Southwest Airlines has asked a US federal court to stop its mechanics writing up minor maintenance issues the airline believes is part of an illegal job action designed to wreak havoc on its operations. In a Feb. 28 filing before the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the Dallas-based carrier laid out its case that the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is coordinating the campaign as part of ongoing and contentious contract talks that began in mid-2012.