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An Alaska state senator, who was banned from Alaska Airlines for not following masking policies, said she asked to be exempted from legislative work because the ban prevents her from be present at the votes.
Earlier this year, the airline announced that State Senator Lora Reinbold (R), of Eagle River, Alaska, would not be allowed to fly on the airline after repeatedly refusing to comply. masking guidelines. Federal COVID-19 protocols require people using certain modes of transportation, including on airplanes, to wear a mask.
“We informed Senator Lora Reinbold that she was not authorized to travel with us for her continued refusal to comply with employee instructions regarding the current mask policy,” the airline said in a statement in April.
“This suspension is effective immediately pending further review. Federal law requires all guests to wear a nose and mouth mask at all times during travel, including throughout the flight, when boarding and disembarking, and when passing through an airport, “the airline said. continued.
Reinbold claimed she had been “reasonable” with airline employees and said she had “inquired about the mask exemption with employees hanging out at the counter.” She added that she had been respectful of the airline’s policies.
However, Reinbold on Thursday filed a request for exemption from legislative affairs because, due to the airline’s ban, it would not be able to travel to the capital, Anchorage Daily News reported.
Only one other airline, Delta Air Lines, serves Juneau. However, his service ends in September, as he is seasonal.
As a result, she asked to be excused between September 11 and January 15.
“Alaskan folks, I was in Juneau for a very long extended session from January to May and part of June. I am now in Juneau as the third non-special (so far unproductive) session ends on Tuesday. I asked to be excused because Delta’s last flight is on September 11, ”Reinbold wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“Sen Steadman and Von Imhoff have asked for a longer apology. Being excused does NOT mean you will not be here, it means the legislative process cannot be inhibited if you are not there, ”she continued.
People can only access Juneau by water or air, according to the Associated Press. The press service noted that the state Senate had approved his request.
“Maybe it’s time to move the legislature to the highway system. If the only airline, which has flights during the session to Juneau, can unconstitutionally prevent the ability of lawmakers to get to the capital safely and quickly, it could undermine our representative republic, ”she said. stated in his post on Facebook.
When asked to comment, an Alaska Airlines spokesperson told The Hill in a statement that Reinbold was made aware of the ban on April 24. The spokesperson noted that a review has since taken place and the decision has been confirmed. He also referred The Hill to the airline’s previous statement in April.
The Hill has contacted Reinbold for comment.
Updated at 15:57
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