Steven Slater, the 38-year-old JetBlue flight attendant who cursed out a passenger and emergency-chuted to folk-hero status, said through his lawyer he wants to go back to work.

NEW YORK — The renegade flight attendant who cursed out a passenger and emergency-chuted to folk-hero status thanked the world for its support and said he wants to go back to work.

Steven Slater, 38, said through his lawyer Thursday he loves flying.

"His hope is to return to the aviation business," attorney Howard Turman told reporters as Slater stood by his side outside his home in Queens.

Slater's career appeared to end Monday when he went on the public address system after a JetBlue flight from Pittsburgh, swore at a passenger who he said had treated him rudely, grabbed a beer and exited via an emergency chute. He was later arrested.

Asked about Slater's desire to return to work, JetBlue spokesman Mateo Lleras said he has been released of duty pending the investigation.

By The Associated Press