Are You on the Verge of Having a Breakdown?

The world is clapping and applauding the Jet Blue flight attendant who lost it on the plane. 

But not me! A quick review of the story is a Jet Blue flight attendant had an unpleasant encounter with some rude passengers, (which is an everyday occurrence, by the way). He quickly grabbed the microphone and with many expletives told the passenger where to go, grabbed a beer, and deployed the emergency escape chute, exclaiming he “Had it and that he quit!”

I certainly have felt that way thousands and thousands of times. I have had clients talk to me in condescending tones, make a mistake and then blame me, and curse and yell at me, but I have not lost it. I have also felt that way with my children and even near perfect husband. The feeling is normal and understandable, but the action is not. Why have I never acted that way?

Because I get to control my response and my actions. And the second more important reason is that I love my job and my life, and for the most part the people  I deal with and live withare good and honest and don't deserve to hear me "go off." 

I am shocked, dismayed, and totally blown away by the Facebook response to this incident.  As many as 2,500 Facebook fans are saying, “Way to Go!”   The media has proclaimed him honorable and admirable.

So, now I am asking why do we value that? Why is that a good or respectful response? This gentleman had a great job with a great company and happened to meet some travelers who were less than nice... so what? How does that make it ok or even heroic to lose it?

If you feel like losing it there are real strategies you can take to get back under control, Try these tips for grasping reality:

Step away

I have no problem with him walking away, controlling his breathing, even putting an iPod in, and getting a quick fix of a great song or calling a friend to vent. However, standing in front of a microphone and cursing, and then putting people in danger by opening an emergency exit is not being a well-balanced gentlemen or a professional approach to being frustrated. 

While we can all acknowledge that we have felt that way – we need a toolbag of strategies to make sure we don’t act out in an innappropriate or dangerous manner. If you start to feel this “losing it” effect, be prepared to use these tips above.

Manage your stress level

Upon further research I realized the gentleman has a tough job, elder care issues, and possibly some financial worries. That is why stress management is critical to our overall health.One stragegy we teach is to number your stress on a scale of 1 to10, with a “10” being the worst thing in the world that can happen to you, like the death of a loved one. Being cursed out by a passenger should not even be a 5.

Reality Check

Once again the answer is clear here – this gentleman let the bucket of work come boiling over. We all empathize with the way he felt at the time, but he woke up Thursday morning, and felt regret – he wanted his job back. perhaps at the time if he had counted to 10 – things would have turned out much differently.

This was nothing more than “road rage” in the air. When someone behaves in a manner that ticks you off, acknowledge that “behavior” as annoying and just let it go!

Come on guys, don't applaud his behavior -get him a new daily planer that helps him get his buckets in order. 

What do you think? Have you applauded this nut?