southwest airlines customers of size

[HappyLawyer]

hi, i know your concern, i read the same thing happened right here on this board, now i fly ata each time i go, and i needed a belt extender but never had a problem, i went to CA in Sept and flew united and had no problem at all. I think we read these and we worry allot.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I just flew (Delta) last weekend, for the first time in several years. This was also the first flight I made alone--no children or other family!

On the first flight I was on the aisle with a man in window that NEEDED 2 seats. He was taking up at least 1/4 of my seat (arm rest was up) when I sat down. I am also at the lower end of Plus size so I NEEDED EVERY square inch of my seat! I fit fine in the seat, but no room to spare. It was horrible. We were touching/overlapping in every way.

I did not want to embarrass this man, and he NEVER said a word to me--not even a "Hi" when I sat down. As they prepared to close the doors several seats were empty so I asked the passing FA if there were extra seats (while making desperate faces at her!), but several passengers were still boarding so she didn't know. Once everyone was seated they RUSHED to close the doors and get the flight off so we were told to get seated and stay there so I didn't want to get up to talk to the FA quietly and get yelled at. I really DIDN'T want to embarrass this man, but there was just no way we could sit together!

After we were in the air and the seat belt light went off I just mumbled "I think I will see if I can get that window seat" and grabbed my bag and move across the aisle where there were 3 seats with only the aisle taken. MUCH BETTER!

I guess my question is for those of you that require 2 seats, would you be embarrassed to have your "seatmate" quietly ask to be reseated or to just get up and move? I was really worried about hurting his feelings, but I am also sure that he had to be much more comfortable when I left. If he had just said to me "there are some empty seats over there and we might be more comfortable if you wanted to move" or something then I would have felt better. Maybe he didn't want to hurt my feelings since I am also Pooh sized?

I know I shouldn't worry about the feelings of a total stranger, but I am a caring person so I didn't know how to deal with this. There was no really quiet way to grab by big backpack from under the seat and move. It was obvious I was leaving to all those around us.

DH says I worry to much!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

II did not want to embarrass this man, and he NEVER said a word to me--not even a "Hi" when I sat down. As they prepared to close the doors several seats were empty so I asked the passing FA if there were extra seats (while making desperate faces at her!), but several passengers were still boarding so she didn't know. Once everyone was seated they RUSHED to close the doors and get the flight off so we were told to get seated and stay there so I didn't want to get up to talk to the FA quietly and get yelled at. I really DIDN'T want to embarrass this man, but there was just no way we could sit together!!!!

Don't even try to sit down. Immediately find a F/A and ask for a different seat for yourself, by now the person in your seat is far enough away not to hear. You may have the complaint resolution officer summoned even if the flight is running late, and then the plane must sit. In this instance the F/A is very likely to satisfy your request in other ways (such as asking for volunteers) in order to save time. BTW if the FA yells at you, that's not a reason to summon the CRO but is an additional topic you can add to your conversaion with the CRO summoned for the other reason.

YOu may take a different seat if the F/A tells you to. But you may still have the CRO summoned if a different F/A says differently even though it is now much later.

 

[disney_me]

Went to Disney with my parents last Feb. My mother is a bit large and had trouble with her seat belt. You can ask for a seat belt extention. That worked for her. Plus she really liked her trip to Disney

 

[GatorGal]

Check your TV Listings for a show called Airline on A&E Channel. They profile Southwest Airlines. After seeing this show, I would NEVER fly that airline, even if you gave me a ticket to anywhere they fly. While most of the shows depict them dealing with drunken passengers, I have seen a few episodes with them dealing with "Customers of Size". It appears that it is handled discreetly, but I did see a woman cry once because they wanted her to pay for another seat and she couldn't afford to. I did see them "test" a passenger's fit in the seat by having him preboard and check to see if the arm rest could go down all the way, which it could, so he was all set.

I do commend them for having such a policy, but I don't agree with the theory that if the arm rest can go don all the way, then the person fits in the seat. I also don't envy the ticket and gate agents that have to enforce this rule. It's a touchy subject to say the least.

 

[kellya22]

I am a pooh sized woman and I will be flying Delta in December. I probably could use 2 seats, but I purchased only 1 because my thin DD(10) will be next to me. I believe we can both sit comfortably (me using some of her space and still plenty left for her.) Am I in for a real problem here? Please help!
Kellyb

 

[shaylahc]

I guess I can see both sides of the fence. I am a plus sized person but since I always travel with my family I never inconvinience anyone. I have no idea if I pass the armrest test since I prefer to fly with it up

That being said, I think airline seats are ridiculously small. I don't know ANYONE who can sit in one and feel "comfortable". People's arms and legs are going to touch...it's just a fact of life. And sometimes people might be "big" on top (such as the PP who mentioned he has very broad shoulders) without being overweight and still inconvinience the person next to them.

I think a better solution would be for airlines to have a separate section of roomier seats for those who need the extra space. After all, most places like movie theaters and restaurants have separate sections for people in wheelchairs or who need extra space. I don't see a person who is morbidly obese and in need of extra space to be any different. I guess the difference is implied in that most people in society think obesity is a choice. An airline would never get away with charging someone in a wheelchair a higher ticket price or require them to purchase an extra seat for their wheelchair. I think obesity should be treated the same way. People can be obese for many different reasons, many of which are medical. The airline industry can get away with it because fat discrimination is socially acceptable.