Appeals Court Halts Religious Freedom Training for Southwest Airlines Attorneys

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 9, 2024 22:00 PMNews
Share:
Burbank airport boards straight from the tarmac
Burbank airport boards straight from the tarmac. Source: unsplash

Southwest Airlines secured a temporary halt on a religious liberty training order for its attorneys, as a United States appeals court determined that a federal judge likely overstepped his authority. This development follows a discrimination lawsuit won by former Southwest Airlines flight attendant Charlene Carter.

The Lawsuit and Initial Ruling

Charlene Carter, a former flight attendant with Southwest Airlines, filed a lawsuit in 2017 alleging she was terminated due to her anti-abortion beliefs. Carter's legal action was directed at both Southwest Airlines and her union. In July 2022, a jury found in Carter's favor, concluding that Southwest had wrongfully terminated her employment. The jury awarded Carter $4.15 million in back pay, pain and suffering, and other costs, while also ordering the union to pay $1.15 million. The judge later reduced the total penalty to $810,180, including $150,000 in back pay.

Controversial Training Order

As part of the ruling, a federal judge mandated that three Southwest Airlines attorneys undergo religious liberty training from Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group. This directive stemmed from Southwest’s failure to comply with a previous court order to inform employees about their rights concerning religious discrimination. Instead, Southwest circulated a memo explaining the reasons for Carter's termination, prompting the judge to impose the training requirement on the attorneys.

Appeals Court Intervention

Southwest Airlines appealed the decision, seeking to overturn the $800,000 award to Carter and the training mandate. A three-judge panel from the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans suspended the training requirement while the appeal is ongoing. The panel suggested that the 2023 ruling was likely invalid as it did not benefit the plaintiff, Charlene Carter. Typically, anti-discrimination training is mandated as a punitive measure and not as a penalty for attorneys uninvolved in the original misconduct.

Southwest Airlines’ Response

Southwest Airlines expressed optimism about the appeals process. In a statement to Reuters, the airline said, "We look forward to receiving a final decision on all of the issues involved in our appeal."

Background on Charlene Carter’s Case

Carter was dismissed after objecting to the union’s protest against former President Donald Trump’s inauguration and sharing her anti-abortion stance, including a video of an aborted fetus, with the union president. Following her termination, Carter’s legal action led to a judge ordering her reinstatement.

Ongoing Legal Battles

Southwest Airlines has argued that there was no need for religious freedom training and maintained that it had complied with the judge’s order. The airline also proposed issuing a corrective notice to address its previous communication with staff.

In Conclusion

The temporary block on the religious liberty training order represents a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Southwest Airlines and Charlene Carter. The appeals court’s intervention underscores the complexities of the case and the broader implications for workplace discrimination and religious freedom in corporate settings.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Malaysia Airlines aircraft being loaded at the airport gate

Malaysia Airlines Reinstates Brisbane Route with Expanded Regional Access

Apr 18, 2025 23:21 PM
Aerial view of a beach on Seychelles, with turquoise waves and granite rock formations

Seychelles Launches Marine Programme for Environmentally Minded Travellers

Apr 18, 2025 21:34 PM

Maintenance Work to Impact Summer Departures at Hannover Airport

Apr 18, 2025 19:48 PM

Severe Rail Disruptions Ahead of Marathon and FA Cup

Apr 18, 2025 17:23 PM
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 aircraft in mid-flight against a grey sky

Asia Travel Made Easier with New Airline Partnership

Apr 18, 2025 15:35 PM
Crowne Plaza hotel building under clear sky

Business Travel Gets Personal: New Hotel Perk Encourages Guests to Bring a Companion

Apr 17, 2025 23:31 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off from the runway during daytime

Easter Flights Bring Seasonal Comforts for Travelers

Apr 17, 2025 20:25 PM
Two people walking with an umbrella during heavy rain on a flooded street

Weekend Weather Threatens Travel Across South West England

Apr 17, 2025 18:47 PM
Wizz Air aircraft in flight against cloudy sky

Wizz Air Expands Naples Routes with New Travel Destinations

Apr 17, 2025 16:33 PM

Maui faces water shortage amid tourist comfort

Apr 16, 2025 22:39 PM

New Direct Flight Simplifies Travel Between Munich and Dubai

Apr 16, 2025 20:42 PM
Interior view of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 with immigration area and directional signs

Changi Lounges to Expand Space and Comfort Over Two Years

Apr 16, 2025 18:24 PM
Rail workers operating heavy machinery to replace tracks during infrastructure upgrade

Train Delays Expected on Pisa to Rome Line This Summer

Apr 16, 2025 16:37 PM
Traveler with suitcase watching airplane take off at airport terminal

Antalya Airport Upgrade Enhances Travel Experience

Apr 15, 2025 16:46 PM
Dynjandi waterfall cascading down a rocky mountain in Westfjords, Iceland

Iceland’s Expanding Appeal for Nature-Loving Travellers

Apr 15, 2025 14:53 PM

Flexible Antalya Trips Now Easier from Graz

Apr 15, 2025 12:37 PM

UK Rain Warning Triggers Travel Caution for Midweek Journeys

Apr 15, 2025 10:44 AM
Ryanair plane landing at airport

Hidden Fees and Access Problems Reported on eDreams

Apr 15, 2025 08:21 AM
Passengers seated inside a city bus

Electric Buses Make Exploring Exeter Smoother for Visitors

Apr 15, 2025 06:39 AM
Munich Airport's central plaza with glass roof and modern architecture

New Munich Route Eases Access to Canadian Rockies

Apr 14, 2025 23:56 PM
Rail workers conducting track maintenance during daytime engineering works

Easter Rail Closures to Impact UK Holiday Travel

Apr 14, 2025 21:42 PM
Ryanair airplane in mid-flight against a blue sky

Expedia Adds Direct Ryanair Bookings Amid Shift in Airline Strategy

Apr 14, 2025 19:38 PM

Traveler Left Without Wheelchair After Hawaii Flight

Apr 13, 2025 21:41 PM

Winter Closure of Burgas Airport Will Impact Air Travel

Apr 13, 2025 19:34 PM
View of an empty airplane aisle from a low angle, showing rows of seats and overhead bins

Avelo Faces Backlash Over Deportation Flight Deal

Apr 12, 2025 22:49 PM
Airplane at airport gate during sunrise with ground crew preparing for departure

Quick Getaways Changing the Way Europe Travels

Apr 12, 2025 19:51 PM