Pilots for Southwest Airlines are calling for compensation from Boeing after its 737 MAX planes were grounded.
On Wednesday, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association — which represents nearly 10,000 pilots — said it's "seeking compensation and reimbursement from Boeing for every dollar legally available to be challenged, when the MAX issues are resolved."
Southwest has 34 Boeing 737 MAX planes, the largest fleet of any airline. It's removed the MAX from its schedule until September at the earliest, but points out, "There is no accurate estimate of when the MAX will return to service."
Boeing's 737 MAXplane has been grounded since mid-March after software malfunctions potentially led to two separate crashes in a span of months. The crashes killed 346 passengers and crew members. Officials have said the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, otherwise known as the MCAS could have caused both crashes.
Southwest's pilots union is also calling for a number of changes on the 737, including crew seating, flight deck noise, health, safety and comfort. The union said, "On the 737, pilots have basically been an afterthought as evidenced from the non-disclosure of MCAS to the aforementioned issues."
