Airline Asks 300-Pound Woman To Buy Two Seats Woman Headed To Orlando To Visit Dying Brother

Local6.Com ^ | July 3, 2002 | Jackie London

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

A 300-pound woman said that she was discrimated against when a Southwest Airlines counter worker required her to buy two tickets to fly to Orlando because of her weight, according to Local 6 News.

New York resident Maria Corea and her 9-year-old son were scheduled to leave Albany, N.Y., Tuesday to reportedly see their dying brother, according to Local 6 News.

However, when Corea approached the counter, she was told that she needed purchased two tickets.

"So they call me to the counter and tell me that I have (to buy) another ticket because my weight," Corea said. Corea said that she did not have the money to purchase another ticket and canceled the trip, according to the report.

She said that she would rather fly on another airline.

Southwest Airlines reportedly began enforcing the little-known policy June 26 that requires two tickets for what the company calls "people of size."

Company officials said its ticket agents always had the option of charging larger passengers for two seats.

Earlier this month, Southwest spokesman Ed Stewart denied any change in Southwest policy. He said larger passengers have always been charged for two seats if they couldn't fit comfortably in one.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Wow, I'm glad this wasn't enforced in '95 when I flew while I was 7 months pregnant....My a$$ was HUGE!!

:*)

[TomServo]

Already posted here.

[RAT Patrol]

LOL. Seriously, though, I don't think this is funny or nice. The lady wasn't offered a discount for the 9 year olds weight was she? I just think it is wrong. Are they also charging more for tall people? They should charge less for skinny people too.

[Cynderbean]

I wonder if they give you a discount if you are super skinny? If you only fill half the seat, why not save half the price.

[Birdwatcher]

Southwest is charging for the seat not the weight. If you overflow your seat and no one wants to sit next to you then Southwest is losing money from a seat they could sell. They might have been able to have the kid sit next to his mom and get squished though and not charge her. All this whining seems like Democraps.com.

[homeschool mama]

If your body requires 2 seats to fit then one should pay for both seats.

This is not a new rule...some other airlines hold to the same rule.

[Free Fire Zone]

I've been on a full flight, in the window seat, sitting on a runway at 95 degrees with a 300 lb'er in the center seat, it ain't pleasant. If they take up two seats, let 'em pay for two seats.

Free Fire Zone

[Busywhiskers]

Since there is a strong correlation between the weight of an aircraft and it's fuel consumption, (therefore it's operating cost), perhaps airlines should charge everyone by the pound. : )

[Guillermo]

I doubt the FAA allows two small people to share one seat.

Although if this fat pig and her son (who is probably fat too) could fit into two seats without spilling over into a third, they should have let her on without making her buy another ticket.

[mamelukesabre]

I think they should force anyone over 250 lbs to fly first class. There are bigger seats there.

[Guillermo]

Sometimes buying 2 coach seats can be cheaper than a 1st class seat.

[sonserae]

The woman CLEARLY takes up two seats so she should buy two tickets. That is fair. Have you ever had to sit next to someone 300 pounds on an airplane? It's miserable. They overflow into your seat.

[RAT Patrol]

But the seats aren't big enough to start with. They should advertise "we sell 12 inches of space..if your butt is bigger than that it'll cost you."

I think they should have to provide a seat that will fit the obese person.

[mamelukesabre]

What good is it to make a large person buy two seats? It's not like their going to sit on the crack between the two seats. And the seatbelts don't go in the middle either, or the fold down tray, or the head rest, and you can't recline two seats at the same time very well. First class probably also gives you more leg room too, I don't know for sure since I've never flown first class. But most people that large could also use the added leg room.

[mamelukesabre]

They already do. It's called "first class"

[Guillermo]

They should be charged for 2 seats, because they take up 2 seats. Fatsos get seat belt extenders.

[JoeFromCA]

I have no interest in subsidizing obese people, which would be the result if airlines provided bigger seats for fat people (fewer seats and same operating costs+profit= higher costs).

If you take up extra space, you should pay for it. I also have no interest in sharing my seat, which I paid for, which an obese person. It is a little harsh to find out at the last minute that you aren't going to be able to infringe on other people's seat space, but these obese folks will learn the rules soon enough.

In response to above comments, SUV drivers already pay higher taxes because their vehicles burn more fuel. And two skinny people aren't allowed to occupy the same seat because it's unsafe.

[JoeFromCA]

Southwest, which I fly often, has no first class. Everybody's seat is small (and I might add, cheap). SW keeps fares low(er) by keeping the rules tight. I applaud them.

[ml/nj]

Are they also charging more for tall people? They should charge less for skinny people too.

You can't be serious!

Tall people are nothing except uncomforatble themselves. They don't bother the airline or any other passenger.

Actually, I'm for separate seating on airplanes. There's no reason why women should get the same amount of room as men. I have to fly first class to have the same relative amount of room as my wife. If we're really going to have equality in this country, then everyone should have the same amount of distance from his/her knees to the seat in front of him/her, or be compensated for life by the airline.

ML/NJ