Diaz V. Pan Am World Airways

Aviation Legislation
Diaz v. Pan Am World Airways
Ricky Whitted
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Introduction
The case between Diaz and Pan American World Airways is a classic example of various court cases directly linked to aviation legislation. Moreover, it shows the existence of sex discrimination policies that go against occupational qualifications in the field of aviation. In the plaintiff of “Diaz v. Pan American Airways Inc.,” Celio Diaz sent his application for the flight cabin attendant position with Pan American Airways. Unfortunately, despite being qualified for the position, his application was rejected in the basis that the company always hired female flight cabin attendant. The company argued that their policies permitted only women to be employed in the position of flight attendants. Due to the company’s action, Diaz filed a case with the EEOC citing the company’s failure to comply with Title VII since the company discriminated him based on his gender. Pan American Airways, on the other hand, claimed that gender is an important factor in the company’s take

Pan American Airways Inc. is a classic example of the various discriminations that occur in the aviation industry. Many job seekers especially male ones were denied the chance to operate as cabin flight attendants based on their gender. Although companies like Pan American Airways Inc. argue that their decisions to decline applications of qualified male attendants is based on business necessity, Fifth Circuit Court found out that there were no adverse effects that hiring male flight attendants like Diaz could subject their company operations or customers to. Based on the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, airline companies should adopt effective hiring policies that would ensure employees are hired based on their qualifications and experience rather than their gender, race, or other factors that may not add value to the company’s