Ex-Alaska Airlines flight attendant Nelle Diala was terminated after posting a twerking video on TikTok. The twerking video was posted to mark the end of her probation period. Diala was seen twerking while she was in her Alaska Airlines uniform.
Violation of Social Media Guidelines
Alaska Airlines terminated Diala for violating the airline’s social media guidelines. The 20-second video was filmed while Diala was waiting for the captain to arrive during a layover. According to New York Post, she did the video to celebrate the end of her new hire probationary period.
In her original TikTok video, the caption says: “Ghetto Till I Die, Don’t Let the Uniform Fool You.” Some viewers called her behavior inappropriate.
Fired Over TikTok Twerking Video
While Diala’s excitement was short, after getting fired by Alaska Airlines, she thought that the decision was unfair. She later reposted her video with a commentary saying, “Can’t even be yourself anymore without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work?”
She also claims that she was was discriminated by the airline, using the hashtag #discriminationisreal. Diala was quoted saying, “I never thought a single moment would cost me everything.” She added, “Losing my job was devastating.”
She also mentioned how her job as a flight attendant helped her fund her lingerie and dessert business. And while she’s looking for new employment, she is now asking $12,000 via GoFundMe. She said that donations will help her make ends meet “due to this sudden loss of income.”
In a statement, Alaska Airlines said: “While we don’t comment on personnel matters, we hold all flight attendants to high standards for conduct and guest care. All new flight attendants are subject to probationary periods, just like all Alaska Airlines employees.”
Diala considers her actions a lapse in judgment. While she was surprised by Alaska Airlines’ action, she still hopes to pursue a career in the industry.
As of Friday morning, she raised more than $2,000. She wrote, “I’ve learned from my mistakes and those don’t define me….We listen and we don’t judge.”
