On September 26th, Southwest Airlines dragged a pregnant woman off a flight because they say she had told them she had “a life-threatening allergic reaction” to animals. The airline went on to claim that the woman did not have the proper medical certificate to stay on board. If you search Southwest’s website however, you will find no such requirement.
RELATED ARTICLE:
“Our policy states that a customer (without a medical certificate) may be denied boarding if they report a life-threatening allergic reaction and cannot travel safely with an animal on board,” a Southwest Airlines spokesman said in a statement. “Our flight crew made repeated attempts to explain the situation to the customer, however, she refused to deplane and law enforcement became involved.”1
Watch the video below.
Anila Daulatzai, 45-years-old, who was changed with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, disturbing the peace, obstructing and hindering a police officer, and resisting arrest, feels she was the victim of sexism, racial profiling, and police brutality.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Her attorney, a civil rights lawyer named Arjun S. Sethi said in a statement,
“Contrary to the Southwest statement and various media reports, Professor Daulatzai never asked for the dogs to be removed from the plane, did not request an EpiPen, nor did she ever claim that her allergies were life-threatening.” 2
However, in spite of that, after Daulatzai took her seat in the back, she was approached by Southwest employees who asked her questions (she answered all their questions and was never asked for a medical certification).
“Despite trying to convince the crew that she would be completely fine on the plane, she was asked by another Southwest representative to leave the plane. Shortly thereafter the Maryland Transportation Authority Police pulled her from her seat by her belt loop, dragged her through the aisle exposed with torn pants, and humiliated her for the world to see in a now viral video.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Police later disparaged her, accused her of lying about her pregnancy, and made racist remarks about immigrants. They also handed her a list of criminal charges, which have no merit.” 3
Southwest did apologize and promised to contact her BUT should this have even happened at all? And I thought Southwest was one of the good ones…
RELATED ARTICLE:
