02-17-2010
08:13 PM
1 Love
I have flown SW exactly once because of this same policy. Now I am a large woman and as a viewer of the show on A&E I advance purchased 2 seats so that I would be compliant with their policy. Before I even completed check-in there were 2 SW employee's behind me with walkie-talkies calling in a COS (SW's code for overwieght). As I walked up to the counter at the gate, someone pulled me aside abruptly to explain that "for my safety and comfort, I will be required to pay for a second seat but if the flight is not completely full I can apply for a rebate of the amount paid." This is even before I presented my TWO TICKETS for the flight. I thanked the woman for her advice and stated that I will deal with the gate agent. Again at the gate counter, I had the "Customer of Size" rules explained to me before I could present my 2 tickets. Finally we were called to board the plane and as I got on I asked a Flight Attendent for a seat belt extender so I could sit comfortably, before the words were completely out of my mouth the COS rules were explained again!!! Remember, I had already advance purchased my 2 seats to try and avoid this exact turn of events. After this one trip, I decided that I would never fly with SW again. Instead I will pay more "for my 2 seats" on an airline with compassion and understanding.
When I heard what happened with Mr. Smith I was not shocked but after downloading his podcast about the incident I was even more angry that not only did they usethis policy to embarass him, but not even 2 hours later they targeted another young woman on the flight Mr. Smith was taking home and confront her about the second seat issue when the seat in question was already paid for by Mr. Smith! Again a harried staff makes the wrong determination and looses a paying customer.
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