Southwest Pilot Assaulted a Flight Attendant Over Mask Dispute

Mask-wearing disagreements usually happen with passengers. However, this time around, it involved a Southwest pilot and a flight attendant. The mask dispute happened at a hotel bar in a California hotel where the crew was spending a night. A Southwest Airlines pilot allegedly assaulted a flight attendant after having an argument over masks. The pilot was charged with assault and battery after the incident.

Mask Dispute

According to Sgt Christian Camarillo, public information officer for the San Jose Department, “The event involved a disagreement over mask wearing or masks”.

The carrier placed the pilot on leave while the incident is investigated according to Southwest spokesperson Brandy King. King confirmed that there was a “crew disagreement” when the Southwest workers stayed in the hotel.

However, King said that “We do not have information regarding the context of the event”.

The incident happened on a Monday night. And by Friday, October 22, Southwest sent a memo to pilots and flight attendants. According to the memo, “Crossing the line in a heated conversation can be a violation of our guidelines for employees and can even end in loss of job”.

The memo added that “We realize there has been a steady drumbeat over the last 19 months about civility and respectful discourse – and that is for good reason”. The memo reminded employees to “treat everyone with respect and honor our differences without pushing our ideals on someone else”.

Southwest vice president of flight operations Bob Waltz and vice president of inflight operations Sonya Lacore suggested in the memo that flight crew should receive a briefing at the start of a trip. The briefing will have to “set the right tone” regarding concerns and expectations. Also, the memo reminded employees that everyone should wear a mask even during briefings.

Civility at All Times

The memo reminded everyone that “Being off-duty is never an excuse to ignore the Golden Rule”. It added that “Everyone has a different story before coming to work, and many times the best support we have is one another”.

Southwest’s flight attendant union extended its support to the flight attendant. However, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, representing the carrier’s pilots did not issue a statement.