TikTok videos of flight attendants twerking aren’t usually my beat, but I find this to be an interesting story, given the repercussions the flight attendant faced. I’m not sure whether to feel slightly bad for the punishment she received, or just amazed at her poor judgment. Thanks to A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge for flagging this.
In this post:
Former Alaska flight attendant starts GoFundMe over firing
In late November 2024, a (former) Alaska Airlines flight attendant and San Francisco native named Nelle Diala posted a video on her TikTok account that went viral overnight. It showed her twerking in the back of an Alaska Boeing 737 cabin in uniform. The video had the caption “ghetto till I die, don’t let the uniform fool you.” You can watch the 15-second clip for yourself below.
Not surprisingly, the company didn’t approve of this. What’s perhaps a bit more surprising (or maybe not, I don’t know) is that she ended up being terminated over the incident. She kept the video up after being terminated, and then changed the caption to the following (the hashtag is particularly interesting, as she’s suggesting she was discriminated against):
Cant even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive. Whats wrong with a little twerk before work, people act like they never did that before. #fyp #flightattendantlife 4evaa #discrimnationisreal
She has now started a GoFundMe to “provide support for a wrongfully terminated flight attendant.” While she has the goal of raising $12,000, in the nearly two weeks that the campaign has been up, she has only raised $70.
In the GoFundMe, Diala explains that she “never thought a single moment would cost [her] everything.” At the time of the incident, she had worked at the airline for just over six months, and was “celebrating the end of probation and making it out of a hard upbringing in San Francisco.”
She also explains that in her first six months at the airline, both of her English bulldogs died unexpectedly, and her “relationship was rocky” because of the time she spent away. Nonetheless, she says she really enjoyed her job, including “meeting new people, seeing the world, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for passengers.”
While being a flight attendant was her dream job, she was using the income from this to fund her “blossoming lingerie and dessert business.”
She states the above video was filmed one day during a layover. It was a “harmless clip” recorded at 6AM, while waiting two hours for pilots. The video went viral overnight, but “instead of love and support, it brought unexpected scrutiny.”
She acknowledges that posting the video “was a poor decision,” but she didn’t think it would cost her this job. Alaska reportedly accused her of violating the company’s social media policy. Despite her explaining that it wasn’t intended to harm anyone or the company, they decided to terminate her.
The GoFundMe is intended to make ends meet until she’s able to find another flight attendant position elsewhere. She states that she has learned from her mistakes, and those mistakes don’t define her.
My take on this Alaska flight attendant firing incident
I mean, where do we even begin here? I suppose there’s the broad question of whether posting this kind of content while in uniform is wrong, and then there’s the more specific question of whether this violated the company’s social media policy, and should lead to termination.
On the first topic, I’m conflicted. On the one hand, I really don’t understand how desperate so many people are for attention online, and what posses someone to want to act this way. Admittedly that’s probably in part because I’m an introvert, and I’m a little too old to be part of that generation. For that matter, I guess the reality is that she’s probably trying to get attention to promote her lingerie and dessert businesses, and build her “brand.”
On the other hand, I’m also not in the slightest bit offended by this, and I’m not clutching my pearls, or anything. I don’t understand why she wants to do this, but I also don’t really care. Like, there’s nothing terribly graphic here. Is this professional? No. But honestly, it offends me less than a flight attendant who provides bad service inflight.
The issue with many airline social media policies is that they’re quite open-ended. Typically these policies say things like “avoid posting anything that could negatively impact the company’s image,” and that will mean different things to different people. After all, this flight attendant thinks she was just being herself.
If she were a veteran flight attendant who had been at the airline for decades, I would probably feel bad for her. But if this was her way of celebrating having just gotten off her six-month probation, well… I feel a little less bad.
This ultimately just shows poor judgment. She’s also not taking full accountability here, and is attributing this to “discrimination.” There’s absolutely a ton of discrimination in this world, but I just don’t see how the argument can be made that this is what caused her to lose her job. I think the outcome would’ve been the same whether it would be a guy or a girl, or regardless of the nationality or ethnicity of the person involved.
Lastly, why would any Alaska flight attendant try to do a viral dance, when we all know that it’s impossible to outshine the Alaska Safety Dance! 😉
Bottom line
A former Alaska Airlines flight attendant was fired after she posted a video of herself twerking on a plane, which went viral. She has now started a GoFundMe, to help her with expenses until she finds a new flight attendant job (hmmm…).
This doesn’t seem like very good judgment for a flight attendant, but I also can’t say that I personally found the video to be that offensive.
What do you make of this former Alaska flight attendant being fired over her viral TikTok dance?
she can twerk all she want,,, just dont do it at her work place in her work uniform during work hours
If Alaska fired her for this video, they need to get a life. The video wasn’t offensive at all (and if you find it offensive maybe loosen the grip on your pearls), and she wasn’t on the clock when it was filmed. Sure she wasn’t in uniform on the plane, but it was fine and probably only generated positive or neutral attention to Alaska from those who came across it on TikTok.
Because I find...
If Alaska fired her for this video, they need to get a life. The video wasn’t offensive at all (and if you find it offensive maybe loosen the grip on your pearls), and she wasn’t on the clock when it was filmed. Sure she wasn’t in uniform on the plane, but it was fine and probably only generated positive or neutral attention to Alaska from those who came across it on TikTok.
Because I find it hard to believe Alaska would have fired this FA for something as tame as this video, and the fact that it came out right after her probation period, I have to imagine she was fired for either bad performance or Alaska just trying to cut back on employees before bonus time. Alaska firing her for this video would be absurd.
Glad Alaska got rid of that trash. She belongs at Spirit or Frontier.
Promote her to management she couldn't do any worse than Alaska is doing now
Where was her pole?
If she acts like that at work in uniform just imagine what she'll do to you on the drive home after a few tequila shots in the bar.
I don't see any passengers around. If it is an issue for Alaska I think a reprimand would be enough
She must file a complaint with
Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC)
Sfo re unlawful termination due to
Discrimination on the basis of her
Color complexion appearance
It is purely a racial discrimination
She must seek help of labor attorney in SF and also lawyer referral svc of
Sf county I can help her
You'd need to see Alaska's personnel records to determine if others who behaved in a similar way were also terminated. Only then can you determine if this was actually discrimination. Based on the video there's no way to determine that discrimination was involved.
Alaska is brutal on their frontline staff. There is no one in the cabin. Prolly not a good idea to post on TT but what is the harm? This is an awful world we live/work in. Alaska promotes the lazy and the lazy. Good employees seem to fall by the wayside...YMMV xxo
This is a whole lot about nothing.
There was nothing offensive in her expression of happiness.
Alaska airlines overacted in my opinion.
poor judgement. Why do it on a company plane in a company uniform? Do you drink in the airport or hotel bar in that uni? It's not the branding and image Alaska has paid millions to have in the consumer's mind.
Good luck in your new gig.
Most airlines have pretty strict social media policies, including unauthorized use of uniform and other company branded items. I've known FAs who have been terminated over much less "sensitive" social media content. If the FAs don't know their companies policies, is that a FA you want operating your flight experience? The FA was fired much more likely because she violated policy than because of the exact content in her video.
She did nothing wrong
Its stupidity of the company
What is very important, is what she does during the flight
Good luck for her in the future
Don’t you make posts on facebook for attention?
She's a happy girl and so cute! I would love to fly with her 0600 energy for two hours waiting for pilots and not getting paid. Shame on the person(s) who turned her in to HR.
I don't think this called for termination. A warning/reprimand would have been enough.
Lingerie and dessert business? Interesting combination for sure.
It was so crazy to see this happen
Jeez, tough crowd. That is a least offensive act resulting in a firing I’ve seen in years. Happy girl doing a happy little dance at 6 am, before serving a bunch of grumpy passengers? I’d give her a raise.
Sometimes, people need to be taught that there simply exist rules that are to be followed, based on someone else's authority, regardless of whether you personally think they're reasonable or not. If anything right now there is a little *too* much personal opinion that "I can do whatever I want" and just "be myself" in any setting whether appropriate or not.
Etiquette, social respect, and a bit of understated elegance are something that people...
Sometimes, people need to be taught that there simply exist rules that are to be followed, based on someone else's authority, regardless of whether you personally think they're reasonable or not. If anything right now there is a little *too* much personal opinion that "I can do whatever I want" and just "be myself" in any setting whether appropriate or not.
Etiquette, social respect, and a bit of understated elegance are something that people from lower classes need to be taught. We are not all equal in esteem.
"something that people from lower classes need to be taught"
Wow... I'm speechless.
I'm not talking about race, lest you think I'm being racist. I'm talking about class. And knowing how to behave properly in public or at work. Some people need to be taught that.
On an aircraft, in uniform? No wonder that ass got fired, girl.
AS flight attendants tend to be immature and unprofessional. One of the reasons I stopped flying AS.
Regis,
I must agree.
I've flown AS about forty segments across the last five years with an open mind and looking for that "Best care in the air" that many rave about. I found it on perhaps a quarter of the flights, and about 50/50 on the ground (SEA is good, forget about DFW).
The rest of the time, it was varying degrees if indifference or sometimes even hostility (fuming over contract items in...
Regis,
I must agree.
I've flown AS about forty segments across the last five years with an open mind and looking for that "Best care in the air" that many rave about. I found it on perhaps a quarter of the flights, and about 50/50 on the ground (SEA is good, forget about DFW).
The rest of the time, it was varying degrees if indifference or sometimes even hostility (fuming over contract items in the galley or blocking of the FC lavatory for FC passengers for over half an hour for no apparent reason - seat belt signs off and no one in the lavatory). Had one flight attendant, in uniform, make political comments to boarding passengers who were wearing "her type" of four-word statement.
Sadly, this twerk n' post does not surprise me in the least. Glad AS finally took some action against some employee disgracing their brand.
I work in Human Resources. We would fire her on the spot. You are a company representative. It's not about you when you are on company time. Be an adult. Tough lesson, learn from it.
To be fair, she was not on company time: if boarding had not started, and she had 2 hours to wait for pilots she was not being paid, so was not technically in a relationship of submission to her employer in exchange for remuneration.
However she "owes" the context of the video to the company, without the company she would not have been able to access the empty plane or a uniform. She used...
To be fair, she was not on company time: if boarding had not started, and she had 2 hours to wait for pilots she was not being paid, so was not technically in a relationship of submission to her employer in exchange for remuneration.
However she "owes" the context of the video to the company, without the company she would not have been able to access the empty plane or a uniform. She used the company assets (both physical and brand) for self promotion without obtaining prior consent from the company.
Would a warning have sufficed? Probably. We don't know how "well" she passed her probation period and to which extent Alaska wanted to set an example here. They used their discretionary power here.
Where are all the customers? If you are going out, go out with a bang! One more thing: those cameras in the bathrooms record a lot more!
It reminds me to book a flight on Alaska this year!
Lucky, this story is below you.
VFTW serves up this sort of dreck, in spades.
If you read his end of the year posts about which articles had the most traffic, they're all stuff like this. I don't begrudge him posting the occasional article like this which will attract viral traffic to keep the roof over his head, and allow him to publish longform trip reports about flying Uzbekitajikikyrgzstan Airlines :)
Think of the classy, elegant, intelligent, well spoken black women that fought back in the 60s and 70s to get hired as flight attendants. And then you have this moron that plays right into the stereotype that they fought against. WTF are teaching in public schools today?
LOL — maybe an OnlyFans account will be more lucrative than GoFundMe.
She knew what she was doing was against the company's image - she said as much in her "ghetto till I die, don't let the uniform fool you" comment. I wouldn't have to see this kind of thing, because I don't use TikTok. But my algo on other social media sites does occasionally throw stuff like this at me because I frequent travel blogs. And I don't want to see this and it does affect...
She knew what she was doing was against the company's image - she said as much in her "ghetto till I die, don't let the uniform fool you" comment. I wouldn't have to see this kind of thing, because I don't use TikTok. But my algo on other social media sites does occasionally throw stuff like this at me because I frequent travel blogs. And I don't want to see this and it does affect my image if an airline allows it.
You don't have to agree with me, and you can accuse me of "clutching my pearls" if you want, but I'm expressly the kind of customer that the corporation is trying to consider when they make strict social media policies.
But perhaps the biggest issue I have is turning this into a beg for money and playing the victim bs. She knew the policy, she broke it. Stop claiming wrongful termination, learn your lesson, and move on with your life.
She wasn't just fired for twerking; she was fired for recording it and posting it. I don't find the dance offensive; I would imagine one of Alaska's concerns is it encourages the sexualization of attendants, and so creates risk for her coworkers who are trapped in a small space with a couple hundred strangers for hours at a time. "Hostile work environment" doesn't even begin to cover it, and the airline made the right call IMO.
Get a job
This feels like a completely fireable offense. Inappropriate behavior in a company uniform in a company facility by someone in a position that makes them the face and representative of the company’s brand. This is not in line with their brand image and frankly feels out of sync with our vibe here in Seattle. Many of us up in here in our corner of the country love Alaska because it’s an escape from the obnoxious...
This feels like a completely fireable offense. Inappropriate behavior in a company uniform in a company facility by someone in a position that makes them the face and representative of the company’s brand. This is not in line with their brand image and frankly feels out of sync with our vibe here in Seattle. Many of us up in here in our corner of the country love Alaska because it’s an escape from the obnoxious riff raff that permeates the experience of flying other carriers.
I am glad she was let go. It’s unbecoming of Alaska’s service excellence. Maybe she can get a job in her class at Spirit.
"ghetto till I die, don’t let the uniform fool you.”
They could have used her on AL1282 to help plug the mid-air door blowout.
Ghetto "Taking pride in being ignorant and ill-informed, and demeaning or bringing down those who are excelling in their education"
"don’t let the uniform fool you"
^I think that little f u I'll do what I want even in uniform did not help the situation
As a “Stewardess” who fought the stigma of not being seen as a professional this individual does not deserve to wear the uniform and wings. She is better suited for a career in a strip club. Not on an airplane.
I'm glad we have all the facts.
One cannot wait to read what Eskimo will make of this exhibition.
Expletives might come thick and fast.
Clearly discrimination...against whoever they skipped over to hire this person just to check a box.
"Clearly discrimination...against whoever they skipped over to hire this person just to check a box."
What box is that? Be specific. Be specific and don't be racist. Go on. Try it.
Offensive? Debatable
Cringy and vulgar? Absolutely
I wouldn't want someone wearing my company's uniform while performing vulgar acts and posting it for the world to see. This is entirely different than her going out to a club or whatever, twerking and posting it on her private social accounts... what you do in your free time and keep to yourself/friends shouldn't be any of your employer's business. But the moment she decided to do that...
Offensive? Debatable
Cringy and vulgar? Absolutely
I wouldn't want someone wearing my company's uniform while performing vulgar acts and posting it for the world to see. This is entirely different than her going out to a club or whatever, twerking and posting it on her private social accounts... what you do in your free time and keep to yourself/friends shouldn't be any of your employer's business. But the moment she decided to do that in a plane, with a uniform, even if she wasn't actually "working", she dug her own grave. Even if there appears to be no malice behind it, the blame shifting and limited sense of accountability she seems to have, should not warrant a drop of compassion.
AS made the right choice
These Millenials/GenZ "influencers" need to take responsibility for their actions - She accepted the company's policies when she got the job, was wearing a company uniform, was on company time, and on company property....lesson learned the hard(er) way. Save your twerking for your own time.
That's a lesson learned that the company policy should be covered. Even if there was no firing, the making of the video did not help the woman. Yes, she can sue but will learn that suing is not an easy route. And, yes, there can be different thresholds for firing for different employees, even those who do the same job and have the same job title.
I heard of a teacher who expelled a...
That's a lesson learned that the company policy should be covered. Even if there was no firing, the making of the video did not help the woman. Yes, she can sue but will learn that suing is not an easy route. And, yes, there can be different thresholds for firing for different employees, even those who do the same job and have the same job title.
I heard of a teacher who expelled a student by falsifying a test failure when the student did very well. That is a clearer case of unfairness.
There is no "being yourself" when you work for someone else. Either play ball or you're out. Now she has plenty of time to make tictoc videos.
She used poor judgment to shoot that video while in her work uniform on a company airplane. Every employer has the right to select employees who exhibit professional professionalism and good judgment which this employee did not. I’ve got no issue with her getting the ax.
FAFO
Doesn’t bother me. I’m not offended. But then again I’m also not her employee (or is that was her employer?) and not my rules.
I’ve had to terminate people for posting picture of themself standing in front of the ticket counter logo sign with their middle fingers out (which funny enough the photo was found by a corporate person traveling who saw this agent messing with their phone and taking selfies during a delay...
Doesn’t bother me. I’m not offended. But then again I’m also not her employee (or is that was her employer?) and not my rules.
I’ve had to terminate people for posting picture of themself standing in front of the ticket counter logo sign with their middle fingers out (which funny enough the photo was found by a corporate person traveling who saw this agent messing with their phone and taking selfies during a delay so googled their name and found that photo in seconds). Or the agent who added me on Facebook then ten minutes later posted a video of himself planking on a customers suitcase while riding down the beltloader. Give me a second to grab my radio and come on in….
Perhaps there’s more to the story if she was truly off probation and isn’t Alaska Union (AFA)? Where is their protection? Or as usual is it not as straight forward as the “victim” makes it seem.
It's not offensive.
It's unprofessional.
Grow up.
There's a time and place for everything.
Companies aren't trying to "kill your fun or your vibe". They're trying to maintain their image of professionalism and expect you to do the same on or off the clock.
If you do it in a uniform that's identifiable as your employer it's always going to be a problem. Someone scrolling could easily mistake that for "official" Alaska post and the company doesn't want that.
Please don’t do these TMZ stories… that’s why I don’t read VFTW anymore.
If you read his end of the year posts about which articles had the most traffic, they're all stuff like this. I don't begrudge him posting the occasional article like this which will attract viral traffic to keep the roof over his head, and allow him to publish longform trip reports about flying Uzbekitajikikyrgzstan Airlines :)
He doesn't need it. He's basically #1 on SEO for 90% of airline and hotel reviews.
There's something about having class and decorum. And watering down your brand for garbage content like this.
Agreed - this is Gary Garbage.
I too stopped going to VFTW to avoid garbage like this. That and Gary’s poorly written articles that seem like Gary writes most of his incoherent articles after one too many PDBs.
Yeah, agreed that all the difference in my sympathies (or lack of) is that she was there for just 6 months.
I'd expect union intervention or something had she been in for years.