Thin flier: Southwest booted me for overweight teen

[Bigoober]

No kidding. If this was something that had been developing over a few generations, I might just be inclined to listen. Since this problem has just picked up over the last "generation", I have to bias my attitude off of the lack of control over eating a proper diet.

I guess it is my turn after being "ridiculed" as a kid for being skinny. Every dog has its day.

 

[FlyingPieceOfSt]

Genes only contribute so much. If you take in less calories than you burn, you will lose weight, period, especially if you eat "real" food instead of over-processed crap . . . . and quit drinking a beverages with high-fructose corn syrup!

It's not that complicated, but it takes some self-discipline. If you eat fresh fruit, vegetables and lean meat you may not be thin, but you sure won't be waddling through the concourses, sweaty and out of breath, and spilling over the armrests of your seat.

Also avoid diet drinks with Aspartame! You could actually stir up new ailments trying to stay/get lean.

 

[Ty Webb]

Also avoid diet drinks with Aspartame! You could actually stir up new ailments trying to stay/get lean.

Yep. I read somewhere that aspartame makes laboratory mice listen to disco music. :laugh:

 

[Ad Lib]

There are plenty of obese vegetarians. If there is any credence to the theory of evolution, then it must also be ackowledged that changes in diet over generations could lead to permanent genetic changes as well.

We, as a society, demand that those obese individuals perform above and beyond what so-called "normal" people do, just to conform to that same subjective "normal" body shape. One person can only avoid ridicule and discrimination so long as they spend 2 hours daily at the gym, while someone else without the genetic predisposition to obesity can sit in front of a computer and make fat jokes for 12 hours a day without gaining an ounce.

The real shock is not that there are a growing number of obese, but that we give tacit approval to bashing them without consequence as a way of openly venting a prejudice against folks without being called racist. Those who can't get away with using the "N-word" in civil society anymore can turn their venom toward the fat girl and everybody gets a laugh.

Bet she has more Chins than China Town.

 

[Kalifornia]

There are plenty of obese vegetarians. If there is any credence to the theory of evolution, then it must also be ackowledged that changes in diet over generations could lead to permanent genetic changes as well.

We, as a society, demand that those obese individuals perform above and beyond what so-called "normal" people do, just to conform to that same subjective "normal" body shape. One person can only avoid ridicule and discrimination so long as they spend 2 hours daily at the gym, while someone else without the genetic predisposition to obesity can sit in front of a computer and make fat jokes for 12 hours a day without gaining an ounce.

The real shock is not that there are a growing number of obese, but that we give tacit approval to bashing them without consequence as a way of openly venting a prejudice against folks without being called racist. Those who can't get away with using the "N-word" in civil society anymore can turn their venom toward the fat girl and everybody gets a laugh.

You gotta be kidding me?! Though I agree going venomous is not a quality trait, acceptance of this condition is not the way to go either. It's impossible not to personally know multiple people with such condition and upon observing family, friends, and acquaintances who are overweight/obese and even my self for once being 15 pounds overweight, I can say that it comes down to inactivity/lack of health of health knowledge/laziness/addiction/lack of willpower or lack of caring.

As someone else mentioned, Diet Coke is not a solution.

 

[shootr]

I am normally a tolerant, forgiving, and equal opportunity kind of a guy. With that said, it ain't your genes, Fatty. Put down the burger and soda.

 

[bigtexpilot]

I think the thin one was a non-rev.

 

[b82rez]

I think the thin one was a non-rev.

Do you think that because you didn't read the article?

 

[Whataburger]

Ever since that 80 yr old lady burned her cooch at Micky D's, this country has gone to hell in a hand basket!!

 

[Bad-Andy]

So let me get this straight... The fat guy bought two seats (in advance), to ensure he was in compliance with Southwest's "size" policy. The skinny bi-atch walked up at the last minute and paid extra to stand-by for an earlier flight. The flight went full (every seat paid for) and she's upset that she didn't get on. Would she have been calling the media to whine if the "spare" seat had been a young couple with a baby in a car seat (that they paid for)?

I say way to go Southwest!!! (no sarcasm intended...). You guys that are slamming SW crack me up. The guy knew he was "oversized" and did the right thing -- bought 2 seats. I can see being upset had she been bumped because he spilled into a second seat without paying for it. But, he paid for the second seat. Plain and simple. It was his. Period.

As for the weight loss thing, it is all, 100%, absolutely, totally lifestyle. Period. The genetics argument is crap. It is a cop-out. My parents are heavy. I was heavy (388 to be exact). Now, I ain't heavy (172-175 to be exact, and kept it off for the last 2 years). I eat healthy and get my lazy rear end to the gym for a 3-4 mile run 3 days a week. As someone said, it is simple -- more calories in than out, you gain weight. More calories out than in, you lose weight. It can be done. It just takes work, discipline, and a good support network (and no fast-food or soda -- diet or regular, as those are the death of American society).

 

[Bad-Andy]

Ever since that 80 yr old lady burned her cooch at Micky D's, this country has gone to hell in a hand basket!!

Whataburger,

That statement could be revised to say that ever since Micky D's opened, this country has gone to hell in a hand basket!!

Everyone knows that there is only one "good" burger joint -- In 'n Out

 

[P38JLightning]

This thread is worthless without pics.

 

[Ty Webb]

My parents are heavy. I was heavy (388 to be exact). Now, I ain't heavy (172-175 to be exact, and kept it off for the last 2 years). I eat healthy and get my lazy rear end to the gym for a 3-4 mile run 3 days a week.

Wow! That is awesome, absolutely awesome! Congrats to you, and I mean that sincerely.

 

[Erlanger]

This problem is only going to get worst as Americans get fatter and fatter. I even wonder how some of our fellow fat-ass pilots pass their medicals.

 

[Indy refugee]

So let me get this straight... The fat guy bought two seats (in advance), to ensure he was in compliance with Southwest's "size" policy. The skinny bi-atch walked up at the last minute and paid extra to stand-by for an earlier flight. The flight went full (every seat paid for) and she's upset that she didn't get on. Would she have been calling the media to whine if the "spare" seat had been a young couple with a baby in a car seat (that they paid for)?

I say way to go Southwest!!! (no sarcasm intended...). You guys that are slamming SW crack me up. The guy knew he was "oversized" and did the right thing -- bought 2 seats. I can see being upset had she been bumped because he spilled into a second seat without paying for it. But, he paid for the second seat. Plain and simple. It was his. Period.

As for the weight loss thing, it is all, 100%, absolutely, totally lifestyle. Period. The genetics argument is crap. It is a cop-out. My parents are heavy. I was heavy (388 to be exact). Now, I ain't heavy (172-175 to be exact, and kept it off for the last 2 years). I eat healthy and get my lazy rear end to the gym for a 3-4 mile run 3 days a week. As someone said, it is simple -- more calories in than out, you gain weight. More calories out than in, you lose weight. It can be done. It just takes work, discipline, and a good support network (and no fast-food or soda -- diet or regular, as those are the death of American society).

Read it again. The 14 yr old DIDN'T buy 2 seats, but the agents decided to give her a second seat without charging her in order to not strand her.

The skinny chick was standing-by for an earlier flight. Most likely the agents pax count indicated they had a seat for the revenue standby, so they sent her down. Upon reaching the aircraft, they realized that the only open seat was partially occupied by the POS teanager. They decided to not seat the standby. I think they did the right thing.