Southwest Tightens The Belt On ‘Customer of Size’ Policy

Never... On this website have I ever seen such puerile and inane commentary.
This not Facebook, or yahoo comments.
If you don't have anything ''human'' to contribute, don't contribute

I am pretty small sized person... I remember once riding NON-REV and I had sit between to EXCESSIVELY LARGE WOMEN! I was the last one on the plane, and I was Literally sitting on my side (They both had their Armrests up)... No exageration! The Flight Attendant who knew I was a company mechanic took note and came back to me and told me: "The Captain just told me that you were on board and asked if I would like to fly the Jump Seat".... I could not jump out of that seat a fast enough.... The Jump seat by comparison was a 1st Class upgrade by comparison! Just a note... Both of those 2 women were using Seat Belt Extenders and they were stretched to the max! They made Rosie O'Donnell look like a toothpick!

I once had a flight where I sat next to Mr. Universe -- a nicer man you would never want to meet. A body builder, Mr. Universe had his title for one year and had to fly to various events. Not overweight, he had enormous thighs that simply wouldn't fit in the window seat. He asked politely if he could use the middle seat and I told him that nobody would likely challenge him.

I'm a "customer of size." I weigh "only" 210 pounds/95Kg, but I'm 6'4" (193cm). There's nothing I can do about my height, so why shouldn't I be accommodated with priority for exit rows, or a First Class seat at the Economy price??

As it is, I pay and I don't complain.

What is this "passenger of size" euphemism? The correct word is "fat". I hope that you never have the misfortune to sit next to a fat person. If a person takes 2 seats they should have to pay the full fare for 2 seats.

This should be the industry standard. You use two seats, you pay for two seats.

So…..am I now a person of size?
Seems like every one is “ of size”. Just different ones?

SW will be unable to consistently manage this new seating arrangement (seat was free? where is my refund? seat was not free?) without screwing it up or getting sued, or both.

I have to pay more when my luggage is over a predetermined weight limit. Do the same with people. The average American male weighs 200 lbs and the average American female is 171 lbs. If you weigh more than 10% above those averages, you pay more

To chime in from someone who weighs too much, I am now wearing size 40-something-in-the-waist pants (6'1"). I was 275 lbs. at my last doctor's visit. It started several years ago when a softball knee injury really started bothering me. An orthopedic friend of mine told me that sport injuries tend to turn arthritic when a person gets older. Just great. I became somewhat sedentary at work because of my knee hurting if I walked or stood very long. I also didn't exercise like I should because of the discomfort and became sedentary at home. And the resulting effect? I gained weight. Now, a long time after, I still weigh more than I should and more than I want to unfortunately. I'm trying to get my brain committed to losing weight and exercising anyway but no luck in the commitment area so far.

If I were to fly-haven't flown for a while, I would understand about any inconvenience caused by my expanded waist size [Caution! wide load coming through!]. I'm sure the seats would feel a tighter, and the seat belt 'smaller’ than it used to be. I wouldn't complain or feel entitled though. The weight is my fault, and also any trouble that goes with it. It's my fault I haven't lost weight yet, no matter how hard it might be. I did lose ~58 pounds once before my knee problem flared up, walking 4.5 miles on the track in ~44-46 minutes and eating only 1500 calories a day. So, I know it can be done, even if the circumstances are different. Aside from genetic conditions that make a person obese, if I person weighs too much, they should be prepared to deal with the circumstances that go along with it. I realize there some people who weigh too much because of medical or other issues and that their weight is a genuine issue not entirely of their fault. However, the majority of people that weigh too much just plain eat too much and eat the wrong things. I have seen more than one huge person in a scooter at Walmart or Kroger loading up with snacks and sweets and ice cream and doing a good job of keeping their weight up there. Most people that weigh too much could lose the weight if they wanted to, but they don't. And now, in today's society, it seems to be something other people should deal with, not them. Society is expected to deal with their weight problem, to accommodate them.

I have some sympathy for people who weigh too much but not a whole lot, because I am one of them. And to clarify, I not huge or morbidly obese, just a little fat with a gut and a rear end that is too big. The airlines have to spend money on the fuel to get their aircraft and the weight inside into the air. If they don't charge enough, they can't operate efficiently and can run into serious financial difficulties. If they charge extra for those are really heavy and even had a surcharge for me, so be it. I think the airlines are within their rights to do so. They have to pay for the fuel and are compelled to charge extra for people who are well beyond the 'norm' for weight which results in more fuel being used. I deal with my problems and realize I am responsible for any problems or inconveniences that might arise as a result of my weight. Others should too. Enough of this 'poor, poor me' and 'it's not fair' and things like that. Be an adult and accept responsibility for the problems and inconveniences you have caused for yourself. That's part of being an adult and being mature. If you can't deal with the airlines charging you more for being very heavy or or obese, take a train. I could say more, but I think the point is made. The bottom line is, I am sympathetic to a point, because I am one of those overweight people, but only to a point. I am on the side of the airlines. Sorry for the long rant, but I thought I needed to put things in the proper context.

Applauding Southwest for updating their size policy. Being stuck next to a person of size for a flight is insufferable.

Some people are just big. Shared a flight from Salt Lake to Boise with WWF wrestlers including Andre the Giant. He sat wherever he wanted. I was (and am) 5'4" 140lb.

Given the gross obesity of many Americans, perhaps the airline ought to have FAT seats (double-wides) costing twice that of regular seats.