Since this lawsuit could result in impacts to frequent flyers via either shutdown airline(s), increased costs or more boarding hassles, I am posting it here. This particular news article was taken from the Charlotte Observer.


Widow of Sept. 11 passenger sues United Airlines, alleging negligence led to hijacking
DERRY, N.H. (AP) - A woman whose husband died aboard one of the jetliners that slammed into the World Trade Center sued the airline Thursday, alleging company negligence led to the Sept. 11 hijacking.

Ellen Mariani of Derry filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the southern district of New York. Her husband, Louis Mariani, 58, was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to hit the center.

The couple were taking separate flights to California to attend the wedding of Ellen Mariani's daughter.

Initially, Louis Mariani had planned to stay home, thinking it was too expensive for both of them to go. But his wife raised money through yard sales to buy him a surprise ticket so he could see his stepdaughter walk down the aisle.

Mariani's lawyer, Don Nolan, said in a statement that the airline had a duty to "exercise the highest degree of care" for safety and should have stopped the hijackers from boarding the plane. The statement did not elaborate on what Nolan thinks the airline should have done differently.

Nolan said Mariani has decided not to apply for money from the federal Victims Compensation Fund, which is open only to those families who agree not to sue anyone for damages.

"Mrs. Mariani doesn't want the taxpayers' money," he said. "She wants her day in court with United Airlines."

Officials at United Airlines could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday. The phone line was busy at the airline's corporate offices in Chicago.

Comment: What exactly did she expect the airline to do? The security in place then, and still today would not have prevented this event from taking place. Do not blame the airlines for this terrible event.