My greatest sorrow was to see "Greyhound Bus" attitude to a great journey of yesteryears. Civility are still prevalent with air travelers it's just the 5% who does not care or understand the eloquent of travel. It's is both side of the border at fault, corporate carrier maximizes profit and run their help and passengers who are fed up with, "free for all mentality."

Will it go back to it was? Yes, it would increase fares and drive those rude 5% to Greyhound..This is a joke!

Kudos to him. I do my best as a passenger to say please and thank you to these people and I understand how rude other people on the plane can be. I've even forgone asking them to handle what could be a volatile situation simply because I didn't want them to deal with the backlash of an 'entitled' passenger. (The woman behind us was letting her 3 and 6 year olds repeatedly kick our seats through a 4 hour flight- she stopped them every time the flight attendants were looking but other wise just let them. She seemed like the type to get all bitchy about someone telling her how to handle her kids. We just spent the flight leaning forward.) These guys get the short end of the stick because of how industrialized and horrible this has all become.

I use to fly internationally about 3-4 round trips a year and domestically about 10 or 12 round trips per year as a business and a tourist traveler.

I did that from the early 1960's until 2008. Between TSA and the Airlines themselves, I decided "to hell with it. Its just not worth the hassle."

I no longer have to fly for business reasons, and I have eliminated my elective flying, even domestically. What use to be a pleasure and a wonderful experience has become and irritating and unpleasant experience.

It comes from the top down. The big execs don't fly in coach, so they don't care how cramped and uncomfortable it is. They don't care that the stewards are put in poor situations, and therefore the passengers are in the same poor situations. They only care about the Benjamins. Until the airlines figure out that the passengers are the ones who actually make them fly, then they will continually and consistently lose business or have continuing bad press that makes everyone a target.

A good airline would hire this guy to be their guy on the line. He can give them feedback that would make flying a pleasurable experience instead of the cattle call it is currently. Too bad the guy at the top has his head to far up in the "clouds" to know the difference. (I was going to say his head was too far up something else, but "clouds" was printable.)

There are bad apples on both sides, and it sounds like the the current political and fear climate isn't helping matters. I was on a United flight the other day and an asian male flight attendant started being really rude to a very big, polite man for no apparent reason. The man was being cooperative as much as possible, but the flight attendant wasn't conveying what he wanted well. The attendant kept saying something about removing someone else's luggage out of the bin, and that he wasn't allowed to do it himself. But the tall passenger kept telling him it wasn't his luggage either, but he would gladly remove it. Instead the attendant just kept getting angry and telling the man to settle down--when it was actually backwards--the attendant was getting all upset over nothing, while the passenger was absolutely calm and trying to work through the situation. It was so bizarre, and all of us passengers nearby were just watching and amazed at how badly the attendant was handling things, making it ten times worse. But the passenger remained calm throughout, didn't get violent or angry, and ultimately things finished. But it was so awkward having that attendant on the flight afterward, as we had all seen him be so rude, not be able to communicate well, and start accusing the passenger of being violent when everyone there saw the opposite. We kept wondering when he was going to explode next.

Whatever the climate once was, I think attendants have to realize what they are facing from now on, and either avoid the industry, or take it on with the understanding of how things are. I personally say please and thank you all the time, but I am rarely met with a friendly response by the attendants. I still keep trying to do my part, but sadly it just doesn't seem to work--at best it seems to hold the tide of destruction back for a little bit.

Give this man an airline.

As a passenger with numerous Atlantic and European companies, I agree that on some flights, it can seem like the 'Greyhound' mentality. This is especially the case where in Europe, with budget airlines such as EasyJet, there isn't enough time to enjoy the experience. I travel to the Continent from the U.K. alot (very cheap), and with the budget planes, food is extra, which means coughing up your extra euros or sterling, depending on which leg of your journey you're on. Quite annoying.

Another issue is the entertainment factor on long flights. During one internal U.S. flight, from Chicago to Seattle, I don't remember there being an in-flight movie (this was a three hour flight). Now, travelling from Manchester to the States, I was afforded at least two on American Airlines. I'm not a sleeper usually, and the idea of being stuck in a confined space with an inflight mag for all that time drives me nuts.

Regarding his comment on bringing luggage on-board: It will continue to happen as long as the airlines charge extra for the first bag. Why should anyone pay $20+ to check a bag when it can be brought on board for free? What's the incentive to check a bag? Will it get there faster? (no) Will there be a guarantee that it will get there at all? (no)

I wish this fellow the very best. He would be a great asset to any airline's marketing effort. His experience on the front lines of the air travel industry coupled with the time to think about his own personal circumstances provide him with a perspective that would be valuable to a company like as Virgin Airlines in promoting its brand to travelers that value courtesy, respect, and thoughtfulness.

I have found flight attendants to be more rude than other passengers. We sit like cattle for hours and then these glorified waitresses get on some power trip

This guy was funny as hell.

Steven Slater, you are not a hero, you should be a shame of yourself for what you did, simply you are unprofessional flight attendant, a teen age would of act better than you! get a real life

Wow...So he got his 15 minutes of fame for acting like a douche and now the "news" is giving him a few more minutes...Why do we have to see another interview?? Hasn't he already given one?? He threw a fit and now he's being rewarded for bad behavior. If any one of us did that we would have been hauled off and arrested....But yay for him he's everyone's hero....

I'll take this guys side and view of things.It is like a subway...a NY subway of the 70"s. People need to have a little class and courtesy to the people that work these flights. They are there to help you, not be a target for rudeness or stupidity.

My Dad worked for United Air Lines from WW-2 until he retired, spent about 35 years with them at SFO. My first memories of flying were when DC-3's were their big airliner- out of San Francisco Municipal! I was at the dedication of SF International... at the dedication for their new hanger to accomodate the DC-7's... and saw the transition from props to jets with the DC-8's. As such, I've seen the changes- from when gourmet meals were served on fine china with silver- and cloth napkins- 4 pack of Kool's/Winston's, etc. were complimentary as well- to what it is now. What a shame to see an industry go from what it was- to what it is.

Parents bringing infants on the plane, (infants who scream / cry the entire flight) passangers stuffing the over-full carryon into the small overhead bin (taking up the entire space), cell phone users that talk way to loud (who wants to hear your personal business, like who's sleeping with whom) - and this discussion could be broadened into the aspects of our daily lives at the grocery (women using the carts like battering rams), the mall (children running, playing while their 'parents' turn a blind eye - so you trip over these young hyperactive persons), a local restaurant (the other diners - Do Not want to listen to your personal conversations - period)- yes civility died several generations ago.

Steven sounds surprisingly intelligent and has some excellent insights into the current state of the flight industry. On a recent SW flight, the attendant made a passenger move from her seat in the emergency exit row because she did not listen to the safety talk he had just given. Everyone thought he was joking but his polite yet persistent manner showed us he was not. And in retrospect he was indeed correct. Passengers can indeed be a-holes but that is just a direct result of opening up flight for the masses. Civility is a thing of the past. Heaven help us when they allow cell phones to be used in flight!

Bottom line is the airlines hate people, both the customers and the employees, but can't make money without them. The problem for the customer is that they continue to demand Walmart prices with 5 star service... just ain't gonna happen. Employee benefits and pay are being hacked away to the point that the only people who can afford to hold these jobs are twenty somethings with no families to provide for and consequently nothing really at stake if they do a poor job. Instead of mergers we need fewer airlines operating fewer flights. Air traffic would thin out and ticket prices would go up.

This guy's a mess.

I would have to agree with Mr. Slater's assessment of flight since 9/11. It used to be such an exciting thing to fly, especially overseas. Now I just dread it. Between TSA, smaller seats, dirty planes, extras fees for everything, and harried attendants, I always end up wishing there was another way I could get where I was going.

I find is impossible and silly to believe that a guy who eventually couldn't cope with the stress of his job is going to be considered in any way qualified to offer advice to others on how to do so. He might have raised some awareness and gotten a few kudos and some laughs, but what he did was ultimately stupid and childish.

On the other hand, he may be about to make more money on his book deal than I've managed to make in the last five years on my 'real' job, so maybe he's actually not the stupid one after all? Deeper still, maybe it was childish and stupid but he got lucky in spite of himself. Deeper still yet, maybe it doesn't matter; the money he makes will still spend. What a world!

Great read.  I wish him the best in his new career.  And yes, it is no longer fun to fly.  The eloquence and style has long ago disappeared in the United States airline industry.  Europe mainline airlines, that is another story.  Class all the way!!!

I gave up flying several years ago.  TSA (theater safety), dirty airplanes, to me inhumanly crowded airplanes, and crews worked to the bone at minimum wage or near it, I left that industry.  They are Greyhound busses of the sky.

If you can do it, driving or riding rail is more enjoyable.

He sounds like a bitter, whining, brat. If he hated his job and the industry he was in, he was certainly welcome to find a new job - in a different industry. Otherwise, he could have just dealt with it like a big boy. Whatever. I would NEVER read a book he writes - and I doubt others would either. It sure doesn't sound like his p&*s poor decision to put others in jeopardy a year ago worked out well for him. No job. No career. A book that will come out and people will ask who the heck that guy is - and largely be turned off by his it-was-the-customers-who-made-me-do-it-because-they-all-suck-so-much attitude and won't bother buying the book. Ok. So, can we be really, really done with reading about this narcissistic jerk now? He showed one year ago that he didn't care about the welfare of anyone but himself, and he still sure doesn't. If he has some misguided notion that he changed the world for the better in any way - then someone ought to really tell him otherwise. Corporate America wouldn't have someone so callous and uncaring about the laws and other people. And it seems no one else wants him either.

When I first saw Steven Slater's picture, I immediately thought of 'Johnny' from Airplane!(1980), played by Stephen Stucker. It doesn't take much to see a resemblance, just lose some of the hair and voila!

I STILL think that Steven Slater if fantastic. Way more intelligent, knowledgeable and actually sees and knows the "real picture" = and sincerely gives a darn = way more more than the CEOs of the United States of America's Airline Company's.

SIR RICHARD, please interview Mr. Slater and create a position for him as a goodwill ambassador for your airline fleet; where his main job would be something in line with making each passenger feel welcomed.

Such as going go up and down the aisles, looking at passengers to see those making eye contact or with a wave to acknowledge they would like Mr. Slater to get them a cup of tea, coffee, drink, etc. and personally deliver it to them or answer a question.

I do not know Mr. Slater, but do not think he would have a problem with a position such as this and it would make passengers feel like a million bucks, like they use to.

My first flight to Europe, in 1971, was the best. The flight attendants did not act like robots and wishing they were anywhere but there or stayed hidden = but instead, were cheerful, continually taking turns going up and down the aisles and asking passengers how they were and did they need anything, etc. All in a professional manner = while at the same time, controlling situations where idiot parents expected them to be babysitters, letting their brats run up and down the aisles, kicking the back of the seats in front of them, etc. and or blabbering drunks, etc. but those people were also brought under control with a nice, quiet chat reminding them of the passenger rules; and these rude, selfish people actually respected the flight attendants authority and immediately got their children under control and shut up, etc.

Because back then, flight attendants had the authority to "report" these difficult parents and children and drunks, etc. with a quick and easy computer card that listed the passenger's name, etc. and all they had to do was drop it off at a designated place at each terminal, without their names, etc. and that got the rude, unruly passengers and kids banned from future flights with that airline.

I actually saved a few of these old passenger rules and read over them just for kicks after everyone was coming down on Mr. Slater. And they were very clear of the consequences rude, despicable passengers faced due to their selfish antics and behavior.

Like others said above, the CEOs do not ride in coach = heck = they do not even ride in their own commercial airlines = they ride in their luxury private jets.

I believe this is Exactly along the lines that Mr. Slater is trying to get across = passengers must treat all flight attendants with respect and also give these flight attendants the position of authority to call the shots in dealing with difficult passengers or those passengers where several other passengers are complaining about their behavior of those of their kids, etc.

Unfortunately during my professional business career, there would be up to 50 of us government employees flying together, cross country many times a year, and our company required us to be seated as near to each other as possible. I hated the thought of it, knowing how some of these coworkers would throw back the alcohol and drugs before boarding and while on board; until I read the passenger rules back then and realized the flight attendants had the authority to suggest they not be allowed to fly that airlines for a certain period of time or be banned all together.

The many rowdy ones were use to when we flew in chartered planes and it was sex, drugs and rock and roll and anything goes; and I, along with a few others, hated stepping over top of people in the aisles to go to the bathroom and the pot smoking, etc., but the catered food was great = steak, lobster, great salads, etc. from a local 5 star restaurant, each one of us ordered off the menu days before flight. Thanks taxpayers. (BTW I have been a vegetarian for years so when I fly now, I buy salads and fruit at the airport pre flight)= Anyway, myself and the few others were really happy when we were forced to fly commercial and even more so on the first flight back when we noticed over a third of our group - the party people as they called their selves = were not flying back with us.

When we inquired, we were informed that they would no longer be flying on that airlines. My hats off to the good old days of the 1980s.

In my opinion, No airline is a place to party and disrupt any other passengers not sharing their attitudes and behavior; the same as those parents who believe they have the right to subject others to their children's bad behavior, etc. or those using phones, games, computers etc.

I was raised to respect others and as such, spent my in flight time reading a book I took along or doing crosswords, etc. The same as I do now when flying. But I still absolutely hate being seated by selfish people of any age or kids kicking the back of my seat = now I recline and let them try and kick away the entire flight. Otherwise, I just mind my business and suffer through it all and Thank God for all the great kids, parents and other passengers out there.

And God Bless Steven Slater.