Thanks for all the Facebook comments on the blog yesterday where I wrote Steven Slater is a knucklehead.

  I can see everybody’s various points but I still haven’t changed my mind.

  The way Slater handled the situation at JetBlue was unprofessional and troubling.

  I talked to one of my friends today who worked at an airline ticket counter for more than 15 years.

  While she could understand Slater’s reaction, she was appalled by his *actions* afterward.  She said no matter how rude or obnoxious a customer was, and even if one wanted to fight, that’s still no excuse for cursing out the entire cabin of an airplane, then sliding down the emergency exit.

  I also understand the comments that some customers are rude and overbearing as they travel.

  But folks in lots of professions face rude and overbearing people just as much flight attendants, and some face rude and overbearing people with guns!

  Don’t believe me?  Ask a police officer about how many knuckleheads they face on a given Friday or Saturday night.

  Ask an employee at the DMV what its like to work behind the counter on the first or last day of the month (generally the busiest times at the DMV).

  Ask a teacher what it’s like to deal with some students—- or even parents.

  It’s takes a certain amount of professionalism to work in these careers and for whatever reason Slater didn’t show it.

  I have been the victim of what would legally be considered an assault and battery and each time I handled it the way I was taught—- professionally.

  I called the cops!

  One time a drunk guy put his hands on me when all I was doing was taking video of Christmas lights!

  Another time a German Shepherd bit the heel off one of my shoes!

  Each time I chose not to launch into an expletive-filled tirade, drink two beers, and then slide down an inflatable emergency exit.

  I chose to handle it professionally.

  Granted I may not be verbally or physically accosted as often as an airline flight attendant, but you’d be surprised.

  I think it all goes back to the Golden rule:  treat others as you would want to be treated.

  But then that’s in a perfect world.

  Slater, an unruly airplane passenger, and an emergency slide showed us we live in reality.