Pooh sized passengers to pay more on SWA

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Since no one made any mention of the policy as stated on SWA's website I went an read it for myself. It is not just aimed at our larger friends, it is aimed at anything that deprives another passenger of the space they have purchased. Personally, I see nothing wrong with not being encroached upon.
Here is the policy as stated on the web site. Leave it to the press to leave out some of the salient points.
Perhaps we should (myself included) read a policy before reacting to the media's slant on things.



Since 1980, Southwest Airlines has maintained a policy, for purposes of Customer safety and comfort, of requiring a Customer to purchase a second seat if the Customer needs extra space for a large or fragile item, such as a musical instrument, or if the Customer's girth is larger than one aircraft seat. Below are a few points to help clarify our policy:


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Customers who reserve and purchase a discounted, advance purchase fare will be charged the same fare for the second seat, even if the advance purchase requirements are not met at the time of the second seat purchase. A Customer who is holding an unrestricted walk up fare will be charged the appropriate discounted Child's Fare for the second seat.
Once travel has been completed, if the flight is not full, the Customer can request a full refund for the second seat by contacting Southwest Airlines' Customer Relations Department.
This policy was designed to accommodate Customers needing extra space, regardless of the reason (e.g., personal comfort, artwork, child safety seats, large or fragile musical instruments).
The policy is intended to promote the safety and comfort of all Customers onboard and to ensure that no Customers are deprived a portion of the space they have purchased.

Also, here is the link.

http://www.southwestair.com/about_swa/press/additional_seat.html
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[ducklite]

Originally posted by PhotobearSam
$200 r/t from where?
Not lately here...Prices are high.

I just looked yesterday on travelocity, there were several carriers offering YOW to MCO for under $200 r/t. Even with the exchange, the cost of buying three seats for two people at that rate is not prohibitive.

Anne

 

[Andrew_Lubow]

I'm a plus size fellow and have no problem with buying a second seat.

 

[pokeysmom]

DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF THE FRIENDS FLY FREE RATE COULD NOW BE USED BY JUST ONE PERSON BUYING A SECOND SEAT THIS WOULD BE CHEAPER THAN PURCHASING AN EXTRA TICKET IF YOU ARE A SINGLE PERSON FLYING OR IF YOU HAVE AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE FLYING?

 

[sgtdisney]

What I am wondering is if a 'pooh sized' person did buy 2 seats, but got to the airport at the last minute and therefore boarded last will SWA guarantee that they will get two seats together... It will be rather hard to spread yourself across 2 seats if they are in opposing sections of the plane. Does SWA have the authority to ask a person to change seats so the person who bought two seats will have them. It is just another question that SWA probably will have to address. And, if SWA does do this, then what about the family or couple who buy 2 seats (or more).. Why can't they insist on having seats next to each other.. I guess time will tell how this plays out...

 

[PhotobearSam]

Originally posted by ducklite


I just looked yesterday on travelocity, there were several carriers offering YOW to MCO for under $200 r/t. Even with the exchange, the cost of buying three seats for two people at that rate is not prohibitive.

Anne

That sounds great. I looked at the site but the best I can find is $180 one way. Do you have a link to the return flight. We would love to take a quick trip to Nver never land for a break before we move. Thanks for any info you may find.

 

[M. Eisner]

I always enjoy it when this topic resurfaces every year. Airlines are a business, the more seats they get in a plane the cheaper the fares are. First people will complain they want large seats and more leg room. Then the fares would go up and, being Americans, we'd start to whine about how high the fares are. Making people buy two tickets for two seats because they are too large is not discrimination. Americans are getting fatter because we eat more and do less. Simple as that. Travel to Europe and look at how thin people are there. They ride bikes to work or walk, and eat less. It isn't genitics, because most of the U.S. can trace their roots to Europe. Please... everyone in the U.S. wants to be the victim of something. Accept what policy the airlines have, and if you don't like it, try driving or taking a train or hitchhiking or whatever else.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

M. Eisner
Wow, you said a mouthful and I totally agree. Just goes to show, you cannot please everyone.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

pokeysmom
that promo has been over for almost a month now. Not really important to this discussion, but, if it were, I cannot think how anyone could call their pooh size body a friend. I belive you would need 2 distint bodies.

 

[adamak]

No easy answer for this one. I'm thin, so always assigned the middle seat when I'm travelling alone. I don't mind that usually. But sitting next to a plus-plus size person next to me can sometimes be uncomfortable.
On the other hand, I do not think it's fair for them to pay for 2 seats either. That's very expensive if they're flying cross country.

And as others say, what about screaming kids? Where do we draw the line of 'comfy' flying?

I personally think there should designated seats for large size persons, and kids sections. Make those seats wider. You don't need to re-configure your whole plane, just take 3 seats and make them 2. Then assign them accordingly. That way, customers are happy, and airline don't have to lose so much money for reconfiguration.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by adamak
I personally think there should designated seats for large size persons, and kids sections. Make those seats wider. You don't need to re-configure your whole plane, just take 3 seats and make them 2. Then assign them accordingly. That way, customers are happy, and airline don't have to lose so much money for reconfiguration.

I have always liked the idea of kids sections in the back of the plane--get them in first so they can take the time they need to settle in without holding the rest of the boarding process up when they're in row 9 with a toddler in a car seat and a lap baby.

BUT, I do NOT like the idea of reconfiguring seats to accomodate large people. Lost seats=lost revenue=more expensive plane tickets for you and me and everyone else. I like to sit in certain rows. I almost always book early and get my selection. AM I now not going to be able to sit in that row because I'm not a large person? What if I select those seats, get to the airport and am told that my family will be broken up and scattered around the plane because our seats are being given to large people, and there aren't three seats together anywhere else? How is that fair? Where will you draw the line on who gets those seats. If I'm paying the same amount for my ticket, why shouldn't I have the same oportunity and seat size? Why should I be penalized for maintaining a healthy weight?

The average American female wears a size 14. The average male is 5'8 and weighs 170. That can easily fit into a standard seat configuration. The airlines base things on averages, which they should. If a person is too large for a standard seat, other pax should not be affected by what I feel is a personal problem. They should not have to share their seat, nor should they have higher fares to accomodate the 28% of Americans who are obese.

If obese pax should get a larger seat without paying for it, then why shouldn't skinny pax get a rebate on the space they aren't using? Where does it stop?

Anne

 

[sgtdisney]

I disagree about having a children's section on a plane, aside from it being next to impossible to enforce, it wouldn't be fair. Some children cry, others do not. I have been on flights with some pretty rude adults and would have taken a crying baby over them any time. Plus, unless the partitioned the aircarft off, how would you like to be seated in the aisle in front of the children's section...

Seriously, if we seperate the children into one section of the plane, what is next? How about a section for overweight people, then what about the rude adults section, then next the ugly, or smelly people section. It could go on and on. Children, who cry aren't doing so to upset people around them and if the parent is considerate they will do everything possible to comfort and silence them.

I really think the point here is that you are buying *A* seat on a flight going from point A to point B. You have the right to that seat and not the one next to you unless you paid for it as well. Think of it this way, how would you feel if your neighbor built a fence 5 feet into your property line. Would that be fair because they wanted more space? You want more space, buy more property. Period.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
I disagree about having a children's section on a plane, aside from it being next to impossible to enforce, it wouldn't be fair. Some children cry, others do not.

It's not the children crying that makes me think it makes sense. It's the amount of time it takes people with kids to board and deplane. Face it, regardless of intent and how much they fly, it takes longer to get kids down the aisles and into their seats. The point is to seat them in the back of the plane so they can get settled in while the seats in front of them load, without worrying about blocking aisles, etc. For deplaning, they can take the extra time they need to gather themselves up while the rest of the pax are getting off, again, without blocking aisles. My sister has two little ones, and ALWAYS books the furthest rows back for this very reason. It's common sense and consideration, not discrimination

Anne

 

[sgtdisney]

I see your point, but I prefer to ride foward in the cabin.. The smoothest ride (and quietest for that matter) tend to towards the front of the aircraft. I would much rather be sitting forward of the wing if possible, especially on a MD-80, DC-9 or 727.. However, when I do travel with my kids I always use the preboarding time, if the airlines do this (and they should). The other thing I *always* do is make my family stay in their seats until the plane has emptied. I agree it is pretty inconsiderate of people to sit there in aisle 12 with 20 aisle behind them, wrestling with diaper bags, car seats and kids. We always tend to be the last off the plane when our kids are with. I can understand your point though.. It is too bad everyone isn't always considerate of others.....

 

[peg2001]

I fail to see how waiting a minute or two to allow a family traveling with children to pick up their things is any more of a hassle than waiting for the travel warrior to gather his carry-ons because he refuses to check anything. A family's time is no less important than Mr./Ms. Executive.

I've actually noticed more patience and orderly de-boarding of planes in the last several months than I did before Sept 11th. People now seem to realize that there are worse things than waiting a couple minutes to allow those in the rows before them to step into the aisle.

Peg

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by peg2001
I fail to see how waiting a minute or two to allow a family traveling with children to pick up their things is any more of a hassle than waiting for the travel warrior to gather his carry-ons because he refuses to check anything. A family's time is no less important than Mr./Ms. Executive.

This is true too. I actually think anyone who has to wrestle with a bunch of bags, or has to move back and forth in the aisle to collect all their belongings should wait to stand up. Actually, I learned this from years of travelling with my Dad, who was an airline pilot. The minute the plane's door opens people jump up like a bolt and then end up standing for anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes or more, while they ready the aircraft to be deplaned. I mean, unless you are rushing to make a connection, which I know DOES happen, why do you need to be the first one off the plane? Especially if you have checked your luggage. I can't tell you the number of times that I have seen people rush off the plane while we wait to be last off and when we finally get to the baggage claim area we end up seeing the same people standing there waiting for their luggage with us..

 

[Disneylvr]

I am pooh-sized and if necessary (and the fare isn't too high) we I purchased two seats. Most recently I did this on AA in December 2001. The agents and flight attendants were very kind and did nothing to embarrass me or my DH. We only purchase 3 seats (For DH and I) if the seating configuration of the plane would cause us to make another passenger uncomfortable, for example in a 3 seat row or 5 seat row etc... We are perfectly fine on MD-80's, 767's and other planes that have just 2 seats together. We raise the armrest between us and we are perfectly comfortable and not squishing anyone. I am okay with airlines requiring large passengers to purchase an extra seat but only if they will be making another passenger uncomfortable.

As for my weight.... I was raised to eat healthy and to keep active but I did start packing on the pounds during my pre-adolescent years with no explanation and have continued to do so ever since. I was taken to doctors by my parents always to be told the same thing, exercise and eat less. However that obviously wasn't enough because I continued to gain weight into my adulthood. I am not saying that I never indulged in fast foods or high fat snacks but not regularly.

Recently I was diagnosed with a condition (I will not get into medical specifics) and found out that a low-fat diet isn't enough for me. I also have to cut out all sugar (even fruit, except in small amounts) and drastically lower the amount of carbs. I also continue to eat low fat as well. My diet combined with 3 miles of walking every morning before work and yoga in the evenings has resulted in steady weight loss for me (25 pounds so far). I haven't felt this good in years but I still have a long way to go. Thankfully my new physician saw beyond that "your fat because you are lazy and eat too much" attitude so many people take on. You don't know the reason for an individual's obesity so please don't generalize it as just eating too much and being lazy. There are many reasons, medical and psychological, that lead to obesity. I promise you cruel and disrespectful comments aren't going to help solve the problem and in fact may only contribute to it more. Kind words of encouragement and understanding go a long way.

 

[annie2871]

Here's how I look at it, if I walk past a smoker and breath in the smoke that person is blowing off and it makes me uncomfortable, why shouldn't that person who is smoking be made to do something about releasing the smoke from his cigarette back into the air that I breath? I am so much more offended by cigarette smoke than I am by sitting next to someone who takes up more than their share of the room.

The point is that we have to learn to deal with different situations, be grown ups for crying out loud. You all act like that pooh sized people are horrible people for making you uncomfortable on an airplane. Do you not think they are uncomfortalbe too? Airlines, restaurants, and other public areas need to learn how to make seats accomdating for all body types, not just the size 10's of the world.

It's funny how a smoker can go into a restaurant and lite up and make everyone else in the restaurant uncomfortable, but a pooh sized person can't get on an airline without having to pay double for their seat.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am willing to switch seats so a large person can have two seats together, but if there is no completely empty seat anywhere in the plane for me, I expect the F/A to deplane a standby, or ask for volunteers and pay compensation. (Usually I will volunteer myself).

After a larger person purchases two seats he is now entitled to raise one armrest somewhere in the plane. The other passengers and F/A's can make the decision as to which armrest it is, if the larger person had not already claimed two seats and there is no assigned seating. Two large persons should be able to purchase three seats between them and then get to raise two armrests in the plane.

IMHO a larger person should be able to purchase a second seat at the gate for the lowest discounted fare showing up for flights of the same routing on any future date, or the price s/he paid for the first seat, whichever is less.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Annie,
There is a huge difference between smoking in a place where you can move to avoid it and being squished in a seat where you cannot move.
I guess it boils down to common courtesy. It is discourteous to make anyone uncomfortable at any time and in any way.