I don't condone what he did, but hell I can understand it. Some customers just don't want to cooperate and take the mentallity that "the customer is always right" way too far.
I would dare guess that something deeper than what the story says was bugging this guy. Maybe the said passenger got on his nerves the whole flight and this was "the straw that broke the camel's back" as they say.
I suspect he will lose his job over this. But when all the facts come out, if the passenger actually did not follow the rules, he should have some reprimand himself. As much as the employee must be held accountable for his actions, so should the other party.
That type of passenger would probably be the first to sue and airline for injuries even though it is by his own doing for not following procedures.
thanks for sharing the story!!
Dan