October Term 2001 · Docket 00-1250
Does a uniform rule conflict with reasonable accommodation duties?
US Airways seeks to enforce a uniform rule. Barnett argues this rule violates disability accommodation laws.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Dellinger argued the law requires reasonable accommodations.
Center stated four key points for the case.
Rehnquist closed the oral argument session.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 33-33
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
US Airways wants a uniform rule to stand. Barnett wants the rule struck down as discriminatory.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 4, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
US Airways wants the uniform rule enforced.
Barnett wants the rule declared discriminatory.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
What each side says
US Airways argues the rule is a neutral business policy.
Barnett argues the rule fails to accommodate disabilities.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
What the justices asked
Does a uniform rule violate accommodation duties?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 33-33
Why it matters
Employers must balance uniform rules with accommodation duties. This case defines that legal boundary.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 33-33
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.