Courtney Love has never been one for subtlety. Exhibit No. 1,146: On Feb. 4, en route from L.A. to London, the rocker reacted with characteristic bravado when a flight attendant—citing post-9/11 security precautions—barred Love's coach-ensconced assistant from visiting first class. The singer responded by "[using] abusive language," says a Scotland Yard spokesman. Acknowledges Love: "I cussed at a lady. My daughter [Frances Bean, 10] is always saying I have a potty mouth." A source close to Love adds, "Did Courtney call the flight attendant an inelegant, coarse name? Yes. Is everything else blown out of proportion? Yes."

Nonetheless, the incident was grave enough to get Love, 38, arrested. (She was released 10 hours later with a warning.) It's only the latest drama for the widow of Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain. In December Love stunned the staff of the British music magazine Q when she stripped down to a thong during a photo shoot, streaked through London streets and underwent a bikini wax in a roomful of people.

Ironically, Love was fresh from spending several weeks in Maui working on a new album and "getting her head together," says a source. She had temporarily moved to London from her L.A. home to prepare for her role as Lady Macbeth in a planned screen adaptation. Now only one thing is certain, says a friend: "She's getting the hell out of London."