My Conversation with Kevin Smith

[LindaRutherford]

I had the chance this afternoon to speak directly with director Kevin Smith. I let him know that in my 18 years here at Southwest, I have never dealt with a situation like what has been unfolding in the last 48 hours. I let Kevin know we have refunded his airfare. I told him we made a mistake in trying to board him as a standby passenger and then remove him. And I told him we were sorry.

Now, 48 hours later, after talking to many involved, we know there were several things going on that day and that our Employees were doing their best to get his flight out safely and on time, including finding seats for everyone and trying to accommodate standby passengers. The Captain did not single Kevin out to be removed, but he did ask that the boarding be completed quickly. At that time, our Employees made the decision to remove Kevin after a quick judgment call that he might have needed more than one seat for his comfort and those seated next to him. 

Although I’m not here to debate the decision our Employees made, I can tell you that I for one have learned a lot today. The communication among our Employees was not as sharp as it should have been and, it’s apparent that Southwest could have handled this situation differently. Thanks, Kevin, for your passion around this topic. You were a reasonable guy during our conversation.

Southwest, like most carriers, has a policy to assist passengers who need two seats onboard an aircraft. The policy is an important one for the comfort and safety of all passengers aboard a plane, and we stand by that 25-year-old policy. This has our attention, and we will be reviewing how and when this delicate policy is implemented.

[Alex_P1]

This is a nightmare caused by a series of failures on your part. I agree with Kevin's point, he fit the criteria as told to him. Right there someone else should have stepped in and stopped the bleeding. I think between the previous blog post and this plus everything in between will never have me or people who have a few extra pounds will ever fly a Southwest flight if this the potential treatment we should expect.

[BG1]

SWA must address these overweight issues at the time of ticket booking, not when the customer has already boarded his flight. This would save embarrasment and humiliation as well as time and expenses from both parties. Regardless where the customer is purchasing the ticket e.g. travel agent, at SWA.com or any third party website), he or she should be aware of the size limitations with a clear way to determine if 2 or more tickets need to be purchased

[Anonymous3115]

If Kevin Smith had purchased two seats for his original flight, then he was obviously well aware that he needed two seats for his comfort and for the comfort of the other passengers. I don't understand why he chose to board an earlier flight as a standby passenger when only one seat was available. I know it was humiliating for him to be told by Southwest that he needed to leave the plane, but it was his choice to try boarding even though he could only have one seat instead of the two he had purchased. Also, reading between the lines a bit, I wonder if the passenger next to him may have complained. If so, that's probably why he was asked to leave the flight. And honestly, I think it's unfair for him to expect the passenger next to him to just put up with having less space because he wants to take an early flight.

[Thomas_Paine]

Just curious, is a seat on an airplane a right enshrined in the Constitution? Seems the carrier has the right to make and enforce policy. I'm sympathetic to the "large folks" but too many experiences where they simply do not fit in the seat and no matter what they do are several inches over into my seat--seems that an upfront and consistently applied policy is the fairest approach--most of the "flamers" here have no suggestions for the poor sap who has to spend the entire flight leaning out into the aisle getting whacked by the cart because the other half of their seat is not available to use....

[Anonymous2028]

This is such a discrace. It is the most cruel form of discrimination i have ever seen. If your seats are that close SPREAD THEM OUT!!! Maybe people that are TOO SKINNY should have there own stinking airplane. PEOPLE GROW UP!! God forbid you people gain weight and can't help it, how would you feel.

[Anonymous465]

Until they create policies that make the flight better for everyone, I am also boycotting. While I agree that it is uncomfortable if someone infringes upon your personal space, I think it is far more uncomfortable when someone has either (a) bad hygiene or smells bad or (b) a screaming/crying child. These are two of the worst situations I have come across when on a long flight but apparently larger people are the only concern that this airline has.

[A_SKY_MARSHALL]

LINDA WHAT A LAME EXCUSE FOR AN APPOLOGY~~~! Linda you need to fire SUZZANNE~~~ SHE CLEARLY CARRIED HER PREDJUDICE AND THE ASSUMPTIONS SHE MADE,FROM HER ENCOUNTER WITH MR SMITH EARLIER IN THE WEEK FORWARD AND JUST ASSUMED BECAUSE HE SOMTIMES BUYS MORE THAN ONE SEAT for what ever his reasons -- he must consider himself to be a slow,loathsome, sloppy undisciplined,selfindulgent fat load~~~! after all isn't that what fatty's are(?)~!(SHE THOUGHT) and therefore, in her mind Mr Smith became any easy target~~~ on Sunday in Oakland on the crowded 5:20 to Burbank! ! Hes just not that big ~~~~~ the armrest test~~~! ~~~No seatbelt extention required~~! Smacks of real callousness--and plain old stupidity; and your handeling of this incedent is even worse, far from any kind of reasonable BUSNESSLIKE response~~~ let alone any kind of comittment to service or even simple courtesey Do your homework investigate, reach an informed conclusion, then respond~~~~~~~~~ don't just try and spin this.,It quickly has turned into three day old fish! and your no match for Smith and the truth! Make it right~~~~~`blow her out !!!! and make sure you retrain your people .! Is it still Southworst Airlines?~~~where bags fly free but if your packing a little extra baggae around the middle you run the risk that you could be singled out onsite by the weight nazis' and have to pay twice! or might not fly at all!~~~ ! Travelling soon~~~~~~ will it be withyou?!

[Anonymous2811]

You folks that think the armrest criteria is the ONLY factor when being seated on a SWA aircraft are ignorant of the actual policy. Go to the SWA website and actually READ the policy. Not only does a person need to be able to deploy the armrest, they also must not encroach past it into any passengers space adjacent to them. Trust me, you folks that have a problem with this (read: are obese) are not going to like where this goes. Ultimately, you will force airlines to set criteria, weigh you and measure you and charge you accordingly; perhaps by the pound/dimension. Better yet, PLEASE proceed with your boycott. I encourage you to do so. Why? Because it means that first, you obese folks will be flying other airlines. That's great news because it allows those of us who don't wish to be crowded in the seats we paid for due to your condition. Second, PLEASE take a look at the fares from Burbank to Oakland for SWA with a 21 day advance purchase. SWA is $69-$89 one way, is always on a Boeing 737, the flight is about 45-50 minutes and you don't get charged for two checked bags up to 50 lbs. Now, go try to book the flight on any other airline. The identical flight will cost you $125-$250, will take a LOT more time (American and Alaska airlines fly you to Portland, Oregon, first and their best time is 4.5 hours), you will pay for your bags and you just might get the luxury of flying on a much smaller commuter type aircraft. And so you know, the other airlines have similar policies, but they just don't have the balls to publish them on their website. That's a LOT of food money. Maybe even the entire cost of a gym membership or a trip to a nutritionist or doctor - each time you fly. Kevin had purchased two tickets on his selected flights. He asked the gate attendants to allow him to fly standby on an earlier flight (standby implies it is a full aircraft and the gate attendants cannot guarantee available seating until almost immediately prior to gate departure as they have to compl;ete a head count). Kevin made it onto the aircraft, but it was determined due to his mass and girth, that it might be uncomfortable for adjacent passengers - or possibly a safety issue. The conclusion was to deplane him and allow him to fly on his original flight - or any other flight where more seating might be available. And while you're on the SWA website getting educated about the actual policy - you'll note that if you do purchase two seats and there ends up being enough vacant seats that you wouldn't have been required to purchase one, you receive a refund for the second seat. None of the other airlines do that. So, the next time you want to fly on SWA - purchase the necessary second seat and hope the plane isn't that full. You will receive a refund coupon to present the flight attendant if there are extra seats on the plane. How much easier can that be? Simply acknowledge your condition, plan for it - and if it doesn't inconvenience anyone else on the aircraft, you get your money back! What obese folks are asking for here is the ability to inconvenience others who paid for their seat and that such an accomodation should be made without any consideration on their part, for others on the aircraft. Again, PLEASE boycott SWA. PAY twice as much or more on other airlines, stay longer in transit, enjoying lengthy layovers, your time on turboprops and all the other benefits you will reap due to your "stance". It will be worth it, now that all the "offended" people of size are flying on other airlines, to watch how quickly the respond with published policies like SWA's. AND how quickly passengers of normal size flock to SWA to avoid the cattle rush. which means quicker boarding and deplaning for SWA passengers, lower fuel costs - well, the benefit list just goes on and on. Perhaps Michelle Obama should 'weigh in' on this issue. But as it stands now, those who find this policy "offensive" and threaten to boycott are suffering from an indignation that not only did they foist upon themselves and hope to shoulder on others - but will ultimately benefit SWA and will result in more far reaching accountability for their own obesity due to airlines implementing much more uniform policies regarding obese passengers. Lastly, the DOT has ruled for SWA in every court case surrounding this issue. The law recognizes that when you purchase a ticket to fly on an aircraft - it is interpreted to mean one seat. If you don't want to run the risk of being asked to deplane - then take some responsibility and acknowledge how your obesity will affect other travelers and purchase a second seat. Problem solved. Why insist that the aircrew have to make decisions "on the fly" because you refuse to acknowledge reality and/or are a cheapskate trying to get more than you actually paid for.

[A_SKY_MARSHALL]

LINDA WHAT A LAME EXCUSE FOR AN APPOLOGY~~~! Linda you need to fire SUZZANNE~~~ SHE CLEARLY CARRIED HER PREDJUDICE AND THE ASSUMPTIONS SHE MADE,FROM HER ENCOUNTER WITH MR SMITH EARLIER IN THE WEEK FORWARD AND JUST ASSUMED BECAUSE HE SOMTIMES BUYS MORE THAN ONE SEAT for what ever his reasons -- he must consider himself to be a slow,loathsome, sloppy undisciplined,selfindulgent fat load~~~! after all isn't that what fatty's are(?)~!(SHE THOUGHT) and therefore, in her mind Mr Smith became any easy target~~~ on Sunday in Oakland on the crowded 5:20 to Burbank! ! Hes just not that big ~~~~~ the armrest test~~~! ~~~No seatbelt extention required~~! Smacks of real callousness--and plain old stupidity; and your handeling of this incedent is even worse, far from any kind of reasonable BUSNESSLIKE response~~~ let alone any kind of comittment to service or even simple courtesey Do your homework investigate, reach an informed conclusion, then respond~~~~~~~~~ don't just try and spin this.,It quickly has turned into three day old fish! and your no match for Smith and the truth! Make it right~~~~~`blow her out !!!! and make sure you retrain your people .! Is it still Southworst Airlines?~~~where bags fly free but if your packing a little extra baggae around the middle you run the risk that you could be singled out onsite by the weight nazis' and have to pay twice! or might not fly at all!~~~ ! Travelling soon~~~~~~ will it be withyou?!

[CAT21]

I've read both accounts of the story and whilst this apology is a few steps closer, honestly it does not ring entirely sincere. First of all, I have seen Kevin Smith in person. This is not an individual whose size would make me uncomfortable beside him as an airline passenger. What this blog utterly failed to do was sincerely and clearly state that it was NOT his size that caused him to be removed from the flight, but a myriad of other issues and the fact that he was a standby passenger who had boarded later than others. While I appreciate Southwest's efforts to ensure the comfort of all passengers, wrongfully accusing a customer of being "too fat to fly" rather than OWNING UP to the bump off the flight as being the airline's fault is completely absurd and uncalled for. Until the corporation can admit that it was internal issues that caused the passenger in question to be removed, and ultimately not his size, I will take my travel business elsewhere.

[Anonymous4007]

No one should be asked to get up once they are seated. You treated the man like a criminal and that should not be tolerated by law. This whole topic is disgusting. It's one thing to refuse someone from boarding. To make them leave or move harks to Rosa Parks.

[Anonymous4091]

Southwest has failed miserably with this fiasco. Will it hurt their bottom line? Absolutely not. But Im done with them forever. And I'm not a fatty.

[Chicago_Joe]

I use Southwest out of Midway from time to time. I'm a normal sized person but after hearing both sides of this story, I will never fly your airlines ever again.

[Chicago_Joe]

I use Southwest out of Midway from time to time. I'm a normal sized person but after hearing both sides of this story, I will never fly your airlines ever again.

[Anonymous131]

So if fat people have to pay more to fly and bags are charged overweight fees, do I get to pay less since I only weigh 125 and always pack light? Maybe we should pay for airline seats by weight- I'd be able to afford to travel to see my friends and family more often.

[Tom32]

I am a buisness customer of yours and use you everytime I head to Nashville. I am a larger man and have not had a problem with your flight service at all. However, I must admit that I am now terrified to use my favorite flight service because I might be humiliated by being asked to leave the flight. Let's face it, the majority of people are larger in this country. The majority of seats on a plane are small trying to fit people in like cattle to make more profit. These two meet from time to time and I hope pushing the blame on the customer and asking them to cough up another ticket or get off the plane is not considered the norm. Might be time for a better policy that works for all. I will think twice before opening myself up to the embarrasment of this policy.

[Dani]

Im sorry but if I am paying 200+ bucks for a seat I DONT want the person sitting next to me taking up half my seat. If that is so then i should only pay 100. I want to be just comfortable as the "larger" person sitting next to me.

[Anonymous3216]

Kevins Response: http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=393 Make it 'right'

[mc_love]

Lets cut to the chase... This is a Southwest training issue. The Southwest crew and staff in question reacted to the key words "two seats". They interpreted this to mean that Kevin Smith was (in there own words) a person of size.. . Kevin Smith does not NEED two seats to fly he just booked two seats for privacy sake. Once the crew had pigeonholed Mr smith they felt empowered by the person of size policy to remove him from the plane. in there eyes problem solved. The crew probably felt no responsibility for the incident just like a Nuremberg Defense within the confines of corporate policy. Lets not muddy the waters by the fact that Kevin Smith is a celebrity, his celebrity status only makes the issue news worthy and that's how I found out about it. I'd feel the same way if it was John or Jane Doe (I just probably wouldn't have heard about it). Personally I don't feel comfortable relying on vague interpretations of policy.

[BiggestDiva18]

I do not agree with our "apology". And for anyone who agrees with it are just discrimitaive towards larger people. I mean COMON! The AVERAGE sized US person is around a size 14. So what can you do about that Southwest, in order to accomodate EVERYONE especially in today's world where the econmy is going down the toilet and the people are just gonna grow from here? Idon't know, maybe shell out a litle $$ and *gasp* make BIGGER seats for BIGGER people!!!! What a f***ing concept! That way you can still fly everyone and maybe get some good PR in the works. Shame on you SW. Shame. On. You.

[Anonymous1895]

@Chrissie Nope, thin people don't get any special treatment either. If they pay for something, they should get exactly what they pay for. No more, no less. They buy one seat, they get one seat - the whole thing, no matter who is sitting next to them. Nothing special about that. Personally, you can put me between the two fattest people on the planet, and as long as I still get the space that I paid for, I really don't care.

[Anonymous3675]

Safety first should be the issue ,not being politically correct. Im sorry youre fat, but im tired of "sharing" my payed for seat with those who spill over and take my space.

[Zoe]

Way to go SouthWest Airlines! I am impressed by your willingness to go out of your way to make things better. I appreciate that you not only look out for those who are generously-porportioned, but also for those who may need to sit down next to larger people. Although I do feel for the predicament of many heavy people, I don't see how you can create seats specific for every size. This is indeed a delicate and complicated matter that will take much thought and consideration. Good luck with it! I think you are doing a great job and I will continue fly SouthWest!!

[Anonymous2849]

I've never flown Southwest Airlines before and now I never will. Get your story straight already, Southwest. Many thanks to Kevin Smith for bringing this extremely messed up situation to my attention.

[Anonymous4352]

I made a decision not to fly Southwest Airlines ever again after the attitude I experienced on a recent flight. I am a fat person. I am aware of this, and as such I purchased *two* seats for my flight. The flight was overbooked. I was one hour early for the flight, lined up on time, and was seated on the plane, had on my seatbelt and had both armrests down (although I admit I was slightly uncomfortable with them down and would have probably lifted the arm up once takeoff was completed) when I was approached by a stewardess. She very loudly asked to speak to me because they were "overbooked". Since I had purchased two seats, they wanted to pull me and put me on a later flight so that they could accomodate "two passengers". I PURCHASED two tickets. I told her so, and indicated that--since I had my armrests down--if SW wanted to ask any one of the two passengers out there if they wanted to sit next to me, I would happily give up my extra seat to accommodate them, but I was not going on a later flight (I had a connection to make). There was some back and forth. In the end I was pulled off of the plane and rebooked and told they would not accommodate my desire for two seats on this flight "for the safety and comfort of the other passengers." SW has a well known first come, first served policy when it comes to seating on their flights. I was first. Period. I was pulled so that they could seat two other passengers who were practically late for the flight. I was pulled because SW overbooked. I was pulled because I was fat...plain and simple. They zeroed right in on me. Not a single other passenger onboard and seated on the flight was asked to give up their seat. Not one. I had followed their policy. I had purchased two seats. I was in NO WAY affecting the "safety and comfort" of the other passengers. It's discriminatory, plain and simple.

[Mr__Rogaine]

Kevin Smith is being punished for making iconoclastic movies. The pilot is a religious activist.

[Anonymous2612]

I hope this means some extra training on the part of your employees will be involved. How much do you want to be this isn't the first time it's happened. After reading a lot of these comments, it's very apparent you guys need to re-think a lot of things. Though I won't have to worry about it as I will no longer use your airline.

[Anonymous1732]

The people who are backing this ridiculous 25 year old relic and the degrading treatment of a fellow passenger and humanbeing should hang their heads in shame. Kevin Smith was an unfortunate victim and clearly isn't too fat to fly which Linda was supposed to be making clear in this blog as a way of apologising to the guy and making things right to avoid a lawsuit but obviously Linda is as competant as her colleagues. Southwest you make me sick and I will never fly with your company - EVER.

[cdesja5]

Don't want anyone sharing my seat with me! Too uncomfortable & GROSS to endure for hours for the benefit of someone I know let alone a stranger. It's happened to me twice in the time I've been flying and that was 2 times too many! I say it's simple economics that makes all these overweight passengers complain about not being allowed to fly when they don't fit in their own seat, it can't be because they're considerate of others for sure! Maybe we should all be subsidizing your extra grocery costs too? Your rights end when they infringe on mine.

[Anonymous_Flier]

You still don't really admit that you gave a fake reason, and that he's not to fat too fly. This is a very corporate and cagey apology, why not just admit that people lied to him? I just read his blog about his conversation with you, and it doesn't add up: http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=393

[Anonymous3375]

What they do not tell you in this article is the main reason that Kevin Smith was so angry. The point that made him go into his tirade is thus: On the flight he actually was allowed to board, he did have 2 seats. He was seated by the window, there was an empty space, and then a "stocky" woman was seated on the end. Apparently a SouthWest attendant removed the woman from the plane and told her that she may have to purchase a second seat knowing full well that the nobody would be sitting in the middle seat AT ALL. They pulled the woman off for the sole purpose of humiliating her. I find this absolutely appalling and I will not under any circumstance use SouthWest Airlines again. God forbid they treat people like human beings.

[Kim8]

BRAVO SOUTHWEST!! It shouldn't be all about the FAT guy. It's also about who gets to sit next to him. I'm so happy you have a policy requiring very large people to buy two tickets. Thank you - as a normal sized person, I really appriciate the fact that I won't get squeezed next to a large person. To heck with this guy - I'm going to fly SOuthwest MORE becasue of this incident. Screw him!!

[Anonymous876]

Question, why should someone who is not larger have to SHARE their seat with someone who needs their seat as well as part of yours?

[Anonymous3974]

Epic fail Southwest. Why don't you try interviewing the women who were sitting next to Mr. Smith?

[miles]

I've read many of the comments both positive and negative but the real issue is not clearly being addressed. It's not that he chose to go standby after already purchasing a second seat on another flight, it's that when he went stanby he should have recieved his second seat on that flight as well. The policy is clear and the fact that he can put the armrest down and not need an extender is not the deciding factor. That only meets the safety portion of the policy. The second seat is purchased for his comfort as well as for those around him. It is ALL refunded even if the flight is full to capacity. This is because on any given flight it may be full or it may not be. In fairness to those traveling alone who may not have a "friend" who doesn't mind if they occupy part of their seat. As for the others who say they didn't mind if he sat there, generally they say that at the time and then complain in private that they really did. I've seen these "Customers of size" linger away from their gate in order to avoid anyone mentioning the policy (that they are well aware of) so that when it comes time to line up they can call "foul" in front of others. If they took the time to inquire in private, they would know they will get all their money back and thanked for being proactive. You can't say to someone today is your "lucky"day the flight is not full and say to someone else "sorry you'll have to buy another seat " at the last minute. I've also overheard the employees telling the Customer that they can have that second seat at the same low fare of the original one purchased rather than a full price to make it as easy as possible to meet everyone's needs. He knew what he was doing the whole time but of course the airline will always apologize for any part they played in the situation. KOODOS for doing your best to satisfy ALL Customers equally.

[Anonymous2885]

To be honest, if the airlines would STOP squeezing as many passengers as they can into some seats, maybe larger people wouldn't have such an issue to deal with. The seats are getting smaller and closer together. I blame the airline industry.

[Anonymous2303]

Make bigger effing seats then. the airline industry is so freaking biased.

[Tammy-Orlando__]

Everyone that seems to have a negative comment on the Kevin Smith situation doesn't seem to have the B@%@s to even post your name-you are all anonymous! WHY? Southwest did the right thing, and I agree with the policy. BTW, my name is Tammy, not Anonymous.....

[Anonymous1828]

Thank you SouthWest! Sounds like the employees made a common-sense call with a VERY disturbed and difficult flyer. I wonder how many other airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc. have "wronged" this fellow and felt his public rantings? I am sure the problem is Southwest, those other companies and hundreds of employees... not dear Mr. Smith!!!

[Anonymous4062]

Kudos to SWA for (1) having this policy, and (2) enforcing it. I fly every week and have a few times been seated next to someone who overlaps as much as 6 inches into my already small seat. Uncomfortable and unsafe for all. Sounds like Kevin Smith did the right thing in buying 2 seats, but should have (and perhaps did) emphasize that he needed 2 seats on the standby. SWA made a mistake in allowing him to board if they didn't have 2 seats for him. They've apologized and need to stop apologizing.

[LesBlue]

Here's my question.... I can understand that some people will exceed the size of the seat, and that being of an overly large size in this situation can pose safety and comfort issues. And generally being overly large is the result of lifestyle choices and that is not the airlines fault, so yes, you would have to pay for an extra seat/space. But I have recently flown SW, and even though I do fit into the seat without question, and the seatbelt did up, it was snug. I am a bigger person, but because I have wide hip bones and muscular thighs, not because I am obese. These are things out of my control. I don't have saddlebags, I have really big quads from biking and swimming my whole life. Same with my arms. If one of the SW employees decided randomly that I was too big for the seat even though I pass this completely arbitrary armrest rule (since my waist is smaller than my hips and shoulders), am I getting tossed or made to pay for another seat? Probably not. The Customer of Size policy is geared towards larger people who are fat and make others uncomfortable. Not those of us who are tall or muscular, etc. That is where the problem is. Maybe instead of cramming everyone into a small seat so that they can maximize their profit they could add a little space to the seats to make the comfort of all of their customers their priority.

[Anonymous986]

I honestly have to say that I agree with Southwest on this one. Number one, Kevin Smith was being helped by the airline in the first place by placing him on an earlier flight. At first, I was like, this is messed up, kicking him off of his own flight he payed for. But, as soon as I heard he was being put on a standby flight, I understand the policy. Kevin Smith is just being a baby... However, I must say I haven't been very impressed with the flight attendants that Southwest hires of the 16 or so flights I've flown on them. But, they're a low cost airline, if you want to be treated like a king go fly first class on United... <_<

[Steve_in_AZ]

I applaud Southwest for protecting the normal size person that would of been forced to sit next to this fatty. C'mon fat people..it's not like you just woke up today and suddenly weighed 350 pounds. You know you are fat so, like Richard Simmons did, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! As a normal size adult, I would of been furious if this lard-o and his blubber would of been touching me for the entire flight. That's just plane disgusting and gross. Shame on the rest of you cry babies and leave Southwest alone. Accept it for what it is...an inexpensive, fast and reliable way to get from point A to point B. I bet if United is charging $300 and Southwest is charging $49 I know where you'll be.

[Paula1]

I have always flown on SW air and at one point in my life I was 350 lbs and I needed an extention to close the seat belt. On several occasions I was allowed to move to a vacant part of the plane so I could sit in two seats. Other times the attendent had to help me get the seat rest lowered. At no time was anyone rude, nor was I ever asked to leave the plane. Based on the way Kevin is milking this incident for every ounce of public recognition I suspect that he was rude and there is more to the story than he is admitting. I have lost over 100 lbs and the seats are still smaller than I would like (but then again so are the seats in the local playhouse). I have a solution... since he is so famous... let him fly first class on another airline and buy two seats there. He has always had that choice. I assume he did not use it because two seats on southwest is still cheaper than one on other carriers.

[Tolerant_To_A_P]

Southwest YOU ARE AWESOME! Enough already with apologizing to this attention whore. Glad to hear that so many super-sized people are deciding not to fly Southwest. More room for the rest of us!

[Anonymous11211]

you know what works great? public apologies.

[geans]

It's 2010. Who honestly expects to be comfortable on an airplane anymore? I don't care who I sit next to on a plane because I don't exist in a bubble.

[Anonymous940]

I'm 6'2". I weigh 180 lbs. I have a 34" waist. I run at least 5 miles, 6 days a week. You've lost two customers, because there's no way in hell I will let either myself or my partner fly your cesspool of an airline ever again. I've listened to Kevin Smith's SModcast. I've read your blogs. I've read his blogs. Your handling of this situation has been pathetic. I can not in good conscience continue to support an organization that embraces such horrible and indignant treatment of people.

[Danielle5]

I understand the idea behind this, but who makes these guide lines. How is it determined that someone is to "fat" for one seat? Why are some heavier people singled out and others not? Maybe there needs to be a standard weight and measurement scale that is followed. Then you can line up half of America before their boarded and have them step on a scale and get out the tape and measure them to make sure they do not need a second seat, and I as a smaller size person and my three year old should only be paying for one seat, figuring were small enough to fit in one together..

[Rudy3]

Kevin knows his fat. But he doesn't need 2 seats, he chooses to buy 2 seats cause he's rich. SW seats are just too small. Everyone knows this. Hopefully something like this gets SW to revamp their planes because the planes feel about as old as their 25 year old policy.