On airplane now, large woman spilling onto me!

[MuranoJo]

:hysterical:

"I'll have a seat in Flying Frontal Baggage, please"

"Sorry, Lady, you don't quality based on our Sagometer. To the Sag Section with you!"

And the Sag Section is worth the extra cost because it has a special secondary upper seat belt which provides support where you need it most.

This thread has been pretty entertaining. :hysterical:

 

[Tia]

I have such a experience but I cant share this.Because it was funny and private.I think I can't forget this in my whole life

Na you can't say that and not share!

 

[geekette]

I have such a experience but I cant share this.Because it was funny and private.I think I can't forget this in my whole life

The internet is anonymous. Your privacy is pretty well assured since I don't even know your name.

Come on, SPILL!!!!!

It is against Tug rules to dangle an amusing story yet withhold it.

 

[DeniseM]

Since Adward9999 is posting from Asia, and not LA, and has posted 4 nonsense posts, I am 99% sure he is setting us up to spam TUG...

 

[pjrose]

Since Adward9999 is posting from Asia, and not LA, and has posted 4 nonsense posts, I am 99% sure he is setting us up to spam TUG...

Party Pooper (him/her, not you)

 

[ScoopKona]

Morbidly obese woman sues airline...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/kenlie-tiggeman-southwests_n_1476907.html

 

[Beefnot]

And the thin passenger that got booted from another flight should have sued for reverse discrimination.

In July 2010, the airline reportedly booted a thin passenger on a flight from Las Vegas to Sacramento to make room for an overweight passenger.

 

[Rose Pink]

Morbidly obese woman sues airline...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/kenlie-tiggeman-southwests_n_1476907.html

According to the video, she is suing for lack of a clear policy at the point of purchase. I don't know what SWA's policy was last year when the incident happened, but when I checked their website, it was clear to me. I think SWA is very fair. They require the purchase of two seats but refund one of those tickets if the flight is not full. I don't see how they could be any more fair and accomodating.

 

[Tia]

And the thin passenger that got booted from another flight should have sued for reverse discrimination.

Don't have the details but possibly the overweight passenger had purchased 2 seats and needed them. Not sure how airlines decide things when overbooked.

 

[Fern Modena]

Southwest makes the refund sound transparent and easy, but it is not. They make it easy to purchase a ticket, online, by telephone, etc. But to get the refund you must mail in the ticket stub. Period. No other way to do it.

Fern

According to the video, she is suing for lack of a clear policy at the point of purchase. I don't know what SWA's policy was last year when the incident happened, but when I checked their website, it was clear to me. I think SWA is very fair. They require the purchase of two seats but refund one of those tickets if the flight is not full. I don't see how they could be any more fair and accomodating.

 

[Beefnot]

Don't have the details but possibly the overweight passenger had purchased 2 seats and needed them. Not sure how airlines decide things when overbooked.

The situation referenced in the article was that a 110lb woman was booted in favor of an overweight 14-yr old who had only paid for one seat.

 

[Tia]

Thanks for the link. Guess it's because the overweight person was a minor and they didn't want to babysit.

I am always saddened when I see overweight children, seems to be many many more then in the 60's- 70's -80's. My good old days without cable TV, soda was a rare treat (no machines in school lobby) , fast food was rare occasion, and didn't have a cupboard full of chips/cookies either.

I had a flight attendant last trip be loud and rude when the over head bins were full of "emergency equipment" aka audio equipment over our seats and had no choice but to put mine a few rows behind (which makes it hard to get after landing). I had not even said anything to him, but had remarked to my friend. He went on saying you can't put items in rows ahead of your row either, as that was an option I saw. He continued to going on how there was life saving equipment! and what did I think was more important!

Later while in flight ,same as above, after being asked by a lady in our row we changed seats with her dtr and grandchild who were in seats a few rows ahead and moved our carry on's

[QUOTE ww.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/27/southwest-airlines-fat-pa_n_660323.html"]article[/URL] was that a 110lb woman was booted in favor of an overweight 14-yr old who had only paid for one seat.[/QUOTE]

 

[vacationhopeful]

The situation referenced in the article was that a 110lb woman was booted in favor of an overweight 14-yr old who had only paid for one seat.

She was a standby passenger who was booted when the ticketted passenger arrived. As he needed 2 seats (yes, he had paid for one) but the other seat was NOT SOLD - 110lb lady was asked to deplane.

I have been a SWA standby passenger - I understood that I could be asked to deplane if a ticketted passenger needed the seat arrived or if a NEW paying passenger showed up.

As for babysitting the 14 yo - unless he was escorted with the tag around his neck (I think it is 10 or 11 yo when a child can fly by themselves), they are treated just like the 85 yo or the 25 yo. I have been at SWA for a 6AM flight where the thunderstorms type weather had cancelled all the evening flights. 2 escorted children where put into the employee break room (period). Yes, left in the break room with random persons eating or getting sodas all night long. These kids (first cousins) had their cell phone and the AM onduty gate agent fetched them back into the terminal when they arrived around 5AM. No food, just water, after their 6PM flight was delayed and then, everything was cancelled. Seems some of the vendor machines returned the money along with food - so they had a little to eat. If they had NOT been escorted, they would have had to sleep in the public lounge area.

 

[ScoopKona]

You know those carry-on measuring contraptions that nobody ever uses?

Let's put a 17" wide seat at the ticket counter. "If you cannot fit into this seat, you are required to buy two adjacent tickets. If two adjacent seats are not available for this flight, you will have to fly a later flight."

The morbidly obese who buy tickets online and then come up with precious excuses like, "How was I supposed to know I wouldn't fit" should be told "You should look in a mirror sometime" and sold an additional seat.

 

[Beefnot]

She was a standby passenger who was booted when the ticketted passenger arrived. As he needed 2 seats (yes, he had paid for one) but the other seat was NOT SOLD - 110lb lady was asked to deplane.

how does that work. So because the passenger was standby, the seat was not sold? SWA doesnt sell seats, it sells admission basically. As far as I'm concerned, the standby passenger was entitled to that seat because the fat kid only paid enough revenue to occupy one seat, just the same as the standby passenger.

 

[vacationhopeful]

The "fat kid" was higher up the feeding chain than the standby traveller. It was immaterial that she was sitting on the plane. SWA boards 20 minutes before take off; seat and rights to seats are NOT FORTFITTED til 10 minutes before push back. The gate agent might have thought - yee, 2 seats, 1 missing passenger and 1 standby. But it did NOT ADD up due to "Passenger of Size" who claimed the seat (and the empty seat, which WAS NOT reserved by the standby). The Standby did NOT fly - did NOT have a reserved seat - did NOT pay for a reserved seat ON THAT FLIGHT.

Yes, SWA did NOT get revenue for that seat, but DID follow their boarding procedures and "PASSENGER of SIZE" guidelines.

 

[ScoopKona]

The "fat kid" was higher up the feeding chain

Yes, I think that has been established.

 

[Rose Pink]

Perhaps airline internet sites need a pop-up that asks, "Do you need two seats?" as a reminder to persons of size. [Oh, why can't we just say large? Why so PC with "persons of size?" It's large. Or extra-large. Everyone is a "size." We aren't discussing the need for a small-sized person to need extra room--the baggage thread is on the Travel forum.]

Also, if making reservations over the phone, the agent should also ask. This leaves no question regarding airline policy. It seems obvious to me that anyone who has ever flown knows the seat limitations and should take responsibility for asking themselves but since, as per the woman suing, they don't seem to have a clue then airlines could make it easier by one simple question. "Airline seats are 17 inches wide. Will you be needing two to accomodate your size?"

 

[Tia]

.... airlines could make it easier by one simple question. "Airline seats are 17 inches wide. Will you be needing two to accomodate your size?"

Yes they could easily do this, seems like a no brainer

 

[Blue Skies]

The woman who is suing SWA has a website: http://www.kenlietiggeman.com/

She talks about the lawsuit on her blog. She has lost over 100 pounds so far and is trying to lose more.

She says she is not opposed to purchasing 2 tickets, but the rules are inconsistent and left up to the discretion of the gate agent. She flies a lot and sometimes she is deemed "to fat to fly" and other times she is not. Also, she wishes the gate agent would use more discretion when pointing out her size in front of the other passengers. It's all on her blog.

 

[timeos2]

Losing weight isn't easy no matter how much a person may desire to. Gaining weight is easy to do no matter how much you may not want to. Self discipline isn't a strong suit for many.

But it is no surprise to anyone, regardless of what even the most positive thinking may want to see, to know that you have gained weight or find that weight limits or seat size that used to be meaningless (weight limits) or easily navigated (seat size) now present a problem. If you think you may have an issue chances are you do. It would be wise to inquire how large a seat is on that plane - if only to make yourself comfortable. It isn't the job or problem of the airline although we have as a society pushed it off the individual and onto a third party - not really a fair thing to do. Then we are surprised when things don't work out.

Take personal responsibility and be realistic goes a LONG way toward avoiding any problems. Regardless of size.

 

[Rose Pink]

Losing weight isn't easy no matter how much a person may desire to. Gaining weight is easy to do no matter how much you may not want to. Self discipline isn't a strong suit for many.

But it is no surprise to anyone, regardless of what even the most positive thinking may want to see, to know that you have gained weight or find that weight limits or seat size that used to be meaningless (weight limits) or easily navigated (seat size) now present a problem. If you think you may have an issue chances are you do. It would be wise to inquire how large a seat is on that plane - if only to make yourself comfortable. It isn't the job or problem of the airline although we have as a society pushed it off the individual and onto a third party - not really a fair thing to do. Then we are surprised when things don't work out.

Take personal responsibility and be realistic goes a LONG way toward avoiding any problems. Regardless of size.

I completely agree but since people either do not recognize their size nor take responsibility for it, I think it would make it more consistent for everyone, regardless of size, if the website or agent asked the question. Then there would be no confusion. The airline does bear responsibility to all of its passengers for clear rules of safety.

 

[Rose Pink]

The woman who is suing SWA has a website: http://www.kenlietiggeman.com/

She talks about the lawsuit on her blog. She has lost over 100 pounds so far and is trying to lose more.

She says she is not opposed to purchasing 2 tickets, but the rules are inconsistent and left up to the discretion of the gate agent. She flies a lot and sometimes she is deemed "to fat to fly" and other times she is not. Also, she wishes the gate agent would use more discretion when pointing out her size in front of the other passengers. It's all on her blog.

She flies alot. That leaves her no room, IMO, to sue the airline. She knows she does not fit. I applaud her for her weight loss thus far but she knows she is still too big for one seat.

 

[Tia]

She flies alot. That leaves her no room, IMO, to sue the airline. She knows she does not fit. I applaud her for her weight loss thus far but she knows she is still too big for one seat.

from the blog link http://www.kenlietiggeman.com/
"...The problem I have with Southwest is not that they may want me to purchase two seats. It’s that sometimes they want that, and other times they don’t. I don’t know about you, but I fly a lot. And paying double because a gate agent may or may not have something against overweight people is not realistic…nor should it be necessary. ..."

Seems to me sometimes she has been allowed to bypass their rules, making it less costly $$$, and other times not. She is asking the airline employees to always follow their rules and make it known.

 

[vacationhopeful]

... Seems to me sometimes she has been allowed to bypass their rules, making it less costly $$$, and other times not. She is asking the airline employees to always follow their rules and make it known.

The SWA rule is "Buy the 2 seats and IF plane is not full, "passenger of size" can request a FULL REFUND of the cost of the 2nd seat." Where does it say the employees should enforce the size rule at the gate consistantly? If "BB" doesn't comply, SWA may deny boarding to her to protect the other passengers from an unpleasant (and possibly unsafe) trip while she is practing being cheap.

Kevin Smith learned that lesson with just ONE bump off SWA => he also lost alot of weight after that.