Posted on 07/22/2010 6:58:39 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
"I felt like there wasn't a big enough rock for me to crawl under," says Lozano. On July 8th, she was supposed to fly to Baltimore - a gift from her brother she hasn't seen in four years. However, when she got to the gate, she was told she'd have to purchase an extra ticket because she wouldn't fit into a seat. "It was judgmental," adds Lozano, who weights 298 pounds. "It was based on their judgment. People were hearing everything that was going on, parading me around. I wouldn't call that discreet. Southwest Airlines wouldnt comment specifically on Marys case, but say that all their passenger size-related guidelines are found online. Representatives with the airline say passengers must fit into a 17-inch seat with the armrests down, or buy another ticket for extra space. If the plane isnt full, you can get that extra money back. However, when News 4 WOAI asked how staff members determine who can fit to fly, they said its based on visual assessments what their employees see. Southwest refunded Marys ticket, and her brother is now flying to San Antonio instead. Even though Im very big, I feel very little, Lozano adds. I feel damaged or something. I dont want to take a bus or a plane, I wont take a train, I dont feel like I can travel in any vehicle except my car. Heres a list of passenger size guidelines for airlines at San Antonio International Airport: Aeromexico CLICK HERE
Airtran: CLICK HERE American: CLICK HERE Continental: CLICK HERE Delta: CLICK HERE Frontier: CLICK HERE Skywest: CLICK HERE Southwest: CLICK HERE United: CLICK HERE US Airways: CLICK HERE |
Hey I have an idea for the airlines:
Narrow all seats to allow only those that weigh no more than 110 lbs. to fit, increase seating X 2 and then you can charge almost everyone for the extra seat.
If you can’t fit in one seat, you should pay for the two seats that you occupy.
She's got that right.
I’d love a 17 inch wide armrest. In reality they are about 3” and there is only one between the seats. I think the seat is actually 17inches.
I've had the displeasure of sitting behind or beside much smaller people who do stupid things like leaving their seat back the full trip and spilling their boides or belongings over into the adjoining seat-- mine!
The courtesy of the passenger should be considered at least as much as their size.
Next time this happens, the staff members should take a tape measure across the ass and waist of the person in question and see how well that is received.
I have nothing against fat people, it's their choice whether or not they decide to be that way, but when it affects other people, it can be a problem.
What bugs me about this person in particular is how she was “humiliated”. The airlines didn't humiliate her, she did that all by herself.
Way beyond the line if she is less than 5 feet tall. ;-)
This woman is the same weight as I am, except I am 6’5” tall. I fit, snugly, but fit into a single seat. Whether any likes it or not, airlines live by selling seats to individual people. People who require TWO seats, must (pardon me) pay the freight.
I understand the expression “I’m LITTLE inside”, but we all live in the real world.
Yeah, she can pay for 2 seats so all of us can be more comfortable. It's not just about the feelings of the larger person. I'm sick of worrying about others feelings and them not worrying about mine!
At 298 pounds, if she was 6’6” that 17” seat would probably not be a problem (legroom would be a different matter). Economy seats are strictly for the median population. Too tall or too wide and comfort/safety goes out the window.
Hope she doesn’t sue \sarcasm
She’s probably 5’2” and is so wide she won’t fit in a seat.
“But how do one place a 300 pound body in a 17-inch wide seat?”
Just roll it in lard and then push.
I clicked on a couple of the airline reference links. One of them had a 3 part test: - Need no more than one seat belt extender
- Must be able to put down the seat arms when seated
- (I forget the 3rd one, but it was United Airlines).
That seems pretty objective to me, but you can only apply the test once the person is on the plane (or with a test seat, like the rack they have for carry-on bags).
Coming soon to an airline near you - plus-sized seating as mandated by the federal guv’ment. Two rows of seats near the front of coach (not the rear as that would be humiliating) for the people who just can’t say no to Ding Dong’s and an evening with the remote.
We have our winner.
So, lose a hundred pounds, already!
No way is she too big. I saw a video of a burro flying the other day.
I remember on a flight many years ago prior to these guidelines being in a middle seat with over-sized folks on either side. I was there last & truly there was no room for me ..
I remember going to flight attendant & pointing out the situation. Fortunately there were other seats available & they assigned me one of them
Until recently my mom has been big in girth, butt etc and had she flown I would have gone with two seats or a first class seat.
The brother should have done the same to save her embarrassment. The first class seat would probably be less than 2 coach & she would have had a nice trip, ample room & felt like a queen.
Kansas City, Here I Come... (they got some pretty little women there...)
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