Out of the plane, into Internet glory

He cursed her on the intercom
So that everyone could hear
And he then bid his adieu
And he grabbed himself a beer

- Max Sparber, "Ballad of Steve Slater"

Whether it's Billy the Kid, Jesse James, or John Wesley Hardin, Americans since frontier days have immortalized outlaws in ballads, books, and now movies.

But a song about Steven Slater?

The disgruntled JetBlue Airways flight attendant on Monday became an instant folk hero when he bid adieu to his job with drama and flair - in ways most people only dream of - after an uncooperative passenger got on his last nerve.

As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 140,000 people had registered as fans on a Facebook page set up in Slater's name. Other pages inspired by his case include "Free Steven Slater" with 30,000 fans and "I Support Steven Slater." And "Free Slater" T-shirts already are on sale at CustomInk.com.

Fans have pledged donations to the "Steven Slater Legal Defense Fund."

Late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon jumped on the bandwagon Tuesday, singing - literally - Slater's praises with "The Ballad of Steven Slater."

"Who among us has not fantasized about quitting their job in precisely this fashion," a Slater fan posted on a discussion board.

Surely, agents are lining up to book him on morning, afternoon, and evening gabfests.

And no doubt the TV movies will follow.

Slater, 38, was arrested on Monday after he had a meltdown on Flight 1052 upon landing at JFK. Having been insulted by an unruly passenger, Slater delivered an invective-filled tirade over the plane's intercom.

"Those of you who have shown dignity and respect these last 20 years, thanks for a great ride," he said before grabbing a beer and exiting the plane using its emergency slide.

And into the hearts of a public that could identify with workplace frustration.

Free on $2,500 bail after being arraigned Tuesday in a Queens, N.Y., court on charges of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and trespassing, Slater was heartened by the general reaction to his bombastic act.

"It seems like something here has resonated with a few people," he said.

"And that's kind of neat."

Neat indeed. Many fans appreciate the manner in which Slater quit the plane, his job, and perhaps his liberty - he could face up to seven years in prison.

Some compare Slater to Peter Finch's character in the 1976 film Network, a TV news commentator who entreated his fellow citizens to open their windows and shout, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"