Steven Slater, the flight attendant who ditched his job by activating an emergency exit and ignited a national debate about job satisfaction and the demoralizing airline industry, has hired a Hollywood publicist. Slater held a press conference last Thursday expressing his desire to return to work (he has not been re-hired by JetBlue at this point) and has been seen out enjoying the beach and hobnobbing with celebrities. After he was heralded as a kind of hero for the fed up working man, some began to question his story. There have been reports on TMZ suggesting that Slater could have cooked up the stunt before the flight, and/or that he may have made up the story about the irate passenger as a convenient excuse.

Here’s the report from Radar on Steven’s new representation:

Steve Slater, the world’s most famous flight attendant, has gone Hollywood, RadarOnline.com has learned.

The former JetBlue employee, who became an instant celebrity last week when he exited a flight in dramatic fashion, has hired noted Los Angeles publicist Howard Bragman to represent him as he sorts through the many offers coming his way in wake of his newfound fame.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page Monday, Bragman said: “I can officially confirm that I am now representing Steven Slater. While my work will include media relations, my team at Fifteen Minutes and I will also be helping him sort out the scores of offers that have come through in the past week from media, producers, brands and other interested parties.

“I very much believe that Steven touched a nerve with the American people and am proud to be helping him tell his story at the appropriate time in the appropriate way.”

[From Radar]

Meanwhile TMZ reports that Slater has been offered a gig as a host of a reality show that helps people quit their jobs “in extravagant ways“. That’s just what we need in this economy. His new publicist talked to The Hollywood Reporter and confirmed that they’re fielding multiple offers, including “a reality show, hosting, endorsements, books and personal appearances. There’s been a huge array of things.”

Did this guy plan this all out and is it working out just as he hoped? How long until the public gets sick of him or has that point already passed? Or is he still the guy we wish we could be – the one that gives the finger to the big corporations and drunkenly rides out on an inflatable slide of fame and riches.