02-20-2010
02:33 AM
4 Loves
I wished I could've been there to see it myself, but Smith stated that he demonstrated to the Southwest employee that asked him to leave the flight that he COULD lower his armrests and even asked the two passengers he was sitting between if he was encroaching on their space (they said 'no' by the way). If the ability to raise and lower the armrests on the passenger's seat is the measure that your company is going by as to whether or not a passenger can safely and comfortably sit in a seat, then why was Smith forced off of this flight when he clearly showed that the armrests could be moved?
As an airline I understand that policies have to be put into place to ensure the total safety of your passengers and crew, but the manner in which you've described this policy in your post seems ludicrous and, as another commentator put it, "arbitrary."
If Southwest truly feels that this policy needs to be kept in place as it has for the past 25 years, then I think one important measure has to be taken. Obesity is in an increasing health concern amongst the population of the US, as we are easily the "fattest" country on Earth, and customers far larger than Mr. Smith (some of whom were on that same packed flight that he was escorted off of) undoubtedly fly Southwest every day. The company needs to make a more earnest attempt to let their customers know BEFORE buying their ticket that people of larger size may need to purchase two tickets and not simply wait for them to board the flight and then address them about the issue in front of the other passengers. DO NOT put this policy in fine print on the ticket; DO NOT ask Southwest employees to mention this to passengers at the gate as they most likely will not be consistent with this; DO NOT continue on as you have been with your enforcement of this rule. Here is what Southwest SHOULD DO: Place a notice that can plainly be seen by all customers at the airport and on your website stating that people with a waist size greater than X inches wide may need to purchase a second ticket for safety reasons. It's either this or abolish the policy altogether, which, to be frank, I would much rather see happen than my suggested alternative.
If you find this suggestion foolish then please bear in mind that American consumers vote with their dollar. When cash exchanges hands that means we, the customers, are favoring your company over your competition. Disappoint, anger, patronize, malign or disregard us and our dollar will never go to you again. We can vote for Jet Blue instead.
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