To fat to fly??

[JessicaR]

So where does this end, they charge you double at Disney if you can't fit in one seat on a ride?

No actually, if you can't fit you can't ride. There are many instances of this at theme parks. Thats why you will see test seats when it will likely be an issue.

 

[happygirl]

No actually, if you can't fit you can't ride. There are many instances of this at theme parks. Thats why you will see test seats when it will likely be an issue.

They do have seats at the front. That is so embrassing LOL.

I really wish they could make plus size seats on planes, I think that would end a lot of embrassment for people

 

[crashbb]

If the flight isn't oversold, Southwest says they refund the extra charge.

I think this is very generous of SWA. Why would anyone take exception to SWA having to implement this rule. Do other airlines allow people to pay for one seat and use two?

In Canada, yes. The government has declared that airlines need to provide a free second seat to anyone who, due to a disability, requires it. The law was originally enacted to cover people who need to bring a personal assistant, but was recently extended to include those who are obese (who provide documentation that their obesity causes a disability).

While I feel for the man in the article, the heading of this thread is showing the obvious bias of the OP. The man was not denied boarding because he was fat, he was denied boarding because he did not fit in the available space.

At WDW, if you cannot fit in the seat (or within the safety restraints) - you don't do the ride (and you don't get a discount because there are rides that you cannot do).

 

[rgf207]

I personally don't think it's right that double charge him. My hubby is a little bit smaller then he is, I can only image how embrassed this poor man has been by this.

Unfortunately a 400 pound man would not fit into 1 seat without encroaching on the person next to him. The person sitting next to this man has paid for his/her 1 seat and is entitled to that entire seat. It is southwest's policy to charge for an additional seat if that person takes up 1 seat and part/most of another. That is the only fair way to do it.

I have been on many flights where I have been seated next to someone of size and it is very uncomfortable and those people were not 400lbs.

Now if the flight is not oversold, than southwest will refund the extra seat which is extremely gracious since they are not required since the passenger will be using 2 seats.

 

[crashbb]

I really wish they could make plus size seats on planes, I think that would end a lot of embrassment for people

They do - it's called First Class.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

They do have seats at the front. That is so embrassing LOL.

I really wish they could make plus size seats on planes, I think that would end a lot of embrassment for people

They do - 1st class.

 

[golfgal]

I don't see anything wrong with this policy having spent several long flights with someone using half of my seat with no where to put my arms or legs and being squished against the window or the non-movable arm rest on the aisle. The obvious solution is to find a way to lose weight if this is such an issue for someone.

 

[connorlevismom]

I feel bad for the guy because he missed the funeral but I do agree with the airline. Why should someone else give up 1/2 the seat they paid for because someone else does not fit into their seat?

I find it odd though that they did not ask anyone if they would give up their seat so this guy could have his two seats. Maybe they did, but it does not mention it in the article. Surely there would have been someone that would have taken a little incentive by the airline to make it possible for this guy to make the funeral.

Kristine

 

[rgf207]

I really wish they could make plus size seats on planes, I think that would end a lot of embrassment for people

So how would this work?
Would there be larger seats on the plane for someone overweight to purchase?
Would these seats be the same price as a regular sized seat?
How would you book these seats?
What would be the minimum weight requirement to sit in these larger seats?

Let's flip this around now. There are many overweight people that purchase 1 ticket on a plane knowing that they are required to buy 2 but they don't simply because they don't feel they should have to purchase 2 tickets.

Now we have a 175lb person that purchases one of these larger seats meant for overweight people. they purchase online as most do so there is no way of knowing that this person is not overweight. This person boards the plane and sits in the larger seat that costs the same as one that is half the size. How would this work out for the overweight person that has to sit in a regular seat since the 175lb person purchases the larger seat ticket?

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Southwest doesn't have first class. And the Canadian rule isn't as simple as it sounds. You have to go to the Doctor well in advance of your flight and have him fill out a form that includes butt measurements! Check this out, they actually have a diagram for the Doctors showing them how to calculate width
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28777115/

 

[happygirl]

If the can do it in first class they can do it in coach.

 

[FireDancer]

If the can do it in first class they can do it in coach.

It isn't the airline's responsibility to accommodate someone who can't fit in a seat. It is up to the passenger to either fit in one seat or purchase two. If Southwest was smart they would charge double to sit in that seat anyway since it takes the place of two passengers so in the end the person buying that seat would always be paying double instead of only when the flight is full.

So where does this end, they charge you double at Disney if you can't fit in one seat on a ride?

As others have said if you can't fit either you can't ride or you use a handicapped seat if that is wider and allows you to fit. It isn't a very good comparison however because at Disney World you are not paying for space, you are paying for admission. On a plane or bus you are paying for the seat, not entry to the plane.

Southwest is very good with their policy. The only time you pay for the second seat is if the flight is full. If you have the luxury of time and planning you can usually book on a flight that is less likely to be full and while the single seat may be more it will be cheaper than paying for two less expensive tickets.

If anyone doesn't like SW or any other airline's policy they can choose to not give them their business. I flew SW for the first time this last weekend and I have to say I had a great experience with them as an airline. I have never heard from anyone who had a bad experience that was the fault of the airline.

 

[C.Ann]

Unfortunately a 400 pound man would not fit into 1 seat without encroaching on the person next to him. The person sitting next to this man has paid for his/her 1 seat and is entitled to that entire seat. It is southwest's policy to charge for an additional seat if that person takes up 1 seat and part/most of another. That is the only fair way to do it.

I have been on many flights where I have been seated next to someone of size and it is very uncomfortable and those people were not 400lbs.

Now if the flight is not oversold, than southwest will refund the extra seat which is extremely gracious since they are not required since the passenger will be using 2 seats.

I've had the same problem with a person of size sitting next to me as well - before this policy went into effect - and I weigh less than 100 lbs.. Still, I had to lean over as close to the window as I could.. Wasn't the most comfortable flight in the world - and I never would have complained - but I'm glad they switched to this policy..

And yes - it's very gracious and generous of SW to refund the extra seat if the airplane isn't full..

 

[eliza61]

I personally don't think it's right that double charge him. My hubby is a little bit smaller then he is, I can only image how embrassed this poor man has been by this.

I realize that it probably is very embarrasing but unfortunately the simple laws of physics kick in. Airline seats are designed for a specified weight and size. Just as many types of furniture is. I remember reading an article on Shaquille O'Neil and him mentioning that he has to get so much of his furniture custom made because he is simply too big (tall & weight) to fit and that he can never fly coach because he can't fit.
Now every one does not have NBA money so flying first class is often not an option but I think if you are a large person, a fact of life may be that you have to adjust in some areas.

I'm hoping the airlines would be as sensitive as possible.

 

[rgf207]

I realize that it probably is very embarrasing but unfortunately the simple laws of physics kick in. Airline seats are designed for a specified weight and size. Just as many types of furniture is. I remember reading an article on Shaquille O'Neil and him mentioning that he has to get so much of his furniture custom made because he is simply too big (tall & weight) to fit and that he can never fly coach because he can't fit.
Now every one does not have NBA money so flying first class is often not an option but I think if you are a large person, a fact of life may be that you have to adjust in some areas.

I'm hoping the airlines would be as sensitive as possible.

Yes. His car is actually custom made too. It has a higher roof since he can't sit in a regular car.

 

[eliza61]

If the can do it in first class they can do it in coach.

Would you be willing to pay extra for the seat? Rememer extra large seats means less seats overall in the plane. That means the cost of the flight goes up.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

If the can do it in first class they can do it in coach.

I do not want to pay more so that fat people can be comfortable/have more room!
What is wrong with the fat guy purchasing 2 seats - problem solved.

 

[happygirl]

I do not want to pay more so that fat people can be comfortable/have more room!
What is wrong with the fat guy purchasing 2 seats - problem solved.

Why would you have to pay more? Do new seats make the prices go up?

I also don't s ee why people have to use the word fat, Isn't there a better term for people to use.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I am sure this man and others like him do feel embarassed. However, I am in the camp of the smaller people and feel it is not fair I pay for a whole seat and only get to use a portion.

I was flying with DH on SW awhile back, we checked in the second we could so we had optimal positions in line. We got on and selected seats. DH is average size so basically he does fill his seat. He is a nervous flyer so he wanted me to sit next to him but we put a seat in between incase it wasn't full. A very large woman went to sit with us so i volunteered to take the middle. NO WAY would she have fit. In fact people had to turn to get through the aisle with her in the aisle seat. She had to have the arm rest up and had me smashed up against DH. Luckily it was my DH. He was smashed up against the window even. It was very uncomfortable and to be honest I felt completely ripped off. DH and I both paid for our own seats and we basically shared one. It was a completely full flight so the woman had no other option but I still think I had a right to my own seat. She really needed two seats and therefore should have paid for two instead of taking mine.

 

[crashbb]

Why would you have to pay more? Do new seats make the prices go up?

I also don't s ee why people have to use the word fat, Isn't there a better term for people to use.

You really don't see why people would have to pay more?

Bigger seats take more room, thus you can fit fewer people onto each plane. In order for the airline to make the same amount of money, each seat will need to cost more.

And I agree, I'm not paying more so that people can have bigger seats. Either pay to sit in First/Business Class or buy two seats.