Southwest and Pooh Size travellers

[maxiesmom]

Yep, I get it--I just don't agree with it. As a former prosecutor who dealt with pedophiles, I am a little more "cautious" than some. I realize that on an airplane, the likelihood of someone being "caught" doing something is high, but I also know that pedophiles have very low impulse control and proximity to a small child could push them over the edge--especially if that child is non-verbal and the person in the next seat is asleep. By that time of course the damage is done, so whether or not they are caught wouldn't mean much to me as a parent. So yes, I disagree with the way a lot of the airlines think on this topic. Absolutely.

I have to ask, do you have the same worries on a Disney bus? In any of the theater shows? Or do you make sure you child is in-between 2 trusted adults at all times? At some point you child is going to sit next to someone who they don't know.

I think is is sad that you see any adult you don't know as a possible pedophile to such an extent that they can't sit next to someone they don't know.

 

[NotUrsula]

Either it is open seating or its not, if they can guarantee 2 for a customer of size, then why can't they guarantee 2 for a parent and a child no matter the age.

Maybe this is a tongue-in-cheek question, but I'm guessing because all that blood from being sawn in half would be unsanitary and kind of off-putting for a lot of passengers? Also, think of the on-time percentage! Neatly bisecting a human takes time; there is just no way to consistently do it properly and still manage to hold your turn time to 20 minutes.

If the customer of size gets to board early than why not parent and their children. I will wait for those of you that will say then don't use southwest and pay to have assigned seating or pay for early check in. (which I have already)

Again, because that sawing thing gets a bit messy (and because families with young children DO get to board early, between the A and B groups, which on 95% of flights is enough to guarantee contiguous seating)

Seriously, NO US-based carrier guarantees contiguous seating for children over 5 years old (starting at age 5, children may fly as unaccompanied minors on US carriers). There is no law that says that they have to, thus they do not. If you want a contiguous seating rule for minors, then you should be complaining to your Congressional representative.

 

[Vijoge]

Question for those that purchase the second seat. How do you stop people from sitting next to you? Most all SW flights I have been on are full. Is there a reserved sign they give you?

Yes, they do give you a reserved sign to put on the second seat.

 

[Vijoge]

Maybe this is a tongue-in-cheek question, but I'm guessing because all that blood from being sawn in half would be unsanitary and kind of off-putting for a lot of passengers? Also, think of the on-time percentage! Neatly bisecting a human takes time; there is just no way to consistently do it properly and still manage to hold your turn time to 20 minutes.

 

[Hannathy]

"



---but please don't act like it's no big deal for a small child to be seated away from it's parent on a plane.

uhhh it's no big deal for a child to be seated away from their parent.

You are all on the same plane. So sorry I disagree totally and have never got the big deal some people make about it.

In my experience the only people upset it is the parent, the child is fine.

 

[disgrajak]

I have to ask, do you have the same worries on a Disney bus? In any of the theater shows? Or do you make sure you child is in-between 2 trusted adults at all times? At some point you child is going to sit next to someone who they don't know.

I think is is sad that you see any adult you don't know as a possible pedophile to such an extent that they can't sit next to someone they don't know.

BTW--last post on this topic. Yippppeeee!

Obviously there is difference between sitting next to a stranger on a Disney bus with the parent right there and a small child being next to a stranger on an airplane with the parent several rows away for hours. I mean really.

And yes, my outlook is sad, as the liklihood of this happening is extremely small---but I have seen and been made aware of very disturbing things. Most people never have to deal with with these issues. Be thankful. Unfortunately, some do and I have been in the position of hearing all the details. It does make a person "sad".

 

[lugnut33]

If you're a guy and can easily fit in any airline seat, then you're small. I'm not talking so much the waist as the shoulders. I guess maybe Michael Jackson didn't have a problem fitting.

 

[seashoreCM]

... it was the last flight out or i'd have gotten off the plane ...

Not you! Unless you personally want a $300. voucher or a free round trip somewhere.

uhhh it's no big deal for a child to be seated away from their parent.

unless (read on)

im a softie & didn't want to make the guy feel bad. my reward was he (in the next seat) just took advantage as the flight progressed...never again would i keep my yap shut

OT:

I love that you refer to the child as an it by the way."

What is a suitable shorter form for "he or she"?

More OT: What is a suitable shorter form for "numbers" (plural)? Nos? Nbrs? #s?

 

[gokenin]

What is a suitable shorter form for "he or she"?

More OT: What is a suitable shorter form for "numbers" (plural)? Nos? Nbrs? #s?

the shortest combination would be s/he

 

[DMRick]

On our last SW flight from Alb to LA, a family came late (they had to make the connection and it was late). SW asked for someone to exchange a seat (and offered to give them free drinks during the flight). No one moved. Then the guy said, hey, just so you know, we aren't leaving until this child is sitting with her parent. Now, does anyone want to change seats? Nope, well, I hope you all make your connections, because we are not leaving until this child is sitting with her parent. Finally, someone else said they would take a center seat, and another person said they would move into his seat, and child and parent were together.

On the way home from Las Vegas to Alb, the last two rows were being held and blocked by a FA, and a family came in and they waved them down the aisle to the saved seats. They aparently knew in advance they were on their way.

So, they do try the best they can, to keep child and parent together.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I fly SWA only, because of their customer of size policies. I *can* fit into a seat, but I am very very tight. Most people would probably perfer not to sit next to me and I cannot blame them....I wouldn't want to sit next to someone my size either in such close proximity. I always buy an extra seat for me whenever I book my flights. When I travel, then I get to pre-board so that I am assured that the two seats I book that MUST be next to each other, I get. Not all planes are empty when you board, the plane may already have passengers on it from a previous connecting flight, so letting those customer of size on first is a necessity.

I have never had an issue with not getting a refund. I have always been treated with the most politness and fairness. I have even had ticket agents, when checking in, question why I needed two seats, as I didn't look large enough to need them. Please understand that for many people, this can be an embarassing situation, but I am glad that SWA does have a method in place to make the situation as painless as can be.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

AA does not at all guarantee that they can "take care of you". I would never fly anywhere hoping for a gate agent to handle my problem. The last time I flew AA I bought an extra seat and it was all I could do to get them to assign my seats together. While your experiences might have been good, there is nothing assuring me of the same.

Also, it is not the airline's duty to accommodate me. I am fat, not disabled. If I want to go around preaching "my fat, my business" then I had better be prepared to put my money where my mouth is.

I believe it is wrong to take up more than one seat and expect the airline to assume the cost. We all know how big airline seats are. If you want to fly and you take up more than one seat, then you buy more than one seat. No one is entitled to more than what they purchased.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Southwest's policy. It's sensible, it's generous, and it's administered well. It's actually very good business and is one of the reasons I'm a fairly loyal customer.

I also agree with this.

Even on sold out flights, if you need to be in two seats, I don't see why a company would not charge for two seats on a sold out flight. If they don't they are losing money.

I'm pooh sized and I understand this policy. Airlines are private businesses and if you don't like their policies you can go elsewhere. I think that SW is incredibly generous to offer a refund.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay seriously??? You think that having a 4 year old sit next to it's mother isn't as important as an overweight person having an extra seat?

Read my answer again.
This isn't a matter of what's more or less important.

It's PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for a Customer of Size to occupy seat 12A and seat 19E. Physically impossible - unless you've figured out a way to cut that person into sections. Do you understand now? Southwest won't maim any of its customers. Its Customer of Size policy is for the comfort, not the discomfort, of all passenger.

 

[keishashadow]

I fly SWA only, because of their customer of size policies. I *can* fit into a seat, but I am very very tight. Most people would probably perfer not to sit next to me and I cannot blame them....I wouldn't want to sit next to someone my size either in such close proximity. I always buy an extra seat for me whenever I book my flights. When I travel, then I get to pre-board so that I am assured that the two seats I book that MUST be next to each other, I get. Not all planes are empty when you board, the plane may already have passengers on it from a previous connecting flight, so letting those customer of size on first is a necessity.

I have never had an issue with not getting a refund. I have always been treated with the most politness and fairness. I have even had ticket agents, when checking in, question why I needed two seats, as I didn't look large enough to need them. Please understand that for many people, this can be an embarassing situation, but I am glad that SWA does have a method in place to make the situation as painless as can be.

you are a class act.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I just wanted to say a big "thank you" to you customers of size who do purchase two seats. I'm a smaller woman who has had a customer of size sit next to me on two separate flights (with another person on the other side). Their armrest would go down, but they still "spilled" into my seat, taking up part of it. This makes for a very uncomfortable flight. Both of these flights were full, so I didn't say anything to the FA's until the end, which I realize is my fault, but on a full flight either me or that person would be taken off, so IMO there is no real solution

 

[Lewisc]

Also, think of the on-time percentage! Neatly bisecting a human takes time; there is just no way to consistently do it properly and still manage to hold your turn time to 20 minutes.

Hire Dexter as a consultant. With the right "tools" 20 minutes should be very doable.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

you are a class act.

Why, thank you.

DH and I actually don't mind flying as much as we used to. Does it cost a little extra? Yes, but I gladly would pay the cost of one extra seat to be comfortable and make sure others around me at not encumbered.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I just wanted to say a big "thank you" to you customers of size who do purchase two seats.

This can work against you tho'. On one flight I took, it was overbooked....one person needed to get on and a mother and child needed to sit together. They kept on asking for anyone to raise their hand if they had an empty seat next to them. Some passengers said something to the FA's, who, very graciously, explained the situation nicely, although I did get some "dirty" looks. However, I doubt that any of those people would have preferred giving up their seat to sit crammed next to me .

Luckily, child and mom got to sit next to each other and someone gave up their seat for the overbooked passenger, so it all worked out.

 

[seashoreCM]

This can work against you the larger person tho'. On one flight I took, it was overbooked....one person needed to get on and a mother and child needed to sit together. They kept on asking for anyone to raise their hand if they had an empty seat next to them. out.

You may and should relax across both seats during the aforementioned tail end of the boarding process. Imagine a car intentionally parked in two spaces as opposed to slightly overhanging the next space.

Ergo that seat is not empty and neither you nor the person at the other end of the row may raise his hand.

The airline should not try to put someone else there. That could cause the person at the other end of the row to bring a grievance and want the complaint resolution officer.

After you bought a second seat, if the airline wants to revoke it then it has to refund it. If the airline makes you uncomfortable it must compensate you over and above that. The compensation is not limited to bump compensation if you decided to get off rather than be uncomfortable and the airline did not follow its bump procedures including asking for volunteers.

Then the guy said, hey, just so you know, we aren't leaving until this child is sitting with her parent. Now, does anyone want to change seats? Nope, well, I hope you all make your connections ...

Would a flight attendant be lauded (and not reprimanded) like the pilot who held the plane for a passenger who lost his child?

Would he accept a counteroffer for something other than a free drink? Maybe something sublime or esoteric or ridiculous yet still grantable, like a free meal or an armrest or a voucher?

 

[Sinderelly]

There is no way you can compare normal sized people sitting in their seats 3 across being 'crammed'. You can't compare a person reclining their seat all the way back as causing discomfort to another passenger.

Thing in all these cases are the people fit comfortably in their own seats without encroaching on anyone's space. They airlines do cram as many seats together as possible and the space is getting smaller and smaller while Americans are getting larger and larger. They do take into consideration the amount of space each person gets, taking into consideration the reclining of a seat, a person next to you sitting in their own seat without 'hanging' over. The amount of leg room an average height person would take, etc.

Here is a list of the policies:

Here's a look at how a few different airlines deal with the "customer of size:"

* Southwest: Passengers should plan on purchasing an extra seat or risk being asked to do so at the airport by staff. If the flight is not sold out, the passenger may claim a refund.
* American: Passengers over 250 pounds should recognize that there may be limitations to the service that the airline can provide. However, it does not require that you purchase an extra seat automatically.
* United: No policy whatsoever.
* Midwest: Like Southwest, passengers are encouraged to know their needs in advance. If staff determine that two seats are required, the seat will be sold at the lowest possible fare, with a refund available if there is one or more open seats on the flight.
* Air France: Passengers with "high body mass" may receive a 25 percent discount on an extra seat, knowing that if they choose to not buy the seat, they may risk not being able to fly.
* JetBlue: You are required to buy a second seat, and there are no refunds.
* Delta: The airline "works to accommodate" passengers with special needs. Upon request and availability, it will try to make sure the next seat is unoccupied. However, if the plane is full, you will most likely be asked to leave the flight and buy a second seat on the next available flight. (You can actually count on this being a fairly typical practice on most airlines.)

If I purchased a seat and had someone taking my space I would certainly say something discretely to the flight attendant before taking off. We all pay for our seats and it is not fair to have what little space we do get taken by someone who also has only purchased one seat and is encroaching on my space. Yes, there is a polite, discrete way to handle the situation.

There should be an airline standard so people aren't treated differently on each airline. Those who require two seats shouldn't say they are discriminated because of size when asked to buy two seats. How would you feel if you were plus sized and fit in your seat and the seat next to you was taken by a high end pooh sized person who hung over and took up your space. You would certainly feel different.

It is not about the money at all, it is about the comfort of other passengers. It is not fair to anyone to have what little space there is taken by another person. You can't compare someone reclining a seat to someone hanging over into your seat. The airlines have the seats recline for the comfort of the passengers. Yes, it takes up legroom of the passenger behind but that is taken into consideration when seats are designed. We usually don't recline seats or do so only part way. The only time I will recline my seat all the way is when there are kids kicking my seat or when the person behind me pulls or hits my seat all the time.

My parents are 'pooh size' and I often wonder how comfortable they can sit in their seats on a flight. I know that neither is large enough to hang over into another persons seat.

Guess this is a hot issue. Once again OP this is not meant to stir up issues. Just pointing out facts. We can agree to disagree on this subject. I am just saying that SW did nothing wrong, it is not about money and the policy is there for a reason. That reason is for passenger comfort. Granted we can't be comfortable for long in the limited space we get, but we each pay for our small space and are entitled to our entire space just as you are entitled to your space that you paid for. If we have 'extra room' in our space it is not fair for the person next to us to take our 'extra room' just because they overflow their space.

I think you CAN compare the discomfort of someone in front of you reclining their seat all the way back. I was very uncomfortable on a SW flight due to this. I am not Pooh sized ( 5'10, long legs, lg chest) but felt as though I had no leg room. I was unable to use my tray table due to this. I feel this is ALOT more uncomfortable that someone next to me hanging over slightly due to their size. At least they are soft I wish they would disable the reclining feature in all seats.