Most people don’t garner national headlines when they tell their bosses to “Kiss Their Grits” and move on to greener pastures, a better dental plan, and a new cubicle. (Although Peter Finch’s infamous “I Quit This Shit” speech earnerd him an Oscar). And as always, it’s most polite to give two weeks notice if you’re planning on leaving a company. But for abused flight attendant Steven Slater, even five minutes notice was too much trouble.

After quarreling with an unruly passenger during a flight from Pittsburgh to New York City early Monday afternoon, a livid Steven announced to more than 200 passengers on board that the “Friendly Skies” could take their credentials and shove ‘em where the sun don’t shine.

Apparently, the argument began when the passengers’ luggage fell from the overhead compartment and hit Slater in the head. Slater demanded an apology, but the passenger refused.

“To the passenger who called me a motherfucker, fuck you. I’ve been in the business 28 years. I’ve had it. That’s it!” Slater bellowed over the intercom. He then grabbed a beer, activated the plane’s emergency slide, scooted down to his new gig as a “Former Flight Attendant,” and ditched the plane on the runway.

Run and tell that! Talk about making a Grand Exit!

Here’s where things get dicey.

Slater was arrested near his home in the Belle Harbor section of Queens, NY by Port Authority officials a short time later. He’s been slapped with charges of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing. Authorities claim Steven could have seriously hurt someone when he blew off his gig in a blaze of glory. The emergency slide would leave more than a “Love Tap” if it struck someone on the Tarmac while being deployed.

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Slater was arraigned Tuesday, and while the criminal justice system may be less than impressed with his mid-air outburst, Steve’s quickly becoming the new folk hero of the disgruntled and overworked service industry. Facebook pages have already been set up to tribute Slater’s gutsy departure. Now an exploit of legendary proportions, Steve’s meltdown has even been immortalized in a CGI video by the same Taiwanese company that make the Tiger Woods and Al Gore animations.

There are even t-shirts up for grabs.

After cooling his heels behind bars all day, Steven was released from a Manhattan jail on Tuesday on $2,500 bond. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 7 years behind bars.

Dude’s got almost as much rage as Mel Gibson — but at least he proved the emergency slide actually works! We’re campaigning for inflatable exits and beer coolers in office building across the US. If we all had inflatable escape slides at our jobs, I bet 80% of Americans would be ditching their gigs and spending time tanning at the beach!

What do you think, PopCrunchers? Are you Team Steven?