SWA- Bags Fly Free But Fat Guys Pay Double

[Hose A. Jiminez]

How about a 7 foot guy? Does he have to buy the seat in front of him because that person can't recline?

Of course WN won't put up a notice on their website that details the seat size and encourages someone to fly another airline, do they. They take their money first, then decide if they feel like taking the person.

In this instance the guy was willing to buy the second seat, but WN said they couldn't take a credit card purchase over the phone. And then the guy gave WN more money to fly him home! Doesn't he get it? WN doesn't "his type" flying. They made that clear a number of times in this story alone.

A person over a certain weight can be covered by the American With Disabilities Act. Airlines carry on board wheelchairs. Why not make an accomodation for large passengers with a number of oversize seats?

They DO make accommodations for fat guys. A whole extra seat. But its not free, why would it be?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Homie needs to lay off the fried chitterlings and all be a-okay!

 

[CA1900]

Of course WN won't put up a notice on their website that details the seat size ...

You mean like this:
http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/extra_seat_policy_faq.html

The armrest is the definitive gauge for a Customer of size. It serves as the boundary between seats and measures 17 inches in width. Customers who are unable to lower both armrests and/or who encroach upon any portion of the adjacent seat should proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel.

The size of an airline seat is not a big secret, and has not magically shrunk over the years. That 737-300 seated six across when it was delivered in 1981, and it still seats six across now.

 

[scoreboardII]

Why not make an accomodation for large passengers with a number of oversize seats?

Sure, American and United call those seats "first class" and charge $1,500 one way.

Next time you go to a movie theatre, look around, see any "elephants" trying to take a seat? See any "larger seats"? No, you don't. They don't so they stay home.

By the way, being overweight is not an ADA actionable item.

 

[Bringupthebird]

You mean like this:
http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/extra_seat_policy_faq.html


The size of an airline seat is not a big secret, and has not magically shrunk over the years. That 737-300 seated six across when it was delivered in 1981, and it still seats six across now.

No, I meant this

Why isn't this information referenced on reservations pages of your web site, or questioned by Reservations Agents?
We estimate that the Extra Seat policy affects far less than half a percent of our Customers, and ultimately, it is the responsibility of a Customer with a unique and unusual need to communicate with us upfront so that we may best serve him/her and all others onboard. We won't know of an unusual need unless the Customer tells us.

Basically they want your money first and then deny you boarding at the gate. And even if you do play their game, yet show up late (say due to a late connection) your "extra seat" may not be next to you anyhow.

It's best to buy 134 seats, just to make sure!

A "person of size" should be accomodated just as any other passenger would be once they are on the flight. If a minor is found in an exit row, for example, passengers are asked to move.

If a passengers size makes them a hazard to evacuating the aircraft, perhaps they really shouldn't be allowed to fly at all if their BandC seats put passenger in A at risk. That's a valid excuse. But selling somebody a seat without telling them upfront that they may actually need to buy 2 is deceptive.

 

[ivauir]

But selling somebody a seat without telling them upfront that they may actually need to buy 2 is deceptive.

Yeah, maybe our website needs the ability to tell if someone is fat based on their IP address and charge their tickets accordingly ...

 

[Whataburger]

I don't see the problem here. If you take up two seats, you pay for two seats. If I buy one hotdog at the gas station, I pay for one hotdog. If I buy two hotdogs at the gas station, I pay for two. Passenger seats are no different.

 

[Abernathy]

A "person of size" should be accomodated just as any other passenger would be once they are on the flight. If a minor is found in an exit row, for example, passengers are asked to move.

Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to get married and be able to adopt kids!

 

[GuppyWN]

No, I meant this


Basically they want your money first and then deny you boarding at the gate. And even if you do play their game, yet show up late (say due to a late connection) your "extra seat" may not be next to you anyhow.

It's best to buy 134 seats, just to make sure!

A "person of size" should be accomodated just as any other passenger would be once they are on the flight. If a minor is found in an exit row, for example, passengers are asked to move.

If a passengers size makes them a hazard to evacuating the aircraft, perhaps they really shouldn't be allowed to fly at all if their BandC seats put passenger in A at risk. That's a valid excuse. But selling somebody a seat without telling them upfront that they may actually need to buy 2 is deceptive.

Are you serious? Who do you fly for? I will GUARANTEE you that WN's policiy is more liberal than your airlines.

GUARANTEED.

Gup

 

[Abernathy]

A "person of size" should be accomodated just as any other passenger would be once they are on the flight. If a minor is found in an exit row, for example, passengers are asked to move.

We'll get to accomodating and bending over backwards for fat people after we get around to accomodating people with real diseases like Cancer or troops coming home from war.

Your analogy to the minor is meaningless. The minor is moved to another seat...which they are likely to be able to fit in without any complications. Your argument keeps failing because accomodations already exist for the self-control-challenged. It was already mentioned above that first class seats are readily available. Want the bigger seat? Be prepared to pay for it. Don't expect society to pick up your slack.

 

[canyonblue]

But selling somebody a seat without telling them upfront that they may actually need to buy 2 is deceptive.

This comment makes absolutely no freaking sense. The FAA also says you cannot carry drunks, does your airline say that upfront? Common sense dictates if you can't fit into one seat on an airplane, you need to buy another. You buy one seat for a flight, if you need more than that you will have to pay for it. Is that so hard to comprehend? I swear, sometimes I wonder how some people on this forum passed flight training.

 

[slaquer5]

How about a 7 foot guy? Does he have to buy the seat in front of him because that person can't recline?


A person over a certain weight can be covered by the American With Disabilities Act. Airlines carry on board wheelchairs. Why not make an accomodation for large passengers with a number of oversize seats?

Good idea, call them. Oh, never mind about that call. SWA went through all the appeal court process on this and won ever one. This is all very old news . (about 15 years old)