Just like with smoking twenty years ago, the American public has grown weary of the impact from tolerating people who are clearly oblivious, disdainful or apathetic to their impact on the safety, comfort and health of others. Mr. Smith's selfishness is only trumped by his vanity. Its not about you Kevin, or even the poor customer who had to sit next to you.
As a frequent flyer, I can tell you that fitting in between the armrests isn't the litmus test here. Just because your hips will squeeze into a 17" wide seat doesn't mean the rest of your person isn't crowding into my space. I've sat next to obese folks (middle seat no less) where their hip and abdomen flab extend well over and past the armrests. Men's shoulders are often much wider, and don't forget the biceps resting on the chest flab experience. Try this test next time: if another person your size sat in the seat next to you, would you both fit comfortably? Could you both exit the row quickly in the event of an emergency?
That airplane you are riding in? It is a 600mph guided missle. In the rare event of a "forced landing" most of us don't want to be crushed by you as you stomp past us on the way to the door. Or having to climb over your inert mass blocking the aisles. It's a safety issue here too folks. Should one person's convenience threaten the safety and comfort of others? Southwest courageously has said no - they are only the vanguard here, I'm sure soon not to be the exception. A number of people screamed and howled 20+ years ago about the injustice when smoking was finally banned on flights. Do you miss the smokers? Your flights are less expensive and safer because they are banned.
Obese people, you have many travel options and you are not entitled to the seat next to me any more than two skinny children are entitled to fly in one seat for the same price because they fit. Buy the second seat, go first class, fly another flight or another airline. But enough of this selfish whining and entitlement. The discrimination here is for very good reasons - the safety and comfort of other passengers. Grow up and start caring about the person in the seat next to you - they might just save your life one day 🙂
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