, I understand perfectly. Frustration is high on both sides. Being stuck in a hot aluminum tube for more than an hour is hell, not only for infants. The crew doesn't like it either + its the airline execs who faught this consumer protection rule of 3 hrs tooth + nail, because it costs them money. To them, you're nothing but cargo.

[jakluk4]

28 years of taken peoples shit..... cause workin with the public is not for the weak!

The only thing that would have made this story better is if he would have sang over the PA "take this job and shove it, I aint workin here NO MOAR!" as he slid down that emergency slide with his beers in hand! hahaha

[RenegadeTimes]

The public have become a cesspool of narcissitic blundering medicated fools. Without manners , common sense and decency. Unimaginable as we have progressed in years we have declined in intelligence. Bravo Steven .

CREATE a career for yourself sans serving the public.

It's the only way to live ...truly.

[katards]

Unfortunately if what he did caught on, the ones who would benefit would be the corporations who would not be required to pay unemployment benefits.

[truthfinder2175]

I think employers are taking advantage of the economic circumstances. They expect greater productivity w/out hiring add'l staff & expect compliance due to lack of alternatives on the part of employees. I recently abruptly quit my job as my workload had become unreasonably excessive to the point it just seemed hopeless. Simply had enough and walked. I understand Mr. Slater's actions.

[55ella2007k]

@onlywhenprovoked I hadn't even heard about this! 

[55ella2007k]

@CTOL1 Well, yes...it was a human interest story + unfortunately we have no real news coverage on the MSM anymore, or very sloppy, at best. Stories like this are very cheap to produce. But it kind of struck me as as humorous + I needed a little laugh :)

[55ella2007k]

@hotmailpoet My motto, treat others as you'd like to be treated.

[sandyg1955]

@sandyg1955 let me add this human chain ran a distance of 75 miles!!!!!!