New York - A former JetBlue flight attendant who became a celebrity after exiting down his plane's emergency chute after a dispute with a passenger, was ordered on Tuesday to undergo a year-long mental health programme.
Steven Slater, 38, pleaded guilty in court to two counts of criminal mischief. He was also ordered to undergo alcohol and substance abuse counselling, prosecutors said in a statement.
A prison sentence of one to three years will be withdrawn if Slater complies.
Slater became an overnight celebrity after the August incident, which began with a dispute with a passenger over overhead luggage.
It ended with Slater quitting his job over the loudspeaker system, cursing, grabbing a couple of beers, and sliding down the aircraft's emergency chute at New York's JFK airport.
Slater was also ordered to reimburse JetBlue $10 000 to cover the costs of repairing the emergency chute.
“The defendant finally has recognised the seriousness of his actions and is willing to accept responsibility,” District Attorney Richard Brown said, adding that the sentence “fairly balances the seriousness of the charges against the need for the defendant's rehabilitation”.
It was also announced on Tuesday that Slater would give his first television interview to journalist Larry King on CNN on October 26. - Reuters