The idea that only fat people "infringe" on other people's seats is ridiculous. I've taken around 100 flights in my life and have been made uncomfortable by a fat person one time. HOWEVER, I have been made uncomfortable by men with wide shoulders taking up my shoulder space and arm rest, tall men taking up my foot and leg space or reclining their seats into my knees, etc., more times than I can count. Somehow, people understand that it's not okay to kick off men who take up more than their fair share of space due to their size.
What's my point? This is about privilege. Tall people are given leeway, even reseated in nicer seats if possible. I've never, ever heard of a tall person being asked to pay for a second seat or deplane. But for some reason it's okay to mistreat fat people because there are a lot of people who hate someone just because they're fat. Guess what? A person on a plane can no more change their weight then and there than a tall man can change his leg length. How hard is it to retain a seat or two for emergency situations that require an extra seat? That would certainly be a better policy than the one you've got.
Also upsetting is the arbitrary armrest rule. The average american woman is a US size 14. At size 16, a woman is technically too wide-hipped for a seat. Because of this, the policy will disproportionately affect women. You're talking about 40% of women fearing to fly with you, or face humiliation.
Finally, the "safety" issue is ludicrous. How on earth is a fat person any "safer" in two seats than one? That smacks of new-speak to me. Are you not allowing disabled people now either, in case they block other passengers? Old people? People with babies and car seats? Why is it only okay to hate fat people and assume they cause all the problems?
... View more