woman removed from plane to make room for obese teen

[Captain Oates 911]

SouthWest has first class now?

Have you ever ridden SW? It's like Greyhound in the air! "Come on y'all. Find yo seats! Captain fin'ta take off. Come on, now, sit yo' @$$ down. Captain boutsta go!"

you have seen nothing !!!

[slim 1,525]

This airline is the shiznit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpI7UzqqJAs&feature=related

Edited July 26, 2010 by slim

[john & jean 37]

I would give up the seat, in hand cuffs with a pair of air marshals in tow

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I would give up the seat, in hand cuffs with a pair of air marshals in tow

I'd sit and bargain...maybe ask for a manager (the minute they bring up handcuffs, I'd comply though...and then raise a complaint immediately)

Edited July 27, 2010 by Sousuke

[trillium13 84]

It sounds like her parents didn't follow the rules and buy two tickets like they are supposed to. Shouldn't penalize a woman for their mistake.

Is that really a requirement, or merely a suggestion?

I've seen many a thread like this, and most heavy people don't want to admit that they need 2 seats, nor do they think they should have to pay for 2 seats. Such has been my experience, anyway.

I saw this story elsewhere, and something was mentioned along the lines of not wanting to embarrass this girl because she's 14. So they just booted somebody off the plane to make room.

Personally I think that if you take up 2 seats you should pay for 2 seats. I also think that you should arrive early for your flight if you want to avoid any problems.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Is that really a requirement, or merely a suggestion?

I've seen many a thread like this, and most heavy people don't want to admit that they need 2 seats, nor do they think they should have to pay for 2 seats. Such has been my experience, anyway.

I saw this story elsewhere, and something was mentioned along the lines of not wanting to embarrass this girl because she's 14. So they just booted somebody off the plane to make room.

Personally I think that if you take up 2 seats you should pay for 2 seats. I also think that you should arrive early for your flight if you want to avoid any problems.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/cos_qa.html

[trillium13 84]

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/cos_qa.html

Interesting. I wonder if other airlines do the same (but I'm too lazy to look).

I like their term "customer of size".

In reference to this thread, yes, this person should have been asked to purchase another seat. The skinny chick still would have gotten the boot though. I wonder how often this sort of thing happens, where a large person who should have purchased 2 seats does not, and is called out on it at flight time.

[Jenn! 918]

If you're not a "customer of size", can you buy two seats for your own comfort?

[Craneman 2]

I am just saying not all people hate fatties..

Let them sit next to you on a 10 hour flight and you will sing a different tune.

[Craneman 2]

I'll pay attention to any details I wish with no help from you.

I only made that observation in a neutral, non-judgmental way.

I also suggested a better course for the airline, to be able to please both customers

which they obviously did not do.

Minorities getting you down this week?

Thanks for the exclaimation point. A half point for subtlety.

You don't fly much do you.

Whenever a huge person starts down the entryway you can see the dread in everyones faces, "hope they aint next to me!"

Nothing wosre than 100 pounds of someone elses fat draped over onto you for 10 hours, forget the vomit bag, give it to them.

[Craneman 2]

A person on standby has no voice in this situation. I think SW did the right thing in this situation.

If he takes 2 seats he should pay for 2 seats.

[Craneman 2]

standby is the abyss of air travel... you have to come to airport early and wait till the end to get a seat. Stewards and stewardess all know who is standby and they don't expect any bs from those passengers.

"Flight Attendent" Sterwardesses do not exist, Politically Correct.

You don't fly much either.

[Yoink 7]

"Flight Attendent" Sterwardesses do not exist, Politically Correct.

You don't fly much either.

Thanks for the correction... I don't think you would fly in my world

[Anna C. 4]

Hm how did she pay the full fare for standby? United only charges a little for standby. Weird.

The woman should have ben offered a free flight on top of the next flight home plus restaurant and hotel vouchers for the time she was stuck at the different airport. The parents of the kid should pay for the second seat, no doubt. People complain how harsh the policy of the customer of size is, but it is a true problem for all airlines and passengers. Planes are built for average BMI people. Even I have space issues all the time and I'm 5'6'' and weigh 112.

[sweetnsour 0]

Let them sit next to you on a 10 hour flight and you will sing a different tune.

I have sat next to a large woman on my way back from Morocco...it was not 10 hours but 8 hours..not the most pleasing time of my life but she was a very kind person and I had no hate towards her what so ever..I know what you mean believe me..but I am simply stating that not all hate fatties..I agree a larger person should purchase two seats that way they can avoid problems..I guess I am soft hearted ..I just hate hurting people's feelings...