JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater was arrested after allegedly cursing out a passenger on the tarmac at New York's JFK Airport, then deploying a plane's emergency chute and leaving the scene, shouting "That's it, I'm done."

''The New York Times'' quotes an anonymous law enforcement official as saying that the incident unfolded as JetBlue Flight 1052 from Pittsburgh was taxiing toward the gate at JFK Airport on the afternoon of August 9, 2010. A passenger got up and began removing luggage from an overhead compartment - ignoring Slater's instructions to remain seated. As Slater approached the passenger, he was "struck in the head" by the luggage. After exchanging words with the passenger, Slater "got on the plane's public-address system and cursed out the passenger for all to hear." After telling passengers that "It's been great!" Slater activated the plane's emergency chute and slid out onto the tarmac. CNN quoted a source as saying Slater "grabbed beer from the beverage cart" before his abrupt and dramatic departure.

Slater was arrested at his home in Queens shortly after the incident. He is charged with reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. The FAA and the Port Authority police were said to be investigating the incident. New York's WCBS says a handcuffed Slater could be seen leaving the Port Authority Police Headquarters with a cut on his forehead, "a smirk on his face and absolutely nothing to say." WCBS says a judge has granted bail for Slater.

According to an online profile, Steven Slater has been a flight attendant with JetBlue for more than two years. Prior to his stint with JetBlue, Slater also worked as a flight attendant for Delta and Trans World Airlines.