If you’ve ever worked for an airline, know someone who has (I dated a United Airlines flight attendant), or even just been a frequent flyer, you know that airlines have strict rules for their employees. After all, they’re representing a large and often conservative company.
Unfortunately, a former Alaska Airlines flight attendant, who goes by the name Alphanelle and TikTok handle @_jvnelle415, is learning this lesson the hard way. Alphanelle posted a video of herself dancing in uniform with the caption: “Can’t even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work? People act like they never did that before. #fyp #flightattendantlife4evaa #discriminationisreal.” You can view the video here:
@_jvnelle415 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 ♬ Ghetto – E.K.E.
Alaska Airlines Takes Action After Viral Video
The video, which quickly gained traction on social media, was shared on a popular flight attendant forum with the caption: “Flight Attendant Fired Over Viral Twerking Video Launches GoFundMe for Support.” In the video, Alphanelle (whose real name is Nelle Diala) appears to be having fun while waiting for pilots during a layover. She posted the video on her TikTok account, @jvnelle415, with the title “Ghetto Till I Die, Don’t Let the Uniform Fool You.”
While the video caught the attention of many, it also sparked backlash, with viewers criticizing the behavior as unprofessional and calling for her dismissal. In response, Diala reposted the video with the caption: “Can’t even be yourself anymore without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work?” Along with hashtags like #flightattendantlife and #discriminationisreal, her comment added fuel to the controversy.
The Firing and GoFundMe Campaign
Diala claims that Alaska Airlines fired her without offering her a chance to defend herself. She admits that posting the video was a mistake but believes her dismissal was unwarranted. Airlines, especially major ones like Alaska Airlines, typically have strict social media policies to protect their brand image. Any violation of these policies, particularly by employees posting in uniform, often leads to swift action.
As a result, Diala has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $12,000 while she looks for new employment. The campaign is designed to provide financial assistance during her job search. Diala explains that her flight attendant job was funding her lingerie and dessert business, which she describes as “blossoming.”
The Public’s Mixed Reaction
The feedback from both the flight attendant community and her followers has been mixed, with many expressing disappointment in her actions. Here are a few of the most popular comments on various forums:
- Vane: “The level of entitlement… you sign a contract, you follow it. It has nothing to do with ‘being sensitive’ or ‘discrimination’… it is just your inability to follow the company’s code of conduct. 🙄”
- Yasmine: “Now you know airlines are STRICT with their social media policy… In what world did you think twerking in uniform on the plane would be okay? 😭😭😭”
- Nunya Business: “Nothing wrong with twerking before work—only wrong to be doing it in uniform while on company property 😭 girl plz protect yourself and take it down.”
- FlyInTheSkyKendra: “The fact she’s on the plane and non-compliant in uniform doing this is wild.”
- Diana Jane: “Back when I was a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, we had such strict rules, down to even what lipstick we had to wear. She violated their policy, I’m not sure how she can defend her actions. 🤷♀️”
- Kris Watson Nix: “Actions = Consequences. It’s that simple… Her company has rules & she broke them = NO JOB. At the end of the day it all boils down to accountability for your actions something A LOT of society doesn’t understand nowadays.”
- Leyla Arsan: “If I’m donating to a GoFundMe right now, it’s for the displaced people in Altadena who lost their homes in wildfires. Not some silly girl who twerked her way out of a good job. Good luck 🤷🏻♀️ you live and learn… Hopefully.”
- Tobe Van Os: “She clearly doesn’t understand the part that we are ‘safety professionals,’ not pole dancers. Nothing wrong with being a pole dancer, but take it to the right venue. We have it hard enough dealing with people that don’t respect us.”
However, it’s not all negative. One of the most supportive comments on her page came from @Muysick: “You’re so pretty, I don’t want you to get fired over this girl.”
Alphanelle’s situation highlights the fine line between personal expression and professional responsibility, especially when working in a public-facing role. While her GoFundMe campaign is still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether she can turn this controversy into a positive outcome, either through her business ventures or by finding a new role within the airline industry.
