Southwest will charge large fliers extra fare

Wash Times ^ | 19 jun 02 | Mary Beaudette

[white trash redneck]

Southwest Airlines will start charging larger passengers for two seats on its 2,800 daily flights starting June 26.

The airline, which operates out of 58 U.S. cities and is the largest carrier at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, will begin charging "persons of size" for two seats if they think they may not fit comfortably in one.

[pfflier]

they happen to weigh a bit more

This policy isn't aimed at those people who comprise 60% of the population. It is aimed at those who take up more than one seat and generally weigh more than twice as much as the standard 160 lb average person.

Quit justifying obesity with soft PC terms like "weigh just a bit more" and "fluffy". Just a bit more does not mean one seat more.

[glory]

LOL...too true. I remember hearing recently that what makes it so difficult to loose weight is that it doesn't take many calories to maintain weight. Many "people of size" have to seriously restrict themselves and work out ridiculously until they reach a point where thier muscle quantity starts helping them burn. I've been through this before and I had to be on a ridiculously restrictive diet and worked out for 3-4 hours a day to loose a couple pounds a week. It didn't start coming off quicker until I gained more muscle mass and that muscle helped me burn more. It really can be tough and I think it's just hilarious that you have folks here goofing about the lack of discipline fatties have while they are probably puffing on a cancer stick, finishing off thier 6th brew, or working themselves to death. I've found every person I've ever known lacks discipline in one way or another, it's just that fat folks carry thier lack of discipline with them and others are easier to hide. In the end, the hate of fat is a hate of self discipline one sees in themselves. Fat's just an easy target.

[homeschool mama]

Perhaps you could attempt to discuss this in a civil manner rather than interjecting your 'duhs' into your posts. In addition, we're discussing larger individuals, not blacks or homosexuals. Try to stay on subject.

You blasted me for thinking a person requiring 2 seats should pay for 2 seats. Why do you think it's wrong?

You called me ignorant. Did you read all my posts or just one you thought it wise to use as ammo?

[NittanyLion]

Aren't you forgetting something? In order for any business to succeed, you need something called, "clientele". No customers, no business.

Exactly. I'm sure Southwest has done some calculations and decided the potential loss of fat customers is more than offset by additional revenues from the rest.

[Hunble]

So, why is the concept of larger seats so vile to you?

We all have horror stories about being seated next to a FAT person. Good grief, I am married to one.

If this is a problem with the flying public, then a wise airline will offer an alternative for a profit.

Heck, I would pay double for an airline that allowed smoking!

[glory]

You know I think I'll add that all this picking on fat people shows a certain lack of discipline as well. See, we all have our faults. Some people are gorged slobs on the inside.

[NittanyLion]

You blasted me for thinking a person requiring 2 seats should pay for 2 seats. Why do you think it's wrong?

In the same vein, why should very tall people need to pay more for a midsize or fullsize car? It isn't their fault they can't fit in a Dodge Neon. Let's make the compact car manufacturers subsidize the price of buying a bigger car. But only for the very tall, of course.

[Houmatt]

Why should a morbidly obese person have the privilege to spill their mass, weight, and bodily noises over into my paid space?

And is said person by chance pointing a gun at your person, forcing you to sit there? No? Then get up and MOVE!!

[NittanyLion]

So, why is the concept of larger seats so vile to you?

Because less seats will mean higher costs, perhaps? Airlines can barely break even as it is.

[Chemist_Geek]

Hey, it is fun picking on fat people. I do it every day.

I guess it must be hard to be humble when you're so perfect, eh?

[NittanyLion]

Then get up and MOVE!!

Yes, of course. It's the fat person's right to take up 50% of the seat for which I paid, right? Interesting "logic" you have there.

[Delbert]

SWA stands for Single Wide Ass, If you got a double wide ass you pay more.

[Tony in Hawaii]

Trouble is, if you severely restrict calories, you lose muscle mass. That's what makes it harder. You have to feed your muscles and try to burn fat at the same time.

What you really need to do is forget the scale and concentrate on how your clothes fit. That's a much better indication of progress. A good method is to buy a pair of pants that are too small, and try them on periodically.

I've gone from wearing size 54 Levis to around 44, and I'm shooting for 38. In fact, I'm going to pull out my size 40s right now and try them on.

I'll try to get motivated instead of getting angry, despite the rotten things a few people are saying here.

[homeschool mama]

Sooooo encouraging. Thank you.

[NautiNurse]

Then get up and MOVE!!

ROFLMAO! If morbidly obese people would do exactly that routinely, they
would not require the privilege of spilling their mass, weight and bodily noises
into my paid space.

[Hunble]

Actually, because I absolutly love to cook, any additional weight my wife has is MY FAULT.

But she is absolutly adorable and my very best friend. She is proud of who and what she is today.

I did not invent the term "Minnesota Manatee", she did. My lovely wife spent a fortune creating a custom designed scuba wetsuit that proudly makes her look like a Manatee in the local lakes. And believe me, this custom wetsuit was not cheap!

Back on the subject:

If you actually think that you are purchasing a seat instead of a contract to deliver you to a specified destination. Then the airlines have my full support to screw you in any way that they can.

This old fool knows better.

[glory]

Let's be honest... It is not easy to loose. I've done it too. And it took me 5 mos. to loose 60lbs and you know what, I had to exercise for about 3-4 hours A DAY, everyday. And my calories were restrictive just like Cindy Dawg's. It SEEMS easy to you now that it's all behind you, but it's not, let's be honest. I remember feeling the same way as you once I was in the routine and the weight loss was behind me. When you are looking down at still doing it though, it is not easy. When you are already so big you start panting just walking a half a block, it's not so easy. When you have to go hungry just to loose a lb or two, it's not so easy. You are coming up to maintainance honey so it's easy now to look back and say it was all so easy. Worthwhile I'm sure, but easy...no.

[Freebird Forever]

But seriously, you are making a contract between yourself and the airline to fly to a specific destination. You are NOT buying a seat.

I have to disagree with your reasoning.

With most airlines (Southwest being an exception) you are assigned a seat, and at times required to be seated in it. You aren't buying it in the sense that you can use it whenever you so choose, but you most certainly are renting or leasing that space for the duration of the trip.

[DryFly]

What about that segment of the "person of size" population that is that way because of pregnancy. Anyone ready to charge her more? If not, what's the difference?

[glory]

Agreed...lot's of smart a**es on here who I'm sure have thier own demons, they just can't carry them on thier sleeve(unless they post)like an overweight person can.