Illness Disrupts Southwest Flights

Southwest Airlines canceled about 40 flights Wednesday because a high number of flight attendants called in sick.

No Spokane flights will be affected, said Ed Stewart, Southwest’s director of public relations.

“For Spokane, the effect will be zero,” Stewart said Wednesday afternoon.

Southwest spokeswoman Kristie Kerr estimated at least 90 flight attendants called in sick at the airline’s bases in Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Chicago and Oakland, Calif. Some workers showed up for flights but were sent home by doctors.

“The doctors are just saying a lot of illnesses are circulating right now,” she said. “For everyone’s benefit, we don’t want anyone flying who is sick.”

Southwest has 4,400 flight attendants and must have three available for each of its 2,300 flights per day. Because many trips cover short distances, an attendant can fly as many as eight per day.

Both the airline and the flight attendants’ union said the high number of illnesses was not a protest.

“It’s just a coincidence,” said Shea Spencer, an officer for the Transport Workers Union.

, DataTimes