In this dystopian, pre-apocalyptic, post-capitalist twist on modernity we are collectively suffering through, there is perhaps no populace who bears the brunt of it more than social media managers for airlines.
Subject to the scorn, ridicule, and demeaning tweets of pissed-off travelers who already feel abused and fleeced, these humble behind-the-scenes tweeters maintain a state of Zen-like calm regardless of what is thrown their way.
Can you blame them for wanting to cut loose a little bit?
That’s what the person (Ryan), behind Alaska Airlines’ Twitter account did when noted media commentator Tomi Lahren complained about her experience.
Again, there’s not much that a social media manager can do. A person is clearly pissed, doesn’t cite any sort of remediable problem, but nonetheless feels the need to tweet it.
This time, Alaska Airlines apparently fought back.
Hi Tami, sorry for any troubles. Can you DM some details on where you experience went south? -Ryan https://t.co/t4ooDR29zz
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) June 5, 2017
Why did that random interaction rack up 18,000 likes? Because it was (perhaps indirectly) a reference to one of the internet’s most notorious beefs, between Lahren and rapper Wale.
(Long story short: He intentionally mispronounced her name in a song, she called him “Whale,” he mispronounced her name again, and Twitter ate it up.)
Everyone online LOVED this.
https://twitter.com/CovfefeInDaNorf/status/871541225068744706
https://twitter.com/calvinstowell/status/871561190853545985
Ryan deserves a promotion.
— Lauren Reeves 🏳️🌈 (@laurenreeves) June 5, 2017
It even made its way to Wale himself.
https://twitter.com/Wale/status/871548664363331584
Unfortunately, another social media manager chimed in, calling it an accident.
We really didn't mean to it really was a typo.
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) June 5, 2017
– Andre
To which…
Shut up Andre…GIVE US RYAN!
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) June 5, 2017
A thankless job, indeed.