Steven Slater, the Jet Blue flight attendant who last week got fed up with rude treatment from passengers and pulled a dramatic "take this job and shove it" exit (by jumping down the inflatable ramp of the aircraft) was lauded in general despite the irresponsible nature of his actions. Most people seem to be able to relate to being pushed to that edge in their jobs, with having to put up with idiots but not say anything, and fantasizing about giving it all the proverbial middle finger.
His folk hero status stems from the envy that frustrated people who dare not be as intrepid when conditions reach that unacceptable point. However, is the main reason that most people don't just up and quit: a) that they understand their obligations and responsibilities which require a sustained source of income; or b) that they don't have an inflatable ramp down which they can jump in a wonderfully dramatic manner?
Is the lack of an appropriately exciting mode of escape the only thing holding the rest of us back?
I think people are usually too willing to settle for "the enemy they know, rather than the enemy they don't." Fear of the unknown (what will happen if I try to escape my current situation?) is a powerful disincentive for most people. Clearly Mr. Slater reached that point where he didn't care about the unknown - his hatred of his current situation was enough.
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