If really obese people have to pay double for an airline ticket

[WriterDom]

Shouldn't really skinny people fly at half price?


By DAVID KOENIG
.c The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines is under fire for its policy of charging overweight passengers for two tickets if they spill over into their neighbor's seat.

The airline says it is trying to provide a comfortable flight for travelers seated next to large passengers.

``We sell seats, and if you consume more than one seat, you have to buy more than one seat,'' said Beth Harbin, a Southwest spokeswoman.

 

[Bindii]

That would only apply if skinny people where willing to share a seat.

Really obese people need two seats.

 

[navarre]

Shouldn't really skinny people fly at half price?


By DAVID KOENIG
.c The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines is under fire for its policy of charging overweight passengers for two tickets if they spill over into their neighbor's seat.

The airline says it is trying to provide a comfortable flight for travelers seated next to large passengers.

``We sell seats, and if you consume more than one seat, you have to buy more than one seat,'' said Beth Harbin, a Southwest spokeswoman.

I'm looking at this on the monitor, with glasses on, and I just can't believe it.
Talk about corporate assholes.

 

[TubbyTrouble]

Maybe we could just pay by the pound.

It makes sense.

We do it for airmail.

And it would be a great incentive to lose weight.

 

[cybergirly]

I find it shocking! Southwest airlines trying to provide a comfortable flight? When did that start?

 

[Rubyfruit]

Is the airline taking the money and giving it to the skinny person whose space is being encroached upon?

Hey, how about this Southwest, why don't you make the seats comfortable to people who happen to be larger than a child of 12.

Grown men, who are not overweight, are squished into those seats.

 

[Rambling Rose]

I prefer two seats whether my ass needs them or not. My best trick is to board late and sit in an empty first class seat. If they question me I tell them I injured my ankle in the airport and they allowed me to switch at the boarding gate as long as there was a passenger seat available. Works every time!

 

[WhiteRose]

Maybe they need to design new adjustable seats with arms that slide side to side. That way if there are four thin people or little kids, they can just jam them all on the same bench together. Two larger people could share one bench. They'd still be able to fit the same number of people on board (maybe even more on some flights) and could charge everyone the same fare.

*puts Southwest on black list for sheer rudeness*

 

[Rubyfruit]

I agree, Rose. First class is the only way to travel.

 

[Rambling Rose]

If I don't have to pay for it, it is. I especially like those free drinks they dish out even before the wheels tuck under.

 

[TubbyTrouble]

Maybe we could start our own airline. AirFat. AeroTubby. FatFlight.

Big seats, real food, and all 747's.

 

[Rubyfruit]

As a larger than normal person, I hate flying coach. I have to fight my claustrophobia the whole trip and I find myself mumbling about the inhumane conditions of it all.

Southwest has some nerve putting this whole problem on the obese among us.

 

[TubbyTrouble]

As a larger than normal person, I hate flying coach. I have to fight my claustrophobia the whole trip and I find myself mumbling about the inhumane conditions of it all.

Southwest has some nerve putting this whole problem on the obese among us.

Excellent thinking. Fat people intrude on other fat people as well.

 

[Ishmael]

Well, first of all this is nothing new. It's been going on for years, it's just that Southwest has choosen to be honest about it.

I worked with a wonderful man that happened to be truly obese. He was required to purchase TWO first class tickets everywhere he flew. I remember on one commuter flight they actually weighed him and bumped one other person from the flight.

On the other hand. The width of the seat in coach on almost all of the airlines is exactly 1 inch wider than the space allocted to slaves in chains on the 'middle passage'. The seating arrangements on modern aircraft have more in common with cattle cars than they do civilized transportation.

Ishmael

 

[pipercatt]

As a larger than normal person, I hate flying coach. I have to fight my claustrophobia the whole trip and I find myself mumbling about the inhumane conditions of it all.

Southwest has some nerve putting this whole problem on the obese among us.

Nicely put, Ruby. I am larger than average myself, and taller than average (5'11"). Any flight over an hour, and I am giant pretzel, with leg and shoulder spasms.

I am tired of it.

 

[Nomad4112000]

HARK HARK what is that I hear. Larger people have to pay twice to fly you say. can you say Discrimination
Just because someone is large they should not be charged more. Whats next "Oh I'm sorry you have a child well they scream so you'll have to ride in the baggage compartment. I don't FUCKING think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rubyfruit]

On the other hand. The width of the seat in coach on almost all of the airlines is exactly 1 inch wider than the space allocted to slaves in chains on the 'middle passage'. The seating arrangements on modern aircraft have more in common with cattle cars than they do civilized transportation.

Ishmael

This doesn't surprise me in the least.

 

[TubbyTrouble]

I don't really see what the big deal is. It's their airlines. Let them make their own rules.

 

[Aphrodisiac]

South west does not have 1st class.

 

[TubbyTrouble]

There are weight rules for a lot of things that are airborne. Express packages and other airmail are charged at a special rate as well.

If it's that big a deal, driving should be considered. No one is going to kick me out of my own van for being too fat.

 

[Rubyfruit]

I'd still like to know what they do with the extra money they charge the fat person.

Says they charge them double if they spill into their neighbor's seat. They wouldn't know that until the passengers were boarded.

Most flights, especially on Southwest, I've taken in recent years are completely full. So, do they make a passenger debark to make room, or what?

 

[Rambling Rose]

Re: SWA doesn't have first class

No they don't. I've only flown SWA once on a quick trip to New Orleans. It was cheaper to fly at the time than drive. I remember it being a comfortable and pleasant flight, actually. I normally fly Delta or Northwest.

 

[Ishmael]

South west does not have 1st class.

One of the reasons that my friend never flew Southwest. Besides, this was over 20 years ago. The reason that I said that this was not a new deal.

Ishmael

 

[markb325]

After SWA going public with this, I am waiting for the first lawsuit for discrimination. The ACLU is going to love this.

 

[JazzManJim]

Says they charge them double if they spill into their neighbor's seat. They wouldn't know that until the passengers were boarded.

Here's the true beauty of the situation. They make that decision as the passengers are boarding and that call is left to the chirpy little person who is doing the boarding. It's a judgement call and, as far as they've announced, there are no hard and fast rules.

So, basically, if the ticket agent thinks you're fat, you're fat.