And here's an interesting opinion piece that talks about it.

 

There are several things in this piece that strike me:

 

1) So, you're a big person, does that mean you have fewer rights than thinner individuals?

2) The service issues raised in the commentary. Seriously...you pay a lot of money to fly. Shouldn't there be something about the experience that's pleasant?

3) The author was denied health insurance because she had a history of anorexia. Interesting tidbit given the healthcare debates these days.

 

This thread could go on and on. :lol:

As a former fatty I've got to tell you had they done that to me I would have been arrested.

 

My question is how many people go through this embarrasment and don't have the bully pulpit and name value that Kevin Smith has?

And here's an interesting opinion piece that talks about it.

 

There are several things in this piece that strike me:

 

1) So, you're a big person, does that mean you have fewer rights than thinner individuals?

2) The service issues raised in the commentary. Seriously...you pay a lot of money to fly. Shouldn't there be something about the experience that's pleasant?

3) The author was denied health insurance because she had a history of anorexia. Interesting tidbit given the healthcare debates these days.

 

This thread could go on and on. :lol:

#1 brings up several avenues of discussion.

1) What rights were taken away? No one has a right to fly.

2) Planes are cramped enough as it is. Why should the thin person be made that much more miserable because the person next to them is so fat they are taking up a seat and a half. What if the fat person was required to purchase two seats?

3) Back to the rights thing. If you buy that argument, then does it also mean a non smoker had more rights then a smoker?

#1 brings up several avenues of discussion.

1) What rights were taken away? No one has a right to fly.

2) Planes are cramped enough as it is. Why should the thin person be made that much more miserable because the person next to them is so fat they are taking up a seat and a half. What if the fat person was required to purchase two seats?

3) Back to the rights thing. If you buy that argument, then does it also mean a non smoker had more rights then a smoker?

 

 

1) In the case of Kevin Smith he bought 2 seats. Laying down your money certainly should ensure that you have some rights.

2)Again, many airlines now require that a big person buys two seats. So, there shouldn't be an issue for that poor, maligned thin person.

3) Apples to oranges. A heavy person who properly follows the rules set forth does no harm to anyone by being heavy. A smoker smoking around a non-smoker can certainly be said to be causing ill-health for the non-smoker.

There is not a Constitutional right to riding on an airplane. Therefore, the carriers get to decide how wide their seats are. So, someone like me who buys a ticket fully expects that the person next to me is going to stay in their space. If that space is not big enough for that person, they have two choices. Buy 2 seats or don't fly. Its really that simple.

 

The real issue here is how to make this happen BEFORE the person has to be told to get off of the plane.

1) In the case of Kevin Smith he bought 2 seats. Laying down your money certainly should ensure that you have some rights.

2)Again, many airlines now require that a big person buys two seats. So, there shouldn't be an issue for that poor, maligned thin person.

3) Apples to oranges. A heavy person who properly follows the rules set forth does no harm to anyone by being heavy. A smoker smoking around a non-smoker can certainly be said to be causing ill-health for the non-smoker.

1) See what I get for skimming the story. If he bought two seats then Southwest was way out of line and I don't see any explanation they could have.

2) As they should so the "poor maligned thin person" doesn't have to be punished.

3) I know it isn't a perfect example but I guarantee you someones rolls flapping in your face for a couple of hours can't be good for your health, at least your mental health.

If you can get into the seat, get the armrest down and buckle the belt (as Smith was able to do) then there shouldn't be an issue. If you are bothered sitting next to a person like that then you should leave.

 

When I fly I like to read and sleep yet I always seem to get seated next to someone who wants to become my best friend during the flight. For the comfort of people like me should airlines instutute a no talking rule?

 

I used to be appalled that I had to pay more for XXL clothing yet a person who wor large didn't have to pay more then a small person.

#1 brings up several avenues of discussion.

1) What rights were taken away? No one has a right to fly.

2) Planes are cramped enough as it is. Why should the thin person be made that much more miserable because the person next to them is so fat they are taking up a seat and a half. What if the fat person was required to purchase two seats?

3) Back to the rights thing. If you buy that argument, then does it also mean a non smoker had more rights then a smoker?

 

I am not an expert, so I am not speaking from any pulpit that is claiming I am.

 

But I do know that a plane has weight and balance concerns and wonder to be imbalance can lead to safety concerns.

 

Did not the airlines that had a plane crash in NJ, I think, last year had falsified weight/balance forms?

1) See what I get for skimming the story. If he bought two seats then Southwest was way out of line and I don't see any explanation they could have.

2) As they should so the "poor maligned thin person" doesn't have to be punished.

3) I know it isn't a perfect example but I guarantee you someones rolls flapping in your face for a couple of hours can't be good for your health, at least your mental health.

 

 

The View had discussed this and he did buy two seats BUT then went on Standby which was only one seat.

I am not an expert, so I am not speaking from any pulpit that is claiming I am.

 

But I do know that a plane has weight and balance concerns and wonder to be imbalance can lead to safety concerns.

 

Did not the airlines that had a plane crash in NJ, I think, last year had falsified weight/balance forms?

 

 

Reminds me of the comedian talking about flying on puddle-jumpers in the Caribbean. Someone asked him how much he weighed. When he asked why, the person said they needed the passengers' weights so they would know how much fuel to take on.

 

As he thought about how many vain women might not be entirely forthcoming, his response was...

 

"Fill it up. Just fill it up."

Reminds me of the comedian talking about flying on puddle-jumpers in the Caribbean. Someone asked him how much he weighed. When he asked why, the person said they needed the passengers' weights so they would know how much fuel to take on.

 

As he thought about how many vain women might not be entirely forthcoming, his response was...

 

"Fill it up. Just fill it up."

 

Too funny.

Reminds me of the comedian talking about flying on puddle-jumpers in the Caribbean. Someone asked him how much he weighed. When he asked why, the person said they needed the passengers' weights so they would know how much fuel to take on.

 

As he thought about how many vain women might not be entirely forthcoming, his response was...

 

"Fill it up. Just fill it up."

Yeah, I heard that on Bob and Tom, funny stuff.

 

"fill it up, I'll buy"

If you can get into the seat, get the armrest down and buckle the belt (as Smith was able to do) then there shouldn't be an issue. If you are bothered sitting next to a person like that then you should leave.

 

When I fly I like to read and sleep yet I always seem to get seated next to someone who wants to become my best friend during the flight. For the comfort of people like me should airlines instutute a no talking rule?

 

I used to be appalled that I had to pay more for XXL clothing yet a person who wor large didn't have to pay more then a small person.

I always figured the XXL and bigger were more for a few of reasons.

1. the obvious, they had more material

2. probably the bigger reason, they didn't make as many.

3. stores almost always have them left over and end up putting them on clearance.

I could be wrong on all accounts but was always my best guess.

I am not an expert, so I am not speaking from any pulpit that is claiming I am.

 

But I do know that a plane has weight and balance concerns and wonder to be imbalance can lead to safety concerns.

 

Did not the airlines that had a plane crash in NJ, I think, last year had falsified weight/balance forms?

 

I believe the plane that crashed in NJ was a smaller propeller plane where the calculation of weight and balance is substantially influenced by the weight of the pilot and passengers, a 737 isn't going to have an issue with the weight of a passenger.

 

As far as the story goes, I don't think Southwest has much of a case in the eyes of public opinion. I believe they should be allowed to deny service to someone in certain cases, but if Smith was not made aware of some policy ahead of purchasing the tickets and especially boarding the plane Southwest is doing something very wrong. Smith isn't that large (from what I can tell) and he purchased two tickets, that should more than suffice. It's something that makes me hesitant to purchase a ticket from them this spring despite their low fares.

I believe the plane that crashed in NJ was a smaller propeller plane where the calculation of weight and balance is substantially influenced by the weight of the pilot and passengers, a 737 isn't going to have an issue with the weight of a passenger.

 

As far as the story goes, I don't think Southwest has much of a case in the eyes of public opinion. I believe they should be allowed to deny service to someone in certain cases, but if Smith was not made aware of some policy ahead of purchasing the tickets and especially boarding the plane Southwest is doing something very wrong. Smith isn't that large (from what I can tell) and he purchased two tickets, that should more than suffice. It's something that makes me hesitant to purchase a ticket from them this spring despite their low fares.

 

 

Stole the words out of my mouth. If they let him buy his ticket and board the plane without saying a word to him, then they shouldn't be allowed to ask him to leave after hes already sat down. If they were going to make him buy 2 tickets, they should do it before he sits down instead of embarrassing him in front of everyone.