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A weighty issue: Mother and daughter told they're 'too fat to fly' on Southwest airlines flight
Daily Mail UK ^ | May 12, 2011

Posted on 05/12/2011 11:55:20 AM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: obesity; southwestairlines
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To: Mr.Unique

She works in NYC and flies JetBlue and could be trying to provoke a lawsuit settlement. Sounds like a liberal to me.


121 posted on 05/12/2011 2:28:44 PM PDT by Baladas ((ABBHO))
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

I’d just like to thank everyone for sharing their stories of air flight.

I have not been on a plane post 9/11 nor do I plan on it. Your stories just reinforce this.

If I can’t load myself in my comfortable full size car and drive there. I am NOT going.


122 posted on 05/12/2011 2:31:30 PM PDT by cableguymn
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To: WellyP

Ups will strap her to a pallet.


123 posted on 05/12/2011 2:33:03 PM PDT by org.whodat
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To: montag813
I'd be more concerned about the 6 egg omelet she ate with the sausage links.
124 posted on 05/12/2011 2:33:36 PM PDT by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: Baladas

JetBlue? Where did you get that?


125 posted on 05/12/2011 2:34:50 PM PDT by Mr.Unique (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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To: Farmer Dean
I'd be more concerned about the 6 egg omelet she ate with the sausage links.

Yep. Sulfur surprise.

126 posted on 05/12/2011 2:38:59 PM PDT by montag813
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To: Mr.Unique

From an article I just posted:

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/05/12/kenlie-tiggeman-too-fat-to-fly-on-southwest/?icid=main%7Chp-desktop%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk1%7C212995

“I know that I have a lot of weight to lose but I am definitely not too fat to fly. I do it all the time, domestically and internationally, and I have never had anyone approach me and particularly in the way that they did. I was embarrassed, humiliated.” Tiggeman wrote on her blog that she usually likes to fly JetBlue because “the jets feel more spacious and the customer service is consistently extraordinary”

If that’s not a plug for it, I don’t know what is.


127 posted on 05/12/2011 2:39:35 PM PDT by Baladas ((ABBHO))
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To: Lancey Howard

She’s not fat, she’s “fluffy.”

And Fluffy should get an RV for travel instead of making other people uncomfortable.

Next!


128 posted on 05/12/2011 2:41:22 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Remember, Reflect, Renew: 2011, 10 years since 9/11. Never Forget.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

It really is a safety issue, if the plane crashes and the exit windows are the only way out do you want this person stuck in the exit window.

I’ve sometime jokingly suggested that they shpuld put an aircraft seat (behind a screen) in the boarding area to find out if they’re too large to fly or need to buy an extra seat.

FWIW, she could be attractive if she did lose more weight.


129 posted on 05/12/2011 2:51:17 PM PDT by bjorn14 (Woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20)
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To: pogo101
I did not, unfortunately. I felt that the airline could care less about a "complaining passenger," compared to the millions of flyers. To lose my business, would be no loss to them.

I should have told the FAs in the future, should this happen that I would report their behavior and their disregard to FAA regulations.

130 posted on 05/12/2011 2:52:40 PM PDT by zerosix (native sunflower)
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To: MrEdd
You played hookey during third grade biology, didn't you?

Someone here did. You can get ZERO exercise and not be over weight. Overweight means your body is getting more calories than it burns. Period. If you get less exercise you need to eat less food or you get fat. IF you get fat it is because you ate too much. Period. Unless you have a serious metabolic disorder your body only stores EXTRA calories as fat. It is a self discipline issue for the person in chair just the same as anyone else. The only difference is their food 'limit' before getting fat is smaller. It is more math, calories in versus calories burned. Even struggling to breath burns some. Eat more than that amount and you get fat. Period.
131 posted on 05/12/2011 2:53:17 PM PDT by TalonDJ
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To: Inyo-Mono

the tweerp in the reclined seat in front of me with his seat jammed into my knees


That recline space would be space he paid for. If you have special needs, address them with the airline, and don’t expect to steal from our fellow passenger.

That “twerp” paid for that recline capability, and frankly, I don’t believe that it crushed your knees, with your feet on the floor.


132 posted on 05/12/2011 2:54:19 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (...a.k.a. "Norm L. C. Bias")
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To: Osage Orange

Touche! lol.


133 posted on 05/12/2011 2:55:06 PM PDT by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

These two blimps have nobody to blame but themselves.

People are fat for one reason and one reason only...they eat too damn much. PERIOD.

No one holds a gun to some fatso’s head and tells them to eat.


134 posted on 05/12/2011 3:07:36 PM PDT by Emperor Palpatine (One of these days, Alice....one of these days.....POW!! Right in the kisser!!!!)
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To: zerosix

I’m sick and tired of FAs who refuse to follow federal safety mandates, rather than do her/his job. I know that they are protected by their unions so I don’t expect anything will take care of their rude, obnoxious behavior but it’s a real shame, especially those with “an attitude.”


Like the male FA who was too impressed with the steroidal meat man I was forced to sit next to, and who must have thought that the only purpose in life for his rippling triceps was to remain rock-stationary in my seating space for the whole flight.


135 posted on 05/12/2011 3:10:50 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (...a.k.a. "Norm L. C. Bias")
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To: mnehring
Lol, you’ve sat next to one of those too?

I was waiting outside the terminal in Detroit in preparation for my flight when I saw a humongously obese kid being let out of a car. I said to myself, God, I pity anyone who has to sit next to this boy.

Guess what.........This kid was not only obese but was mentally disabled and all he did on the flight while sitting and squashing me was eat potato chips and apply skin moisturizer to his hands and arms. Talk about being grossed out!

Finally, after about an hour and a half the stewardess came over to him and removed him from his seat and took him into first class!!! Give me a F'n break, I earned that first class seat but the kid got it instead..........

136 posted on 05/12/2011 3:13:08 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (It's a beautiful day and I'm glad I can see it in color.......)
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To: adorno

Overweight people already pay more when they ride in their own cars, so why not expect them to pay more when they ride on an airplane? Perhaps not twice as much, but, 1/3 or 1/4 more for that second seat?


If I could guarantee an empty next to me for 25% more, I’d buy it. Open the deal to all. No discrimination. (I think you’d need a real 100% premium, or 50% if shared by a couple).


137 posted on 05/12/2011 3:16:11 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (...a.k.a. "Norm L. C. Bias")
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To: ArrogantBustard
They’re both morbidly obese.

I always wonder what kind of caloric intake is necessary to maintain that kind of body mass. I'm a guy who weighs 160 lbs and can't envision eating 2x or more my daily ration.

138 posted on 05/12/2011 3:22:07 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: nascarnation
I actually know a family of folks who look like that. I weigh about 210 (which I think is about 30 too much) ... These folks weigh around 300-350, and eat three times as much as I do ...

Then they whine about being fat.

DUH!!!

139 posted on 05/12/2011 3:29:01 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: faucetman

Hey, don’t let it get you down. Being seated next to someone who slops over into your space does seem to bring out the hate in people.

I’ve read these threads before and it’s interesting.

I have absolutely no disagreement with the policy but the ticket agents should take a course in how to handle these situations. My daughter is an HR manager and they do sexual harassment courses all the time.

The agent should ask to speak to the person privately and there should be a private place for the seriously overweight individual to sit in a prototype airplane seat. It should be quickly obvious if an extra ticket is necessary.

Perhaps a conversation ahead of time when you plan to fly would let you know your options and prevent the danger of being bounced.


140 posted on 05/12/2011 3:30:30 PM PDT by altura ( Palin/Ryan 2012)
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