Southwest determines mechanical delays caused by God

According to a recent article in the Arizona Daily Star newspaper from Tucson, Arizona, Southwest Airlines has very quietly added ‘mechanical difficulties’ to the list of acts of God that they are not responsible for if a flight is delayed is canceled. Given that the Dallas-based airline is headquartered in the heart of the Bible Belt, maybe such an addition to its Contract of Carriage shouldn’t come as a complete surprise, but then again, isn’t determining that a mechanical problem is an act of God perhaps going just a wee bit too far?

Southwest, when questioned about the silent change to its passenger contract downplayed the significance. Its spokesman said that the airline would continue to assist its passengers in the future just as it has in the past. But why then the change, and why not make it known that such a change had been made rather than just hush-hush the whole thing?

Adding mechanical delays as an act of God is, according to Southwest, a way to “limit our exposure to liability”. But shouldn’t an airline be responsible for maintaining its aircraft so that they operate safely and as closely to schedule as possible? I don’t think, nor do I believe that any sane traveler would honestly believe that God has much to do with whether an aircraft mechanical situation occurs.

The airline’s spokesman also told Daily Star reporter Carol Ann Alaimo, that making this adjustment to the Contract of Carriage makes Southwest “more consistent with the industry standard.” Being a sharp reporter, Ms. Alaimo reviewed the same contract for Delta, American, Continental and American, finding that none of the four legacy carriers considered mechanical difficulties to be beyond their control.

Industry analysts queried about Southwest’s new language were unanimously surprised, but also predicted that the other carriers would match the change after the dust has settled. They’ll figure that if Southwest can say mechanical delays are caused by God, so can they. Hell (sorry God), Southwest is the most successful airline in the country, so they must know, right?

As a frequent flier who encounters his share of mechanical delays and cancelations, I’m curious to see if the Christian, Muslim, or, oy vey, the Jewish God is the one delaying my flight. For Minnesota air travelers seeking God, Southwest flies from Terminal 2/Humphrey at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.