To fat to fly??

[kaytieeldr]

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

New seats? No. But fewer seats, absolutely. Say right now there are six seats across (3 and 3) and twenty rows. That's 120 passengers.

Now remove four of those six-across rows and replace them with four-across seating. Now you've only got seating for 112 - and so can sell only 112 tickets for that flight.

 

[arminnie]

What was the airline supposed to do? Ask for a volunteer to deplane so he could fly? That's about the only solution I can think of.

If I go to the airport to buy 1 seat, and there is not 1 seat - well I can't moan about missing the flight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Why because it horribly embrassing for this man, I have been in his postion not in the plane thing, in amusment parks being told to get out that I was to big to fit. It would seem like it would better to come up with a way to accomdate all passanger then alienate them. Once you embrass a someone it really hard for them to go back

I don't get this. I know I'm fat (obese, fluffy, etc). It's pretty obvious to everyone else as well. I fit in all the Disney rides but not some of the USF/IOA coasters. I was in line to ride the Mummy a few years ago, and told the staffer that I would understand if I couldn't fit and had to exit the ride. As it turns out, whatever restraint device is used there worked fine - and I got to ride twice. But it's pretty obvious I'm fat. Hard to hide

 

[kaytieeldr]

Fat person here. 5' 2" 260 pounds. Yes, I'm fat. As far as Pooh-Sized, I prefer Ursula as I'm more Ursula than Pooh. If you're going to infringe on other people's space than get 2 seats. I had to fly for work last year and I am very respectful of other people's space. However, should we be required to buy an extra seat if we have our child with us and our in a row with 3 seats and therefore only using 3 seats?

According to Southwest's C.o.S. policy, yes - because each passenger is entitled to one (and only one ) entire seat.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And don't forget the size 2 and 4 models that grace the catalogues really? I'm gonna look like that if I put those clothes on?

You're gonna love this - Brylane (Lane Bryant/Roaman's parent company) supposedly did a survey and found their customers WANT to see skinny models in the clothing. Go figure

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think Southwest's policy makews perfect sense. I also think it is widely known and easy to find on the website and very clear so I do not buy the "but I didn't know" excuse. Actually, I think the policy is exceedingly generous. Not only will SW refund your money for the second seat if the flight is not sold out--if you are stuck booking a full price fare for your seats they will sell you the second seat at the discounted child's rate.
This is also only one of two situations that I can think of in which a passenger can be guarunteed two adjacent seats (the other being a parent next to a child in an FAA approved car seat). My experience has been that customers requiring 2 seats were able to board the aircraft ahead of everyone else--not even later on with family boarding so they get pick of the entire plane as an added perk. I do not know if that is always the case or just happened to be the case on the few flights I noticed such a thing.

 

[FireDancer]

My experience has been that customers requiring 2 seats were able to board the aircraft ahead of everyone else

This is exactly the case. Maybe not everybody, I think they go with the people needing assistance, but they definitely go before general bording.

 

[pearlieq]

My experience has been that customers requiring 2 seats were able to board the aircraft ahead of everyone else--not even later on with family boarding so they get pick of the entire plane as an added perk. I do not know if that is always the case or just happened to be the case on the few flights I noticed such a thing.

Yup, if you book a *** seat, you get to preboard. Their rationale is that's the best way to ensure you absolutely get 2 seats next to each other. It's written right into their *** policy.

It doesn't suck.

ETA: I was using the abbreviation for Customer of Size. Unfortunately that acronym means something else around here, hence the filter!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yup, if you book a *** seat, you get to preboard. Their rationale is that's the best way to ensure you absolutely get 2 seats next to each other. It's written right into their *** policy.

It doesn't suck.

ETA: I was using the abbreviation for Customer of Size. Unfortunately that acronym means something else around here, hence the filter!

I bet! See there ARE some perks that go along with it
BTW Ireally liked your post earlier--I think you are very sensible

 

[minkydog]

I feel bad for the guy who wasn't allowed to board due to his excessive weight. That had to be a completely humiliating experience. But then again, walking around at 400-lbs has to be a pretty humiliating experience. Most people who are that size have some inkling of how much space they displace so it shouldn't have come as a surprise to him that he needed two seats. How many people want to sit close up and personal with a complete stranger?

I'm a big girl, 190-lbs, but I fit in the airline seats with ease. My sister, at 350-lbs, does not. The last time we flew together she could not lower the arm rest and in fact, her legs and hips invaded my seat as well. It was mildly annoying to me, but since she's my sister I didn't say anything. She knows she's big. I mean, she's real big. In fact, DSis does not fly anymore. She is too afraid of not being able to fit in the seat. And she can't just fly with her hubby next to her--he weighs more than she does! It's a shame, because she's had to cut herself off of traveling unless she goes by Amtrak or by car.

 

[C.Ann]

I feel bad for the guy who wasn't allowed to board due to his excessive weight. That had to be a completely humiliating experience. But then again, walking around at 400-lbs has to be a pretty humiliating experience. Most people who are that size have some inkling of how much space they displace so it shouldn't have come as a surprise to him that he needed two seats.

This is so true.. My friend that I spoke of in my previous post? One day I was over to his place sitting outside with a group of others and his lawn chair broke.. I felt bad (knowing how embarrassing it was for him), so I said something along the lines of, "I've never liked those types of lawn chairs - they're made so cheap" - to which he replied, "No - it's me.. I'm too fat.."

Yes - he is aware - and always purchases 2 seats when he flies.. He chooses to be "proactive" when traveling - rather than getting to the airport and running the risk of going through what this gentleman in the article did..

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Busy afternoon in work, so I couldn't hang around before.

I just wanted to point out that my problem is NOT with buying an extra seat, my problem is with the way so many on this thread throw around the word "fat". It is completely meant in a derrogatory way and that is what annoys me. There are so many other conditions that we use the correct medical term, or a more PC term for, but it still seems okay to spit the word "fat" at someone. There is a medical term -- obese.

 

[HOGFAN]

1. When I fly, armrest is down, period. I dont care how big seatmate is.

2. I try to not fly alone since I have epilepsy. For this reason, I do request that my companion be seated next to me. Airlines are very good about this.

 

[happygirl]

New seats? No. But fewer seats, absolutely. Say right now there are six seats across (3 and 3) and twenty rows. That's 120 passengers.

Now remove four of those six-across rows and replace them with four-across seating. Now you've only got seating for 112 - and so can sell only 112 tickets for that flight.

Thanks for explaining that

 

[C.Ann]

Busy afternoon in work, so I couldn't hang around before.

I just wanted to point out that my problem is NOT with buying an extra seat, my problem is with the way so many on this thread throw around the word "fat". It is completely meant in a derrogatory way and that is what annoys me. There are so many other conditions that we use the correct medical term, or a more PC term for, but it still seems okay to spit the word "fat" at someone. There is a medical term -- obese.

I feel the same way - which is why I pointed out a few other options.. I would no more call someone "fat" due to their size than I would call someone a "retard" because they had learning disabilities.. Unless someone is referring to themselves as "fat", I would venture to guess there are many people who use that term when describing overweight people in a deragatory manner and they do it intentionally.. JMO..

 

[happygirl]

I don't get this. I know I'm fat (obese, fluffy, etc). It's pretty obvious to everyone else as well. I fit in all the Disney rides but not some of the USF/IOA coasters. I was in line to ride the Mummy a few years ago, and told the staffer that I would understand if I couldn't fit and had to exit the ride. As it turns out, whatever restraint device is used there worked fine - and I got to ride twice. But it's pretty obvious I'm fat. Hard to hide

Disney is really good about rides for the plus sized person. Six flag is one of the worst I have seen.

 

[crz4mm2]

My Brother is Obese. He does not fit in one regular size seat. Some of the airlines do not require a large person to buy two seats. when we travel together one of us sits next to him. I can assure you it is a rather uncomfortable trip.
He SHOULD have to buy two seats since he takes up more than one seat.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that Southwest's policy is just fine. One seat per person unless you purchase two and you should if you can't fit in one. I feel bad for the man but I see no other way to handle this.

I wonder about tall people too. I noticed that the fellow across from me during our last flight kind of had to straddle the seat in front of him. He was maybe 6' or a little more. I can't imagine how someone really tall would fly if they can't afford first class.

 

[disykat]

The unfortunate upshot of this is that airlines are going to have to change their policy of allowing people on an unfull plane to "overflow" their seat and just seating them next to an empty with no charge. It's too risky that someone will claim "they've never charged me before." They'll end up having to be stricter with the rule and always enforce it - even if they're sitting next to their own child or an empty seat.

 

[DizBelle]

Busy afternoon in work, so I couldn't hang around before.

I just wanted to point out that my problem is NOT with buying an extra seat, my problem is with the way so many on this thread throw around the word "fat". It is completely meant in a derrogatory way and that is what annoys me. There are so many other conditions that we use the correct medical term, or a more PC term for, but it still seems okay to spit the word "fat" at someone. There is a medical term -- obese.

Just wait. "Obese" will eventually be a derogatory term too. Then we'll come up with a new medical or PC term.