Too Fat to Fly?

[GeeBee]

Given Kevin Smith's recent run-in with Southwest Airlines (http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/15/kevin.smith.southwest/index.html?hpt=T2), what are your thoughts on this? Are there some people who should be grounded due to their weight? Forced to purchase two seats?

I'll jump in with my own thoughts after the ball gets rolling a bit...

[<*)))><]

If you can't fit you can't fly. I honestly don't understand why anyone would be against that.

[GeeBee]

If you can't fit you can't fly. I honestly don't understand why anyone would be against that.

The retort (though not mine) is that that's discrimination.

[<*)))><]

The retort (though not mine) is that that's discrimination.
So then should airlines make every seat big enough so they can fit the worlds fattest man?]

Edit: being politically correct is going to ruin the world.

[live.]

I'm biased because I'm pencil thin with an incredibly fast metabolism. I've spent weeks with overweight kids, eating what they eat and when they eat, and still can't pack on serious weight. Plus, I wasn't even aware that Kevin Smith was that large.

That being said, I still think that if you intrude on a second seat, you should have to buy it. The only solution would be larger seats for larger travelers, but then you're faced with the embarrassment of purchasing such seats (although I'd be pretty embarrassed to have to grab two). Why should the guy next to you have to be uncomfortable because of your size?

[GeeBee]

So then should airlines make every seat big enough so they can fit the worlds fattest man?]

Edit: being politically correct is going to ruin the world.

I'm biased because I'm pencil thin with an incredibly fast metabolism. I've spent weeks with overweight kids, eating what they eat and when they eat, and still can't pack on serious weight. Plus, I wasn't even aware that Kevin Smith was that large.

That being said, I still think that if you intrude on a second seat, you should have to buy it. The only solution would be larger seats for larger travelers, but then you're faced with the embarrassment of purchasing such seats (although I'd be pretty embarrassed to have to grab two). Why should the guy next to you have to be uncomfortable because of your size?

I concur with you both. My apologies to any fatties.

[<*)))><]

I concur with you both. My apologies to any fatties.
http://thepolicedaily.com/images/no-fat-chicks.jpg

[Smeee]

I'm all for charging those who take up more than one seat space for two seats. It's only fair really. I can't see the problem.

[loveisdead]

If you're fat enough that you need two seats, then yes you should be charged for both. I don't think a bigger person that fits in one seat should have to pay more though.

[rosielikesyou]

A person using two seats to accommodate his or her weight takes away a seat for another potential flyer, and consequentially takes away revenue. You use both, you buy both. I don't see the issue here either.

[sleepyseanzzz]

http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2009/12/04/news/photos_stories/cropped/obese_man--300x300.jpg

should have to buy 2 seats

http://www.filmjackets.com/FEATURES/IMAGES/Feature_Dogma-SilentBob-med.jpg

should not have been kicked off the flight

[xshady121]

I don't think airlines should be exempt from ADA.

[cory-182]

If you can't fit you can't fly. I honestly don't understand why anyone would be against that.

Or if you're not willing to purchase a ticket for the seat next to you.

I agree.

[cory-182]

I think everyone here is guilty of weigh-cism.

[MyNameIsRoss]

http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1558961

[GeeBee]

http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1558961

This story has political implications, I assumed it was being discussed elsewhere.

[loudpunkguitar]

i'm a fat guy. and i think if you take up two seats, you pay for two seats. or, work out, eat better, and lose weight so you can fly in one seat.

[bladerdude360]

But Kevin Smith isn't that fat. Not sure that I agree that he was kicked off due to discrimination against his movies, but I don't think they should have kicked him off.

[Andy Young]

I thought this was crazy. Kevin Smith is maybe slightly larger than average but theres no way he's so big that it warranted him being kicked off the flight. But I totally agree on the having to buy an extra seat matter.

[thatwasamoment]

Yeah, the dude grew bigger.

http://www.fatbackmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/kevinsmith.jpg

[Clark]

I love Kevin Smith, but he's not the same size he was during the Silent Bob days:

http://i.imgur.com/UfBNC.jpg


I don't have a problem with Southwest's policy. I don't consider it to be true discrimination; you can stop being fat.

[caveBEAR]

I don't think airlines should be exempt from ADA.

(A serious question) Is obesity considered a disability?





I kind of look at this like I look at my tattoos...I kind of knew what I was getting into before I got the ink, you kind of know what you're getting into when you get the bitch tits.

I know all about being genetically overweight, but I'm gonna need to see some evidence on someone being naturally too large for one airplane seat.

[BadRomance]

Being fat isnt a disability. Period.

My message to Kevin Smith: put down the krispy kremes.

[jwicklun]

I love Kevin Smith, but he's not the same size he was during the Silent Bob days:

http://i.imgur.com/UfBNC.jpg


I don't have a problem with Southwest's policy. I don't consider it to be true discrimination; you can stop being fat.
damn he got huge. but at this point he needs to lose weight. if you cannot fit in a seat, then you should buy 2 seats. and if its too humiliating, at this point, you have no choice but to make better health choices.

[Clark]

You guys need to read what happened. He did buy two seats, but he boarded an earlier flight as a standby passenger (that only had one available seat).

[xshady121]

(A serious question) Is obesity considered a disability?





I kind of look at this like I look at my tattoos...I kind of knew what I was getting into before I got the ink, you kind of know what you're getting into when you get the bitch tits.

I know all about being genetically overweight, but I'm gonna need to see some evidence on someone being naturally too large for one airplane seat.

There are some people who are gentically overweight. There aren't people who are genetically born with tattoos.

[MyNameIsRoss]

not sure i buy the genetic thing. maybe you're more prone to be fat because of your upbringing, but doesn't make it genetic. example; my whole immediate family is obese and i'm thin.

[ghostyouare]

You guys need to read what happened. He did buy two seats, but he boarded an earlier flight as a standby passenger (that only had one available seat).
So what he tried to do was board a flight that would better convenience him but it didn't pan out to convenience the airline but since he paid for two seats on a later flight he's still entitled to two seats on an earlier flight? I don't really see the logic in that.

[Clark]

So what he tried to do was board a flight that would better convenience him but it didn't pan out to convenience the airline but since he paid for two seats on a later flight he's still entitled to two seats on an earlier flight? I don't really see the logic in that.
Your post makes my head hurt.

I was just pointing out the fact that he did buy two tickets. That's all.

[artyinthebank]

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/lostpedia/images/thumb/f/f5/6x01_TakingAdvantage.jpg/800px-6x01_TakingAdvantage.jpg

[saysmydoctor]

I think it's kind of hypocritical for a company to do this and then serve the food they do on the plane.

[TK]

not sure i buy the genetic thing. maybe you're more prone to be fat because of your upbringing, but doesn't make it genetic. example; my whole immediate family is obese and i'm thin.

If you ever study genomics, there's reason to believe that there is in fact a gene that is responsible or at the very least contributes to obesity. Some believe it is leptin, which controls and regulates the body's metabolism and appetite, and that the faulty leptin gene operates the same way in people who suffer from diabetes 2.

[MyNameIsRoss]

If you ever study genomics, there's reason to believe that there is in fact a gene that is responsible or at the very least contributes to obesity. Some believe it is leptin, which controls and regulates the body's metabolism and appetite, and that the faulty leptin gene operates the same way in people who suffer from diabetes 2.

I'll admit I was sort of talking out my ass. Never looked into the research. Fair enough.

[mcongrove]

As a guy who spent a lot of time in the airline industry, I completely agree with Southwest on this one. It's not simply about comfort or crowding the guy in the seat next to you; it's all about safety.

Let's say something terrible happens on the flight. Then let's say a very large man is knocked unconscious. He's blocking the people in the middle and window seats, and if he's sitting in an exit row he's also blocking everyone's escape route.

In fact, as part of their training flight attendants have to be able to lift an "unconscious" man out of an exit row and onto the floor, out of the way, so that people can get through the emergency exits. Have you seen flight attendants? They're not exactly competitors for World's Strongest.

[xshady121]

As a guy who spent a lot of time in the airline industry, I completely agree with Southwest on this one. It's not simply about comfort or crowding the guy in the seat next to you; it's all about safety.

Let's say something terrible happens on the flight. Then let's say a very large man is knocked unconscious. He's blocking the people in the middle and window seats, and if he's sitting in an exit row he's also blocking everyone's escape route.

In fact, as part of their training flight attendants have to be able to lift an "unconscious" man out of an exit row and onto the floor, out of the way, so that people can get through the emergency exits. Have you seen flight attendants? They're not exactly competitors for World's Strongest.


The armrests came down comfortably for him. That is Southwest's "standard of fatness". How do you justify kicking someone off the plane who by their own standard wasn't too fat to fly?

[aloneatlastnj]

while i somewhat believe that the airlines (not just southwest) shouldn't necessarily have to accommodate for people's lifestyle choices, i do believe they should be humane about it.

going to him when he fit in the seat by their standards and practically forced him to leave (because let's be real, with today's paranoia on airplanes causing a scene would put him in handcuffs) wasn't right.

[caveBEAR]

There are some people who are gentically overweight. There aren't people who are genetically born with tattoos.

I know people are born genetically overweight (I think I even mentioned it) but are people genetically that overweight? If someone wanted to tell me it was genetics when they weighed 250 pounds, I'd probably believe them, but can you really get 'two-seat' big genetically?

[aloneatlastnj]

this is a very complicated situation. obesity/being overweight has such a stigma attached to it in this country that many people view it as if it's a disability and demand treatment as such when, in most cases, it's a person's own problem.

then again, being a mode of public transportation, do they have the obligation to accommodate everyone?

i bet shit like this happens all the time, but seeing as it happened to kevin smith: whose movies have achieved cult status, whose twitter account has over a million followers, and has his own personal podcast that is very popular...he has the platform to speak out about it. personally, i don't think there's a wrong or right concerning the issue. i'm more concerned that, regardless of the way southwest or any airline go about it, they're courteous and outright rather than beating around the bush giving half-assed answers regarding the issue. is it your policy? then stick to it; don't cave in to someone who raises his voice.

[Deadbolt23]

Gotta get fit to fly.

[live.]

I think it's kind of hypocritical for a company to do this and then serve the food they do on the plane.

Peanuts, pretzels, and nabisco snacks...

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/inflight.html

[nerdvglc]

I think everyone here is guilty of weigh-cism.
ftw!

[PlacesToGo]

heres the thing, i think part of life is experiencing all kinds of things and people, we cant regulate against everyone for different things and have rules. I go to a concert and am constantly annoyed by annoying people doing annoying shit. I go to a movie and ddeal with the same thing. Planes are transportation for the general public, so you end up with a fat person next to you, nut up and deal with it and then go home and bitch about it. People in america are starting to get pissy about the littlest things.

[PlacesToGo]

As a guy who spent a lot of time in the airline industry, I completely agree with Southwest on this one. It's not simply about comfort or crowding the guy in the seat next to you; it's all about safety.

Let's say something terrible happens on the flight. Then let's say a very large man is knocked unconscious. He's blocking the people in the middle and window seats, and if he's sitting in an exit row he's also blocking everyone's escape route.

In fact, as part of their training flight attendants have to be able to lift an "unconscious" man out of an exit row and onto the floor, out of the way, so that people can get through the emergency exits. Have you seen flight attendants? They're not exactly competitors for World's Strongest.

if they cared so much about the "rule" of carrying unconcious passengers why do they hire strictly people who weigh 130 at most. not speaking to your argument, but your reasons are some bullshit.

[GeeBee]

The armrests came down comfortably for him. That is Southwest's "standard of fatness". How do you justify kicking someone off the plane who by their own standard wasn't too fat to fly?

But he initially purchased 2 seats, thereby acknowledging that he KNEW he was too fat for one seat. Had he not already made that concession by his initial purchase, I'd be on his side.

[mcongrove]

if they cared so much about the "rule" of carrying unconcious passengers why do they hire strictly people who weigh 130 at most. not speaking to your argument, but your reasons are some bullshit.

They can't expect weight lifters to apply for flight attendant slots; they'd never have enough employees. And the reasons are not bullshit; the airline industry is all about regulations and rules (which are engrained from Day 1 of training in any aspect of the industry -- my latest copy of the regulations I personally had to know backwards and forwards was just shy of 1000 pages with small font).

That's why FA candidates have to prove during training that they have the ability to move an incapacitated passenger out of an obstructing position. Go talk to an FA, sit in on their training for a week, or read up on it; you'll see that FA's have a whole hell of a lot more responsibility than anyone gives them credit for.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

"I feel sorry for all the passengers who missed out on a 40-minute monologue exploring Star Wars and oral sex."

[<*)))><]

But he initially purchased 2 seats, thereby acknowledging that he KNEW he was too fat for one seat. Had he not already made that concession by his initial purchase, I'd be on his side.
Yeah I kind of agree he purchased the tickets so why on the other flight didn't they give him two seats like he bought?

[PlacesToGo]

They can't expect weight lifters to apply for flight attendant slots; they'd never have enough employees. And the reasons are not bullshit; the airline industry is all about regulations and rules (which are engrained from Day 1 of training in any aspect of the industry -- my latest copy of the regulations I personally had to know backwards and forwards was just shy of 1000 pages with small font).

That's why FA candidates have to prove during training that they have the ability to move an incapacitated passenger out of an obstructing position. Go talk to an FA, sit in on their training for a week, or read up on it; you'll see that FA's have a whole hell of a lot more responsibility than anyone gives them credit for.

Its pretty clear your involvement in the industry has put you in a position to constantly defend it - which makes you look ridiculous because it is a cluster fuck of an industry - your kidding me if you think that the only possible people that can apply for the job are women and or physically small men, thats a joke. Airlines put emphasis on apperances and cost cutting in all aspects and peoples safety on the back burner a great deal, and their employees having to memorize handbooks doesnt make up for that.

[Echo Park]

im too tall to fly coach- 6'4. Luckily i don't have to

[mcongrove]

Its pretty clear your involvement in the industry has put you in a position to constantly defend it - which makes you look ridiculous because it is a cluster fuck of an industry - your kidding me if you think that the only possible people that can apply for the job are women and or physically small men, thats a joke. Airlines put emphasis on apperances and cost cutting in all aspects and peoples safety on the back burner a great deal, and their employees having to memorize handbooks doesnt make up for that.

Actually I recognized quickly how shitty the industry was becoming and got out of it in '07, but nice try. Your idea that airlines hire flight attendants based on appearances is totally off-base; a certain set of people apply for those positions, just like how most of the pilots are all men with the same haircut. And being small is an inherit quality of FAs because as everyone knows the cabin of an aircraft is not in any way spacious. You won't find a 7'1" guy applying for an FA slot; he'd never be able to move around the cabin.

The airline industry is often a black-box of information on purpose, so before you go spouting off about this stuff remember that you honestly have no idea what's going on.

[HelpMeSleep]

I know this isn't the issue bit I really didn't even think Kevin Smith was that fat compared to most fat people. although the last time I saw him in anything was the Degrassi movie.

[Lueda Alia]

heres the thing, i think part of life is experiencing all kinds of things and people, we cant regulate against everyone for different things and have rules. I go to a concert and am constantly annoyed by annoying people doing annoying shit. I go to a movie and ddeal with the same thing. Planes are transportation for the general public, so you end up with a fat person next to you, nut up and deal with it and then go home and bitch about it. People in america are starting to get pissy about the littlest things.
How often do you fly?

I would personally be extremely uncomfortable if I sat next to someone who was taking up half my seat the entire 7-8 hour flight to Europe. Why should I have to deal with that? It's not like I'm paying $2 for the ticket like I would for any other public transportation. We're talking about hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. I should be able to at least fly comfortably.

[caveBEAR]

How often do you fly?

I would personally be extremely uncomfortable if I sat next to someone who was taking up half my seat the entire 7-8 hour flight to Europe. Why should I have to deal with that? It's not like I'm paying $2 for the ticket like I would for any other public transportation. We're talking about hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. I should be able to at least fly comfortably.

You're not American, your opinion means nothing here.

Talk to me when your country invents planes. (Spoiler alert; you need more than sticks and wax to make it)





...usa...usa...

[Lueda Alia]

You're not American, your opinion means nothing here.

Talk to me when your country invents planes. (Spoiler alert; you need more than sticks and wax to make it)





...usa...usa...
Must be why I can't relate to the obesity issue, too.

My bad!

[caveBEAR]

Must be why I can't relate to the obesity issue, too.

My bad!

HA HA!

Touche, or however you French bastards spell it.

[Lueda Alia]

HA HA!

Touche, or however you French bastards spell it.
It's touché, you dumb yank!

[GeeBee]

Must be why I can't relate to the obesity issue, too.

Most smokin' hot bitches can't...

BAM!

[Lueda Alia]

Most smokin' hot bitches can't...

BAM!
Canadians are hot!

[Alou]

I"d want him kicked off too probably now that I think about it. I want my seat if I payed for it. Lose some damn weight Smith.

[andrewddrum]

haha

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

haha

do you even have the capacity for an opinion?