Get A Clue
Aug 13, 2010
Have we all had frustrating days at work? Of course. Have we maybe even fantasized about quitting in dramatic fashion? Probably. Have we actually had the guts to do it? Probably not.
Well, unless that is, you’re soon-to-be former JetBlue flight attendant Steve Slater. Slater has quickly become a nationwide sensation and is being hailed by many as a hero. Message boards and fan pages in support of Slater have sprung up all over the Internet since “the incident” on Monday. There are even groups that are fundraising for Slater’s legal defense.
Some people are trying to turn this incident into a larger issue for JetBlue. Should they have responded quicker? How should they address it? Is there a way they could potentially capitalize on the publicity the situation is generating? Other people (in particular Slater’s attorney) are trying to make it about the airline industry as a whole, saying this incident is symbolic of the growing frustration with air travel as a whole.
That’s complete crap! Come on people, let’s call it what it is. This guy had a bad day at the office. That’s it. And he overreacted, to say the least. We’ve all probably contemplated doing something similar, but most of us had the good sense and self control to restrain ourselves! Slater’s new found fans out there seem to think he was trying to make some sort of a statement. I have news for you: the only ‘statement’ he succeeded in making was about his future unemployment!! As a nearly 20-year veteran of the airline industry, I’m sure it’s probably starting to hit Slater by now that he will never work in the industry again. The hell with the airline industry: How do you explain THIS on your resume??
Jordanism: Work ‘til it hurts. Then push harder.
I cannot imagine what could be bad enough to justify throwing away your entire career (and most likely any future career prospects) like this. It’s not always easy out there. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s not fair. Sometimes it downright sucks. But you have to persevere. You have to keep pushing. No one is going to hand you anything on a silver platter.
On a brighter note, Slater might not have to worry too much about finding his next gig: he’s facing up to seven years in prison if he’s found guilty of the charges he’s facing, which include criminal mischief, trespassing and reckless endangerment. Was his brief moment of triumph and vindication worth all that? I think not. Everyone out there that’s holding him up as a hero needs to think long and hard about what they’re really supporting, which is literally throwing a lifetime worth of hard work and experience down the drain. Or down the emergency exit chute, technically speaking…
LINKS:
USA Today – JetBlue flight attendant strikes a nerve with stressed workers
New York Times – JetBlue’s Response to a Fed-Up Employee’s Exit
I disagree Jordan…after 28 years in the airline business, he’s off to become the darling of the talk-show circuit, after his extraordinary resignation, and likely a totally new career.
I understand he’s always yearned for a more creative job anyway…why don’t you HIRE him…? The publicity generated by that would put Zimmerman over the top!
And i hear that the 7 years of ‘potential’ imprisonment he’s facing will be negotiated down to probation + a $$$ fine…what are you, a LAWYER now…?
Quit scolding & preaching JZ…become the ‘encourager’ that you said you were,
many years ago…!
Wake up folks…does anyone really want a member of the flight crew this unstable? The boy is to be fired for cause. JZ, let’s make sure it does not get bargained down. It sure seems to me he endangered many and his tentrum could have upset tens of thousands of flyers…flyers with schedules and valuable personal time.
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Am I to understand if I was stranded in the air waiting to land due to delays this nut created, thus missing a ballgame with my boy or dinner with my family, I should be thankful for Slater. I do not recall Slater blaming the airline industry as he existed the plane?
.
Consider Sullenberger on one end and Slater at the other. How is it our society tolerates those who try to avoid personal responsibility in favor of institutional blame? I don’t recall Sullenberger relying on the instituions as he safely landed the plane on the Hudson. Actually he was not responding to the Flight Controllers who kept calling him on the radio offering help; instead was depending on himself, yep himself, to land the plane. There is a lesson here!
While I don’t agree with the actions of Slater (and his actions are not to be applauded), there’s a deeper issue here that you’re missing. People are empathizing with Slater because he unleashed a behavior that a great deal of employees only dream about. Companies have employed a customer first mentality for years, and with the economic downturn, that has only been exacerbated. When you add to that a greater unappreciation felt by employees in addition to lower pay and increased hours and workload…are we surprised that a story like this has occurred? Yes, it was foolish to risk being black-balled, broke, and possibly imprisoned just because he’d had “enough.” However, instead of attacking this guy for snapping and really only hurting himself (unlike the beer guy in CT. who killed several co-workers), let’s examine how companies and customers are stomping all over workers who just want to earn a living and do their job. That will be an article worth reading.
T.T.
Sounds like you need somebody to pat you on the back to tell you what a good job you’re doing. American workers today need to get over themselves. As workers, we are paid to do a job. We need to do it. Stop waiting for somebody else to pat you on the back. And if you’re arms aren’t long enough, maybe you should consider buying a back scratcher!!
‘American workers need to get over themselves.’
Amusing!
It all makes sense to me now. By signing someone’s paycheck, you are absolved of any other responsibilities, and you CERTAINLY aren’t required to show them any level of professional respect or appreciation. How dare the American worker open his mouth to say anything other than “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” Because anything more they ask for beyond a paycheck must be the result of greed, laziness and selfishness.
What a fun outlook on life in general – I bet it translates well to parenthood, marriage and friendships, too! I’ll have to give it a try.
JZ,
I disagree with your comment to TT, he is not saying he needs to consistently be reminded he is doing a good job, but part of successful management is encouragement, which MANY companies have failed to train their new managers/supervisors in. An employee, especially one with no seniority, needs to feel like they are contributing and learning. Too many times there have been ENDLESS nights spent at an office, sometimes overnight even, to complete a project where at the end of it all there is not even a ‘thank you’. THe workers did not HAVE to stay, our salaries do not REQUIRE it, yes, I know your answer will be ‘if that person won’t do it, i’ll find someone who will!’ but why is the response not ‘I COULD find someone else who would, but why not nurture this person who already DID, without being asked?’
MA,
Agreed. Lack of encouragement and appreciation only breeds resentment, which leads to high turnover rates and an overall low morale, both of which can affect productivity.
It’s the little, oft forgotten things that keep employees loyal. A simple “thank you” letter or e-mail costs nothing, but has a high return of investment – a happy employee who’s willing to go above and beyond over and over again. There’s no reason to lose a valuable employee just because you don’t believe they should be thanked for their dedication.