kicked off southwest?

[MKCP5]

Okay, I know I am overweight. Half of america is overweight! I am paranoid though about our trip using southwest airlines. I have read and seen on TV where they force overweight people to buy a second seat before they allow them to board. Exactly how overweight are we talking? I think I will croak from embarassment if something like this happens. We flew American last year and I had no problems. Anyone have any specific info?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

If you can fit into a standard coach class airline seat, with the armrest down, and not overlap (so to speak) into the next seat over, as well as fasten your seatbelt without an extension, you should be fine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's actually not your weight, but your size that determines whether you need to purchase a second seat. You need to be able to sit in the seat with the arms fully down and without 'spilling over' into another seat, even if you're travelling with that person. It's even possible to need a seatbelt extender and still be able to fit safely into a single seat. Southwest's website has a full page of explanation.

 

[Jimdamedic]

If you go to the Southwest board at www.flyertalk.com and look at the FAQ it will answer a lot of your questions. The thing to remember is, if there is any question in your mind that you will need a second seat, by all means purchase it before you get to the airport. If the plane is not completely sold out, Southwest will refund the cost of your second seat. Almost always, you will get extra room at no additional cost to you.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have read and seen on TV where they [Southwest portrayed in a fiction TV show] force overweight people to buy a second seat before [being allowed] to board. We flew American last year and I had no problems.

Being forced to buy a second seat is a paradox unless the gate agent is a stickler. Any airline reserves the right to make persons too large for one seat buy a second seat but if extra seats are available then there is no need to. More likely (and only if the plane is absolutely positively full leaving no second seat available for instant purchase) the airline can make the larger person with just one reserved seat take a later flight without bump compensation but if somebody else had nowhere to sit that somebody else would be entitled to bump compensation.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Lewisc]

If a pax won't fit in one seat SW makes the pax purchase the second seat. They'll get a refund if the flight isn't full. The link to flyertalk will help explain it.

Really not a paradox. SW, like most airlines, overbook. The gate agent won't know if there is an extra seat until after all the passengers check in and any standby passengers are cleared. Many of the peak SW flights fly to MCO full. If the flight is half empty a gate agent might let is slide and a COS might be better off booking an off-peak non-stop flight on any airline.

Being forced to buy a second seat is a paradox unless the gate agent is a stickler. Any airline reserves the right to make persons too large for one seat buy a second seat but if extra seats are available then there is no need to. More likely (and only if the plane is absolutely positively full leaving no second seat available for instant purchase) the airline can make the larger person with just one reserved seat take a later flight without bump compensation but if somebody else had nowhere to sit that somebody else would be entitled to bump compensation.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Sleuth]

Let me give you an idea of mine & DH's experience on SW as DH was a "pooh sized passenger." My husband is bigger and weighed about 220, 5' 10" on our last trip. He had absolutely no problem fitting in the seats and has always carried his weight well. It probably has something to do with a height to weight proportional issue, but we felt the seats were more than roomy. Don't be worried, and if you are after reading the literature on SW's site give them a call and ask them for advice.

 

[mommic32]

I can give you my experience if it will help. I recently flew SW in May. I am a short size gal with most of my weight in my butt and stomach, According to the nice terms used on this board I am pooh sized. I flew down with my daughters all in the same row and had no problem with the arm rest down. BUT I did need a seat belt extender. Now on the way home we were all seperated and I sat on the isle side with a heaver size gentleman and we were also fine, but just like in any "row" type seat, we both wanted the arm rest. I felt that I did have to hold my arm on my stomach.. I hope that gives you a little more knowledge....

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I wont say how much I weigh but lets just say its definete pooh sized and I keep ds 13 next to me and we dont put the arm rest down. On our last southwest flight they didnt say anything to us and dh who is pooh sized himself had a lady next to him who also was spilling into his seat and couldnt get her seatbelt on etc. The southwest flight attendants never said anything to any of us. I would like to know about the seatbelt extender because I have a giant piece of plastic in my stomach and the southwest seat belts really dont fit on me. I cant have it tight or just right. I feel strange asking for one.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Don't feel strange. Your safety and comfort comes first. SWA flight attendants know this, and are really wonderful about helping out with such things.

 

[seashoreCM]

Now on the way home we were all seperated and I sat on the isle side with a heaver size gentleman and we were also fine, but just like in any "row" type seat, we both wanted the arm rest. I felt that I did have to hold my arm on my stomach.. I hope that gives you a little more knowledge....

Don't hold. If the person next to you gives you a hard time about extending halfway into the arm rest and no further, ask to be reseated before the flight departs. Take the point of view that the airline may not ask yhou to buy a second seat before asking the person next to you to buy a second seat if the person next to you is bigger.

Flight crew can be even better at helping out byh being extra careful getting by people seated as to occupy part of the aisle.

 

[simzac]

I am 5'10" and weigh 270. I have had no problems at all fitting into SW seats on our last 3 trips. Maybe this will help.

 

[KisstheGirl]

Anybody with experience with Northwest?

 

[MKCP5]

thanks so much guys. I'm sure I will be fine. A little apprehension, but I feel like I have a handle on it now. Can't wait for August!!

 

[bdcp]

Don't expect empty seats on flights. There was a story this week on airlines expecting being fully booked this summer as more people are flying again and there are less flights as well as smaller aircraft being used. With airlines having money problems and cutting costs, they're also cutting flights and size of planes.

 

[offtheice]

Okay, I know I am overweight. Half of america is overweight! I am paranoid though about our trip using southwest airlines. I have read and seen on TV where they force overweight people to buy a second seat before they allow them to board. Exactly how overweight are we talking? I think I will croak from embarassment if something like this happens. We flew American last year and I had no problems. Anyone have any specific info?

I have the perfect solution. Go get gastric bypass or the lap band done.. Never will be over weight again. I had it done in aug.. lost over 150lbs and went from 52 inch waste at 340lbs to now being at 187lbs and at 35 inch waste. .. Best thing I ever did.. knees dont hurt, and disney is more enjoyable now... Food doesnt consume my life anymore.

 

[MKCP5]

Yuck! Food doesn't consume my life. Some people will do anything in desperation though.

 

[offtheice]

Yuck! Food doesn't consume my life. Some people will do anything in desperation though.

Huh ? Desperation in what way. I just added 20 + more yrs to my life. I eat healthy . I live healthy now. Making excuses is just hiding that a person is overweight.

 

[MKCP5]

no excuses here. I am overweight. good for you that surgery worked. But your presumption to tell other people to undergo surgery with a very high mortality rate is obnoxious. I didn't ask for your opinion on how to lose weight. I asked for thoughts about an airplane.

 

[bicker]

We're not actually sure, yet, that gastric bypass yields the kind of longevity advantages that research shows that living at a healthy weight affords. The long-term impacts aren't as well-studied as those with regard to those who lose weight without surgery. I suspect that there will be a moderated advantage, but it won't be the full 20+ year advantage that folks maintaining a healthy weight for life enjoy. We'll probably both enjoy some advantages from our weight-loss, and (no offense intended) I believe that perhaps medical weight-loss would have some advantage over surgical weight-loss, but neither of us will likely enjoy the full benefits of having been a healthy weight for life. (Of course, my back surgery will probably put my expected longevity below yours.)