Jetblue steward escapes jail

The US airline steward who became world-famous after quitting his job then sliding down the emergency chute has escaped jail for his actions.

Steven Slater, who ran off leaving the packed jet, admitted a charge of criminal mischief and was given a year's probation.

Slater admitted that the public interest in the case had surprised him. Speaking outside the New York City court he said: "At the end of the day, I'm a grown-up and I must take responsibility for my actions."

Slater's escapade came last August aboard a JetBlue Airways flight that had just landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

He got on the cabin loudspeaker, swore at passengers, then slid down the chute with a beer in his hand.

He became a topic on TV shows and on the front pages of newspapers and hundreds of thousands of fans online cheered him for standing up to the inhospitable world of airline travel and quitting his job so spectacularly.

Under the plea deal Slater will face at least a year of counselling and treatment.

The steward remains unemployed after resigning from JetBlue, he had spent nearly 20 years in the airline industry.