Probation for Slater Over Emergency-Chute Stunt

'I'm in a better place now,' says flight attendant who ripped passenger
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 20, 2011 1:00 AM CDT
Emergency Slide Slater Gets Year Probation
Former JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater arrives last year at Queens criminal court for a hearing on criminal mischief charges.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

The folk hero and former flight attendant who popped off at a rude passenger then slid down the emergency chute with a beer has been sentenced to a year probation. "That was one moment, that was not indicative of who I am," said Steven Slater, who now plans to move from New York to California and write his memoirs. "I'm in a much better place." Slater became an overnight sensation after his stunt at JFK—but prosecutors said it wasn't funny and caused serious airport delays. Slater, who said he was under severe stress at the time, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and underwent counseling and substance abuse treatment, notes AP. He lost his job after the incident, and must pay JetBlue $10,000 in restitution for the cost of restoring the emergency chute. (More JetBlue stories.)

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