Take it and shove it

As I’ve written, I’ve been at least partly self-employed for the past 23 years [1]. I’ve nothing but admiration for anyone who thrives as an employee. It takes a special person to do that. And in that regard, I’m not special. But I’m special in another way: I love country music. (Sorry, Chrows25, I know you don’t.) One of my favourite country songs is the 1977 classic: ‘Take This Job and Shove It’ [2]. Written by David Allan Coe [3, 4], its most famous singer’s Johnny Paycheck [5, 6]. I’m sure its success is because many an employee would love to say, or even better yell, its title at their employer. Most don’t. And many continue to do menial work under terrible conditions without a peep. Not so Steven Slater (pictured), the JetBlue flight attendant who recently had a spectacular meltdown, cursed a passenger on the tannoy, and then left his plane, and likely his career, with a dramatic exit down an emergency slide [7]. Way to go, Steve. You showed ’em. This Age article documents Steve’s JetBlue episode, and also how air travel’s changed from a romantic adventure to a soul-destroying nightmare [8]. I agree [9]. And I’m sure it’s a nightmare for airline staff as well as passengers. Most do nothing about it. Which makes Steve’s defiant gesture even more epic. Messrs Coe and Paycheck would be proud of you, Steve. I am. And I’ll bet it won’t be long before you collect your next paycheck. Hopefully via self-employment.