JetBlue plays coy about Slater fiasco

NEW YORK (AP) - JetBlue is finally talking about its famously flippant flight attendant ... sort of.

In a company blog posting, the airline poked fun at the attention directed at the case of Steven Slater, who cursed out a passenger over a plane's loud speaker on Monday and then jumped down the emergency slide.

"Perhaps you heard a little story about one of our flight attendants?" the blog joked. JetBlue didn't disclose any information on the case, saying it will let "people speak on their own behalf."

In a posting titled "Sometimes the weird news is about us," JetBlue noted while it isn't talking, plenty of others have formed opinions.

"Like, the entire Internet," the entry read. But "it wouldn't be fair for us to point out absurdities in other corners of the industry without acknowledging when it's about us."

The airline, which is based in the New York City borough of Queens, attracts passengers with ads that mock the often-uncomfortable and high-priced travel experience on other airlines.

JetBlue also acknowledged that Slater's action has resonated beyond airline employees, saying the event "may feed your inner Office Space," a reference to the 1999 comedy about disgruntled technology workers.

The airline gave $100 vouchers to all 100 passengers aboard Monday's flight, including to the traveler who sparked Slater's meltdown.

"JetBlue often provides vouchers to our customers when they experience a disruption or otherwise abnormal circumstance," airline spokesman Mateo Lleras said.

Slater is currently suspended pending a further investigation. Public comments on the blog overwhelmingly urged JetBlue to give him his job back.