Buy the extra seat
via cheapostay.wordpress.comPREFACE : As someone who does not fly daily, weekly or even monthly, I don’t have the experiences of flying next to one of our larger persons. But there have been times when I have been next to those that barely get into the seats or down the aisle. So on with the story. Also I believe that the airlines need to make the seats bigger because as a society we are bigger and not just fat. I'm nearly 6 foot 4 and 220lbs. I fit in the seats, but my legs are wrapped around my ears.
NOTE : I’m not a Kevin Smith Fan.
As we saw earlier this month, Kevin Smith of Clerks and Silent Bob fame, got the boot from a Southwest Air flight from Oakland to LA. The big buzz was how he went about telling everyone about his treatment. In this case, he turned to twitter and his millions of followers.
The story started as he was booted for being a fatty. Well as the story evolved, that may have not been the case. It is starting to look like Southwest Air may have screwed the whole situation. Kevin Smith posted the story to his blog.
Now this situation really brought to light the obese situation when flying. Many airlines have started charging/forcing the larger customers to purchase an extra seat. United Airlines and SouthWest Air are just two that have implemented such a policy.
Now, some may not agree with these policies, but I do. This is not just a tax on the obese, but it is a safety issue. Imagine you are in a window seat of a three seat row. The person next to you is of normal size and the obese person is in the aisle. Do you think they can get out of that seat in a timely manner to escape the plane? Do you think that their issue may prevent you from leaving the plane quickly? What if they were in the exit seat, can they handle the situation? I’m not going to answer those, but those are the questions that should be asked.
Will this extra seat help any of those issue, maybe not. But it will give a little extra room to maneuver on the way out. This goes along with the exit aisle, those that can not do the job, are asked to move. So if you can’t move in the seat to open the door, you need to move.
When it comes to the price of the extra seat, I do not think a full price seat should be charged. I feel the proper value would be 1/2 price of the seat that they purchased.
My understanding of airplanes, weight is a critical issue. They are balanced. Do I think one person will make a difference, no. But the airplane is set based on a standard weigh of passengers. This goes towards the maximum takeoff weight. So there a single person could make a difference.
So I leave it up to you to decide. Remember if you don’t like a policy, act with your wallet.
Kevin Smith, Obese, Southwest Air, Twitter, United Airlines | in Blog, Social Media, Travel 
Reader Comments (3)
I don't think it's any different than handicapped persons flying. They would not be able to get out of an aisle seat any quicker and would most likely hinder passengers quick exit in case of an emergency, so lets charge them double too.
@shannonbb the flights I have been on, those in wheelchairs or otherwise
unable to perform sit in areas that would not hinder exit. Such as front row
by the bulkhead as there is extra foot space there.
Also they do not take up 2 seats nor do they appear to restrict access to
the aisle or other seats.
Thanks for your input.
I am not a million miler, but I a damn close. Not only should the obese have to pay extra, but those that are forced to "share" a portion of their paid for space should be entitled to a refund.
I do not seek to infringe on the rights of the obese, or any handicap. I do, however, want the product I have purchased to remain the product that I purchased. The obese have no right that exceeds mine. They are not entitled to a third of my seat.
I know this sounds cold, but it is just.