I have experienced Southwest as a thin and obese flyer.
I have been a long time customer of Southwest Airlines. When I was a young man I was average size weight but unfortunately over the years I have gained weight and have to my dismay become obese. I try to work around the weight issues with Southwest by flying the most undesirable flights that are typically not full and therefore I am not typically hassled by the flight attendants. However at times even these flights are full. I cannot tell you the terror and fear I go through wondering if this will be the flight I am thrown off of. I hate it to no end, but unfortunately I have to fly for business and buying an extra seat is on my dime which I refuse to do for business trips. I do however always pay full business class fees for my tickets which typically are two to three times the internet rates for the same seat. I of course never fly standby. I couldn't handle the faces of the passengers as I headed for that last middle seat.
Another problem airlines must never think about. Big people don't fit in the airplane toilets. Unless the front one by the pilots is bigger then the rear. If a big guy gets stomach flu in route their is going to a bad mess to clean up. That provides even more traveling issues for the big man. I cant understand how you can have provisions for handicapped people flying but not provide a washroom they and the bigger person can use. Its not just fat guys, my son is 6' 6" 325 lbs he is not fat looking and can just squeeze into your seats, but he doesn't fit in the washrooms either.
The major problem with airlines and Southwest in general is the 17" seat issue, they were uncomfortable when I was thin and are horrible, not to mention painful now. An enjoyable flight is impossible these days regardless of size. Between security lines and searches, over booking and babies always crying and flight attendants who act like the passengers are their enemies makes the whole experience terrible. Its like paying for aggravation and pain and airlines wonder why people are not flying as much these days. On vacations, though I have the money to fly my entire family I rent a car and drive to my destinations because flying is such a pain in the ass. Also does Southwest save money by always being at the last gate in the airport??? The long walk to the terminal adds to the headache of using Southwest.
Why do the flight attendants make you push down the arm rest on both sides when the seat next to you is empty. Safety is pure bull, the armrests are more of a hindrance during an emergency evacuation then any type of help? Why to they have to be nasty about it? Those arm rests are a useless pain in the ass most people push them up out of the way regardless of their size. Get rid of them so people can get in out of the dam three seat rows easily.
I have to say that not all flight attendants treat us big guys badly. Some go out of their way to be nice and treat me like every one else and are nice about the arm rest issues and seat belt extensions.
I am currently on a diet for health reasons not because of flying issues. I doubt anyone of any consequence will read this but this my feelings toward this issue as a thin and now obese southwest customer.
There are obese people in our society we need provide accessibility for them as we do for anyone else who has a physical characteristic that makes them not fit in the 5' 10" 180 lbs. no impairment person image. For all you folks without a weight problem just thank God you don't and try to treat us big folks like any other person.
Dave Polensky
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