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Southwest Tightens The Belt On ‘Customer of Size’ Policy
Southwest Airlines had updated its customer of size policy, making it a bit hard for plus size travelers to claim for second seat refunds. (www.gatechecked.com) More...
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175? Well I have never been that heavy but usually I am 150 +- 5-10 lbs. but I know about knee problems. If you drop a bit of wight it might take some stress off that knee…might being the key word. I had surgery on one knee back in the early 80s and it’s bothering my off and on now, mostly in the cold. Hang in there, eat healthy and try to enjoy life as much as you can in spite of your knee.
That was supposed to be 250 +- 5-10 lbs.
Given the gross obesity of many Americans, perhaps the airline ought to have FAT seats (double-wides) costing twice that of regular seats.
Or maybe seats that are 50% wider. That way 2 wide-butt seats would fit in place of 3 regular-butt seats.
They have these wider seats, usually in the front of the aircraft. They are usually marketed as "Business Class" or "First Class". They also come with better food, drinks and a bigger baggage allowance. All of which should appeal to "persons of size".
They should be required to buy first class seats to fly.... Those seats are much larger and more comfortable! When you get the Double Wides flying, that does nothing but makes the flight less safe, especially if they are in an emergency Exit row of which some of them cannot fit through!
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.