We’ve all had fun with the Steven Slater story. We’ve debated his acts here in OS, with several stories popping up on the front page. Late-night comedians and op-ed columnists are having fun with the story, as the “take this job and shove it” story we’d all like to act out.
But the one thing none of us, including the press, has done so far before ranting and raving is investigate to see if the story was actually true. Here’s the most relevant quote about him, from when Stephen Colbert named him his “Alpha Dog of the Week” the other night: “What, no video?”
As it turns out, there may be no video because there was no incident, or at least not the way Slater described. According to stories in The Wall Street Journal and New York Daily News, not a single passenger has corroborated Slater’s story of an altercation started by a passenger. Others have stated that the head injury he claimed to have received from a bag falling from an overhead bin may have existed when he boarded the flight. Some say he was abusive during the flight.
News sites, even the reputable ones, jumped on this story without verifying too many facts. If there is anything I learned from Dave Cullen’s book on Columbine, it’s that the initial press reports are full of inaccuracies and rumors presented as fact, because the media is more focused on getting the story out there quickly, rather than accurately. We in turn swallowed every word of it as gospel truth and formed our deep-seated opinions based on reports that weren’t properly vetted. If there is anything I learned from Dave Cullen’s book on Columbine, it’s that people make snap judgments based on these inaccurate press reports, and when several days later the true facts begin to emerge, we ignore them because we have shifted our attention to some other outrage du jour.
So if Steven Slater is a liar, I want to thank him for unintentionally exposing the shoddiness of the mainstream news sources, and for exposing our rampant gullibility.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
jmac1949
Missilynn
grif -
Anna Voy
John Andrew
Gotham Chick
Salon.com
Comments
Rated with hugs
His ex-wife said on camera that being a flight attendant was "his life" and his current boyfriend said the same thing. Maybe Linda's idea of an airline "leak" has merit -- although it is hard for me to believe they could be that innovative.
Lezlie
The reason it hit a chord is that people understand that breaking point in this day and age. They know the feeling of dealing with rudeness, day-in and day-out. And admire, secretly or not, the need to say F this, I'm outta here. It's our collective id talking.
With that said, any opposing stories about him may or may not be any more factual than the intitial pieces. They could be knee-jerk reactionary pieces, meant to dismantle the incident.
Whatever happened, this man did have a long history of being a congenial, helpful and hard-working attendant. Something sent him over the edge and my guess is it wasn't entirely internal, knowing my experience on planes.
In short, no one is all good, all bad. No one is all hero or all villian. But what matter is our collective reaction to it. Why is it such a sensation?
I've actually seen him in action on a flight (two former colleagues confirm my recollection) ... he was funny, acerbic, used the PA system like a mic in a comedy club.
We enjoyed it at the time but still felt a bit disrespected, something was off about him. Just like something's off about the story. Bravo, Crank!
:D
Kudos to you, Cuss, for calling out the media on their rush to judgment in favor of Slater. When I was a reporter (first radio then newspaper), I was often sticking a microphone in front of a grieving mother's face before her murdered child's body was even cold. It was what I signed up to do. Now I'm free of that and free to form my own opinions of what I see and hear in the world. Glad you are, too. (R)
Thank you. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.
To give another eminent example that most people still don't know about: In the aftermath of Katrina, there were stories of rapes and murders in the Superdome. As it turns out, none were confirmed.
Yup. check and recheck.
Yeah, what's the real story, and why are we constantly fed so many lies. Once you start really noticing it's almost impossible to watch what passes for news.
The story, as such, has now entered the realm of Folk Legend. Learning "what really happened" is pretty much beside the point. But speaking as a member of the "General Public" I'd like to hear from the female passenger that reportedly set Slater off.
Has she gone ino the "Witness Protection Program"? What she may or may not have to say will be crucial in any charges that may be taken against Slater.