A SkyWest Airlines employee is fighting his company to demand free travel for his partner. In the airline business, it is common for employees and their spouses to receive free travel (on a “space available” basis). On SkyWest, this perk extends only to heterosexual co-workers, but not to Gilbert Caldwell’s husband.
Last year, the California State Court legalized same sex unions, and under that law, the airline should be treating its same sex couples the same way it treats heterosexual couples. Even though the law was overturned, couples that married before the rules were changed, are legally married according to state law.
The position of SkyWest is quite odd – they provide regional feeder flights for larger airlines like Delta, and many of those larger airlines do treat their gay employees equally.
With the law on their side, the case is just one step away from turning into a lawsuit. Personally, I hope SkyWest just does the right thing. This isn’t just about the law, but about two of their employees who just want to be treated equally. Not special perks, not better treatment, just the same treatment all other employees get.