Muslim taken off flight alleges airline prejudice
Source: Agencies |
October 8, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A US Muslim removed from a plane in San Diego earlier this year is suing Southwest Airlines alleging discrimination because she was wearing an Islamic head covering.
Irum Abbasi, a psychology graduate student at San Jose State University, filed the lawsuit in a San Diego court.
Her attorney, James McElroy, said: "Suspicions were aroused because of her religion. She would not have been removed from the plane if she had been a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman."
Abbasi, a mother of three, was taken off the San Jose-bound flight in March as it was about to depart after a flight attendant thought she heard her say "it's a go" on her mobile phone. Abbasi "was horrified, embarrassed, humiliated and confused," the lawsuit stated.
In fact, Abbasi said "I have to go" because the plane was about to depart, according to the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.
Abbasi was searched and given clearance to reboard the flight within three minutes, but the pilot claimed the crew was uncomfortable flying with her and refused to let her return.
She was given an apology, a voucher and a boarding pass for the next San Jose flight. As a result, she missed a critical research experiment she needed to complete her graduate studies, the lawsuit alleged.
Chris Mainz, spokesman for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, said the airline apologized to Abbasi. He added: "Our employees raised a safety concern based on the customer's behavior, and we had a duty to thoroughly address those concerns."
Southwest is notorious for removing passengers. Last week, the airline ejected a female couple who kissed during a flight, and earlier this year it removed Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong and a University of New Mexico football player for wearing pants that were too baggy.
Irum Abbasi, a psychology graduate student at San Jose State University, filed the lawsuit in a San Diego court.
Her attorney, James McElroy, said: "Suspicions were aroused because of her religion. She would not have been removed from the plane if she had been a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman."
Abbasi, a mother of three, was taken off the San Jose-bound flight in March as it was about to depart after a flight attendant thought she heard her say "it's a go" on her mobile phone. Abbasi "was horrified, embarrassed, humiliated and confused," the lawsuit stated.
In fact, Abbasi said "I have to go" because the plane was about to depart, according to the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.
Abbasi was searched and given clearance to reboard the flight within three minutes, but the pilot claimed the crew was uncomfortable flying with her and refused to let her return.
She was given an apology, a voucher and a boarding pass for the next San Jose flight. As a result, she missed a critical research experiment she needed to complete her graduate studies, the lawsuit alleged.
Chris Mainz, spokesman for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, said the airline apologized to Abbasi. He added: "Our employees raised a safety concern based on the customer's behavior, and we had a duty to thoroughly address those concerns."
Southwest is notorious for removing passengers. Last week, the airline ejected a female couple who kissed during a flight, and earlier this year it removed Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong and a University of New Mexico football player for wearing pants that were too baggy.
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