Southwest Customers of Size

[Pinnie]

There is a line between being kind to someone with a meidcal condition which means they need more time to get settled or ambulate, and someone who can't fit into a plane seat and wants to encroach on everyone else.

Big diference between that inconsiderate person and the person who needs more time getting down the aisle--although IMHO if you need to preboard because you need extra time to get settled, then you should also have the consideration to wait until everyone eles is off the plane before getting off. If you need mroe time getting on, it's going to be the same way getting off.

Like I said, I paid for my seat, and until someone starts handing me cash to use part of it, they need to stay out of it. It's something I have no tolerance for, because they CAN do something about it by buying two seats, they would just rather inconvenience others and not do so. It's the large people who need to have respect--they need to respect that people pay for their seat and expect to use it, not part of it because someone else is hanging over into it. The lack of respect is coming from the person of size. End of story.

Anne

AMEN!

I have always said your rights end at MY seat and that is the way it IS.

ITA with the idea that if you need more time to PREboard, then you need more time to DEplane, so wait until everyone else is OFF! I get so tired of tight connections and parents blocking the aisle trying to unhook car seats and picking up stuff around the seat. Pick up BEFORE the plane lands, for crying out loud!!!

pinnie

 

[Lewisc]

SW seats aren't tiny. About the same as a typical office chair or movie theater seat. Overweight passengers don't have a problem. Obese passengers don't have a problem.

The few passengers that are so morbidly obese that they don't fit in one seat can solve the problem, and fly comforatably, if the follow the rules and purchase the second seat. Generally the money gets refunded.

I think you have a much bigger complaint with SW than the OP. SW won't accomodate passengers that need oxygen in flight even they you pay extra.

I appreciate the fact that most people are overweight and that it does impinge on others but give people a break and show some kindness. I also see this when I travel with my dad who needs onboard oxygen and needs walking assistance. People look at him and are very rude and nasty and do not want to sit anyplace near the oxygen since it might touch or go into their space. They also breathe heavy when he is getting adjusted.

Give me a break and have some respect and kindness for others.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Big diference between that inconsiderate person and the person who needs more time getting down the aisle--although IMHO if you need to preboard because you need extra time to get settled, then you should also have the consideration to wait until everyone eles is off the plane before getting off. If you need mroe time getting on, it's going to be the same way getting off.

Huh? I thought you (I) had to wait to deboard the plane? Just like with the Disney buses if you're in a wheelchair - first on, last off. I generally get wheeled to the plane, so I (and I noticed on my last flight, another passenger in need of assistance) were the LAST two off the plane. Common sense

 

[Lewisc]

Huh? I thought you (I) had to wait to deboard the plane? Just like with the Disney buses if you're in a wheelchair - first on, last off. I generally get wheeled to the plane, so I (and I noticed on my last flight, another passenger in need of assistance) were the LAST two off the plane. Common sense

SW has a miraculous healing effect on some passengers. Passengers walk slowly and limp as they pre-board the aircraft but are able to jump up and elbow people out of their way so they can be among the first to deplane.

 

[ducklite]

Huh? I thought you (I) had to wait to deboard the plane? Just like with the Disney buses if you're in a wheelchair - first on, last off. I generally get wheeled to the plane, so I (and I noticed on my last flight, another passenger in need of assistance) were the LAST two off the plane. Common sense

Yes, wheelchair passengers have to wait to get off, but those with canes, crutches, and car seats who preboard tend to try to exit asap, thus causing everyone behind them to have to wait.

Anne

 

[JodyTG]

When my daughter was 8, she was sitting in the middle seat and I was by the window. She had both arms down on her seat and was comfortable. A few minutes later a "woman of size" plopped (not sat) down in the seat next to her and commenced to raise the arm between the two of them. I reached over and put it back down. This woman had the gaul to say to me, "How DARE you do that! I need the arm up to be comfortable!" I then told her, "so what, my daughter needs the arm DOWN to be comfortable."

The woman complained to a flight attendant that my tiny little girl wasn't letting her have full use of HER seat and insisted that the flight attendant make my daughter put the arm back up. The flight attendant said that the arm should remain down but that since the flight wasn't quite full she would move her to the back of the plane. Well, she didn't "like" the back of the plane, so she stayed put. My daughter and I had to deal with listening to her groan, and moan, and complain the whole 2+ hour flight to MCO.

Oh, and she twice more tried to raise the arm, which I immediately put a stop to. Neither I, nor ANYONE, should have to put up with this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, now that's - nervy doesn't cover it. The flight attendant had a solution that would have made everyone comfortable EXCEPT the CoS didn't "like" the back of the plane? Why? Because it arrives last? Sheesh!

She HAD full use of HER seat. She wasn't entitled to the use of any portion of your daughter's seat! I like Ducklite's response (although it wouldn't work in all cases, obviously) - if the Customer of Size PAYS her for the use of a portion of her seat, fine.

 

[coolmom99]

For those of you that have a overweight problem and are worried about needing another seat, well here is the answer. I was a person of size over a yr ago. Fokes,this is the best thing ever done to me . IT saved my life. I was 327lbs aug 3 of 2004 , waste size of 50 . I am now 180 and 36 inch waste. My shirts went from 4x almost 5x to large..
I can now sit on a plane with extra room .

Or you could diet and exercise. Much safer and healthier.

This is just one of the many reasons to fly anyone but SW. The whole A,B,C boarding is a joke. Since we have no kids we always seem to get to board last no matter what.

Having kids has nothing to do with it. The only ones allowed to preboard are those with kids under the age of 4. If you print your boarding passes off at home (up to 24 hours in advance) you will get an A pass and be one of the first to board.

 

[KAMLEM]

My feeling is to all of those people who are perfect is that some day you don't know what position you will be in and what the future holds. Health issues also add weight, as does medicine and other types of treatments.

So if you judge, please stay healthy and hope you fit into the perfect prototype, and all of your family members are o.k.

Our society has become so rude and nasty to each other and this is one example. I never jam anything into anyone's guts.

You have obviously never been forced to sit next to someone who can't fit in their seat for 3 hours. My 9 year old DD and I flew on Jet Blue recently. She sat next to the window and I sat in the middle. In the aisle seat was a very large guy. The armrest between his seat and mine would not even go down all the way. I was forced to lift the armrest up between my seat and my daughter's and sit partially in her seat. Jet Blue has TV's in each seat and I couldn't see my screen well because there was a glare due to the fact that I was looking at it from an angle. As a result, I couldn't watch the TV. DD was not comfortable because I was in her seat. It was a horrible flight.

I am not judging him because he is overweight and I don't think that most others on this thread are judging people, either. We are just saying that we should not have to suffer because of someone else's problem.

 

[pirateparrot]

Are there any ways to find out online if a SW flieght is full yet or not?
Also when you have an A boarding pass from online how early do you need to get to the airport? Do they call all the a boarding pass's and then you get the best seat form there? And where is the best seat on a flieght for the most room?

I have gone in and tried to reserve 9 seats just to see if they were available. I think this is the largest number you can check for.

 

[pirateparrot]

I'm a really big guy, 6'2" and 400# and I love flying SWA. It's always my first choice. I buy my tickets early and get great low rates. I always purchase 2 seats which allows me to pre-board and so far I have recieved a refund for the extra seat on each of my last ten flights.

I know the days will come when I will pay for the extra space, but average it out and it will still be a bargain.

I'm comfortable and I don't have to worry about making someone else uncomfortable. With other airlines I have no chance of getting any of my 2 seats refunded. I think SWA's policy is very fair and it's taken away my anxiety over whether or not I'll find a row with an empty seat.

Ditto.

 

[DrTomorrow]

For those of you that have a overweight problem and are worried about needing another seat, well here is the answer. I was a person of size over a yr ago. Fokes,this is the best thing ever done to me . IT saved my life. I was 327lbs aug 3 of 2004 , waste size of 50 . I am now 180 and 36 inch waste. My shirts went from 4x almost 5x to large..
I can now sit on a plane with extra room .

Hmmmm. Here are some of the risks of lap band surgery:

Chronic vomiting, gallstones, Postoperative hernias, bowel obstruction, infection and blood clots.

Doesn't sound like the right solution....

 

[DrTomorrow]

Princess Patti, I eagerly await your comments on this particular situation.

When my daughter was 8, she was sitting in the middle seat and I was by the window. She had both arms down on her seat and was comfortable. A few minutes later a "woman of size" plopped (not sat) down in the seat next to her and commenced to raise the arm between the two of them. I reached over and put it back down. This woman had the gaul to say to me, "How DARE you do that! I need the arm up to be comfortable!" I then told her, "so what, my daughter needs the arm DOWN to be comfortable."

The woman complained to a flight attendant that my tiny little girl wasn't letting her have full use of HER seat and insisted that the flight attendant make my daughter put the arm back up. The flight attendant said that the arm should remain down but that since the flight wasn't quite full she would move her to the back of the plane. Well, she didn't "like" the back of the plane, so she stayed put. My daughter and I had to deal with listening to her groan, and moan, and complain the whole 2+ hour flight to MCO.

Oh, and she twice more tried to raise the arm, which I immediately put a stop to. Neither I, nor ANYONE, should have to put up with this.

 

[ducklite]

Princess Patti, I eagerly await your comments on this particular situation.

She already made her point clear when I posted about a similar situation. She wrote "I appreciate the fact that most people are overweight and that it does impinge on others but give people a break and show some kindness. "

In otherwirds her feelings are that large people have the God given right to encroach on anyone's seat because it's there, and that we should all just go ahead and let them do it, and we are disrespectful and full of air rage if we don't.

Anne

 

[atigeg]

This is inkkognito on her husband's PC:

SW has a miraculous healing effect on some passengers. Passengers walk slowly and limp as they pre-board the aircraft but are able to jump up and elbow people out of their way so they can be among the first to deplane.

My husband and I fly SW a lot and have seen the SW curative powers that rival the Shrine of Lourdes. The best one was the teen who pitifully dragged herself onboard on crutches, along with her extended family. On board, she got up to use the restroom without the crutches and moved like an Olympic sprinter...that is, until Dad gave a whistle and pointed. Suddenly, the limp returned, worse than ever, as she dragged herself back for the crutches. She could have had a hidden condition, but if so, she sure it hid well the moment she was on board, and it was amazing how Dad's reminder brought on a sudden relapse.

As for Anne's comment, I don't think it's cruel. Why is it HER problem that the armrest pokes someone else? She paid for her seat; she didn't design the airplane or mandate the measurements, and she is under no obligation to leave the armrest up. Quite frankly, why is she responsible for the comfort of the person sitting next to her? Too many people are always on the lookout for someone else to blame. If you don't fit into a seat, I feel bad for you that you're incomfortable, but sorry, it's not my problem just because the fates decreed that you're sitting next to me. Take it up with the airline.

Barb

 

[Princess Patti]

"She already made her point clear when I posted about a similar situation"

"SHE" did not make any comment about that condoning overweight. I did nto say that. Yes I too have been stuck between people who are big and yes I have had to make adjustments and sometimes move. I did not in any way state that "large people have the God given right to encroach on anyone's seat because it's there". I have put up with the same things that all of us have to, i.e. sickness, kids moving and being obnoxious and people of all sizes and shapes.

My point was that we are all human and have some respect and kindness to people and not state that you are going to jab someone int he guts with your armrest. That is just wrong.

 

[JDietz40]

I definately used to be a customer of size and may or may not still be as I have gone from 6'1" and 350 pounds to 260 pounds in a little over a year with some will power and alot of hard work. I had no intention of booking a 2nd seat for our upcoming flight but after reading this and a few other threads I decided that I would rather have it dealt with now and not have to worry at the airport. I was told by the SW agent that my DW & DS would also be able to preboard. I am not counting on this and still plan to print bording passes for them but it would be a great perk. I came to the conclusion that even if the extra seat is not "required" it would just be more comfortable my family and at the great $54.00 each way fare from MDW to TPA it is still cheaper than any of the other flights that we could find.

John

 

[JDietz40]

When my daughter was 8, she was sitting in the middle seat and I was by the window. She had both arms down on her seat and was comfortable. A few minutes later a "woman of size" plopped (not sat) down in the seat next to her and commenced to raise the arm between the two of them. I reached over and put it back down. This woman had the gaul to say to me, "How DARE you do that! I need the arm up to be comfortable!" I then told her, "so what, my daughter needs the arm DOWN to be comfortable."

The woman complained to a flight attendant that my tiny little girl wasn't letting her have full use of HER seat and insisted that the flight attendant make my daughter put the arm back up. The flight attendant said that the arm should remain down but that since the flight wasn't quite full she would move her to the back of the plane. Well, she didn't "like" the back of the plane, so she stayed put. My daughter and I had to deal with listening to her groan, and moan, and complain the whole 2+ hour flight to MCO.

Oh, and she twice more tried to raise the arm, which I immediately put a stop to. Neither I, nor ANYONE, should have to put up with this.

I am a pretty easy going guy but I may have ended up in jail if that woman acted like that with my child! I come from a "large" family and I have always been big even when playing sports in high school and college I carried alot of weight. The one thing that always has driven me nuts is when a large person gets upset at someone who singles them out. My dad used to be terrible about this. Even if a little kid would stare or say something he would get angry and have a response. Yes, I know that it is rude to stare at someone different or make comments but when ever anyone said anything to me I would laugh and say someday I will find the right diet or one time to small children were in line with their mom and the boy blurted out mommie look at the fat man. The mother looked mortified. I responded with this is what happens if you don't listen to your parents and eat your vegetables. We had a good laugh and a potential confrontation was diffused. I think perhaps more often things need to be handled this way.

Don't take life so seriously it's not permanent,



John

 

[Honeybehr1]

We just got back and I can say after reading the threads regarding SW and their size policy, I was freakin out that since the flight was sold out, we would have to get off the flight. BUT, I had no issues or problems at all. I did ask for an extension since I wanted to be comfortable. I could put down both of my arm rests. Someone did sit next to me but since we preboarded, he had other options if he chose to. It wasnt like it was the only seat available.
I did find SW seats have alot of leg room. Very surprised.
I had a pleasant experience on SW.

 

[Princess Patti]

Did you happen to Board with group A?