A Connecticut man undergoing chemotherapy for his cancer claims a Southwest Airlines gate agent assaulted him and refused to follow the company’s “extra seat” policy.
David Ford filed a lawsuit against the airline, claiming that a gate agent accused him of not being disabled and that he snatched his cell phone from his hands while he was recording the altercation.
The man said he purchased an extra seat for his flight from Hartford to Baltimore, Maryland on June 12, because he is dealing with side effects from cancer and has to frequently shift positions and walk around the cabin during the flight.
Southwest’s extra seating policy means that people who occupy part of an adjacent seat can purchase an additional ticket to use the space for themselves.
“The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification of a special seat request and helps us ensure that we can accommodate all customers on the flight. Most importantly, it ensures that all customers on board have access to safe and comfortable seats,” the company policy said.
A Connecticut man undergoing chemotherapy claims gatekeepers questioned his disability and physically attacked him
‘If you decide to purchase an additional seat, you can consult a customer service agent at the gate to obtain a seat reservation document for the additional seat purchased.’
Ford wrote in the lawsuit that when he went to check in at the counter, a gate agent told him, “You don’t look disabled” and “What makes you think you deserve a second seat?”
He alleged that the gate agent refused to issue the additional ticket he had already purchased and demanded to know his medical condition.
Ford demanded to speak to the supervisor and began recording the conversation on his phone.
A second gate agent came over and told Ford, “You won’t get an extra seat on my watch,” the complaint said.
When the second officer saw the man filming, Ford claimed the person climbed over the baggage weighing station to intimidate him, saying, “Stop filming or he’ll call the police.”
Southwest’s extra seating policy allows people who occupy a portion of an adjacent seat to purchase an additional ticket to use the space for themselves
While they waited for police to arrive, the man said the officer “physically” grabbed the phone out of his hand and demanded he know his password so the video could be deleted.
Eventually, a supervisor arrived and gave him Ford tickets for both seats he had purchased, allowing him to board his flight.
However, Ford said that once he was on the plane, the second gate attendant sat next to him and demanded that he delete the video from his phone, which he refused.
Ford is suing Southwest Airlines in federal court, seeking an award of compensatory damages, punitive damages and legal fees during the trial.
DailyMail.com has contacted Southwest Airlines and Ford for comment on this story.
