A JetBlue air steward, who flipped out after being conked on the head by a loose item of baggage when a passenger prematurely rose from their seat, has attained folk hero status on the internet.

Thousands of web surfers have been praising the “take your job and shove it” attitude of Steven Slater who swore over the intercom prior to evacuating the flight by way of an emergency chute.

On the inevitable Facebook page, which now numbers 174k fans, followers asked: “Has Steven inspired you to consider going out with a creative bang in your own job or do you feel he has made the point for all of us?”

Criminal prosecutors are less favourably inclined towards these antics however charging Slater with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing, a roll call which could net the wayward attendant a seven year stretch in jail.