Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon.
In Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon, the Supreme Court addressed whether ramp supervisors at Southwest Airlines, who load and unload cargo, are exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act under the exemption for workers engaged in interstate commerce. The Court concluded that Saxon, as a ramp supervisor, is part of a class of workers engaged in interstate commerce, thus exempt from the FAA's coverage. The decision focused on the ordinary meaning of 'engaged in commerce' and the role of cargo loaders in interstate transportation.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon.
The Court held that Saxon belongs to a 'class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce' to which § 1's exemption applies.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Commerce Clause is relevant to Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon
The case revolves around whether Saxon belongs to a class of workers engaged in interstate commerce, which directly involves the interpretation of the Commerce Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: Saxon belongs to a 'class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce' to which § 1's exemption applies.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon that support the summary and concepts above.
Saxon belongs to a 'class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce' to which § 1's exemption applies.
The act of loading cargo onto a vehicle to be transported interstate is itself commerce.
Airplane cargo loaders are such a class.
