October Term 2021 · Docket 21-309
Do FAA exemptions cover airport workers?
Southwest Airlines and a former employee dispute who qualifies for FAA arbitration exemptions.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Ms. Bennett argued Congress could have specified vehicle workers if desired.
Mr. Dvoretzky argued the FAA exempts only workers on moving instruments.
Justice Sotomayor noted cargo handlers are part of transportation commerce.
Ms. Bennett stated seamen and railroad employees share industry work duties.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-19
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The FAA exempts certain workers from mandatory arbitration. Southwest argues only those on moving vehicles qualify. Saxon claims all interstate commerce workers qualify.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-15
What each side wants
Southwest wants the FAA to exempt only workers on moving vehicles.
Saxon wants the FAA to exempt all interstate commerce workers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
What each side says
Southwest argues the FAA text limits exemptions to specific vehicle crews.
Saxon argues the FAA text broadly covers all interstate commerce workers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if border crossing is required for coverage.
Justice Sotomayor asked how cargo handlers differ from railroad crews.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-19
Why it matters
This case defines which workers can avoid mandatory arbitration. It affects millions of employees in transportation and logistics industries nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
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 10, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-19
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.