On March 19th, it was all over the news - the frequent safety incidents involving American Boeing aircraft have undeniably sparked global concern, particularly among frequent flyers.
And who else but the ever-entertaining Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, decided to stir the pot? Musk took to the X social platform to share a mocking image aimed at Boeing. Little did he know, this sparked a chain reaction among netizens, with many showcasing their own creations, resulting in a cascade of creative memes.
Musk's post featured two images. On the left was the infamous "door-off" incident that occurred on January 5th of this year. On that day, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, a Boeing 737 MAX9, experienced a critical malfunction shortly after takeoff. The emergency exit door detached from the aircraft, causing interior panels to dislodge as well. This compromised the structural integrity of the aircraft, resulting in rapid depressurization of the cabin and necessitating an emergency landing.
The image on the right appears to be AI-generated, depicting a male passenger about to board a plane holding a screwdriver with other repair tools in his backpack. The caption reads, "Screwdrivers and drills are now allowed on Boeing flights for passengers to assist with repairs."
This sarcastic post has captured the attention of many netizens. Within 24 hours of its release, it garnered over 47.2 million views, 375,000 likes, and was reposted 38,000 times. The comment section became a "carnival" of mockery toward Boeing, with various memes flooding in.
Someone showcased a variety of repair tools, including drills, screwdrivers, glue, duct tape, and more. Meanwhile, others used AI to create memes and the like, all with one common theme: mocking the quality issues of Boeing airplanes.