A weighty issue: Mother and daughter told they're 'too fat to fly' on Southwest airlines flight

Daily Mail UK ^ | May 12, 2011

[rightwingintelligentsia]

After losing 120lbs flying has become less of a big issue for one woman.

But Kenlie Tiggeman, from Galliano, Louisiana, was cruelly reminded of her battle to lose weight this Easter when Southwest airlines said she and her mother were 'too fat to fly.'

Miss Tiggeman, a political strategist, and her mother Joan Charpentier, were on a stop-over in Dallas when they were singled out by an official in front of some 100 other passengers because of their size.

Another larger lady due on the same flight had also been targeted

'I asked him what the weight restrictions were and he said that he didn't know, just that we were too heavy to fly. Too fat to fly,' Miss Tiggeman told WDSU News.

The airline's 'customers of size' policy states passengers have to purchase a second seat if they cannot fit between the armrests, which are 17-inches across. However customers may be able to claim the money back if the flight isn't sold out.

[ransacked]

Just pray you don’t end up in the seat next to them.

[forgotten man]

I will buy a ticket on Southwest Airlines when pigs fly!

[VRWCmember]

OK, so was she told she was too fat to fly or was she told that if she had to use two seats she had to pay for two seats. Maybe she can get one of those “friends fly free” tickets and use the free ticket for the second seat that is required to fit her.

[US Navy Vet]

A “political strategist” HUMMM wonder WHAT party.

[Lancey Howard]

They’re just big-boned.

[misterrob]

Sounds like the airline violated their own standards by not handling it privately.

Having sat next too a hefty or two in my flying days I can say for sure that people who spill out of their rented spaces are a hassle for other passengers.

[Osage Orange]

Pigs already fly.......

[daniel boob]

I’m 6’-6” and in fair shape - but my hips are squeezed fitting in the cheap ass seats. It is patently unfair to single these people out.

[skyman]

The SW employee should have handled in private from the beginning but they would encroach on what little space you haveif you had to sit next to them so they should have to pay for a 2nd seat if it’s sold out.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”The airline's ‘customers of size’ policy states passengers have to purchase a second seat if they cannot fit between the armrests, which are 17-inches across. However customers may be able to claim the money back if the flight isn't sold out.”

I love SouthWest. Thank goodness.

[MrB]

TTIJFWP

This thread is just fine without pictures.

[I cannot think of a name]

I don't want to get into the whole fat/versus not fat argument, but there is one aspect of this story worth commenting on.

I work in aviation, and all of the seats on an airliner have to go through a series of pull tests. While the loads are different, all seats are certified for forward, side, and aft loads. And the certification is done with the arm rests in place and down.

Some people get on the plane and immediately put the arm rest up because they won't fit inside it. If I'm next to them, the flight crew is immediately faced with a problem, because I let them know I will not be onboard for landing and takeoff with that arm rest up. And if I'm asked to get off, I will go straight to the nearest FSDO and file a violation.

I'm sorry that airline seats were designed around a 170 pound person - but that's the way it is. And a large persons’ right to fly is no greater right than my right to be safe.

[caww]

I suppose the line must be drawn somewhere when it comes to how much seat you take up. Next we’ll learn airlines will be making “special seats” for the obese. But even then they will have to determine who qualifies to have them.

[CASchack]

How would you like to be the unlucky person in the next seat?

[Brett66]

I think I'm sympathetic to the airline's policy:

Would you want to be in a middle seat next to her?

[from occupied ga]

I was next to some guy about that size (needed a seat belt extender), and he asked if he could put up the arm rest. I told him no that was the only thing keeping him from spilling into my seat. He really was PO’d at me, but the armrest stayed down.

[ArrogantBustard]

They’re both morbidly obese.

Kudos to the younger one: she appears to be less morbidly obese than previously, but she still has a long way to go.

Whining about it won’t help.

[WellyP]

GOOD, about damn time! I have been stuffed in next to gross obese fat slobs too damn times in my flying life. Buying a second seat or take a freight car!

[dfwgator]

Well Cindy McCain is pretty skinny, so that would eliminate her and Meghan.