I am not sure if posting this is just for my own satisfaction or if anyone will ever read it. I sympathize with the gentleman that had this problem and with the airline who now has the PR issue. I also am a routine flyer and I have to sit next to a variety of people with whom I would never normally share personal space. I try to understand, first, how my own actions and behavior might affect others befiore I sit there frustrated over the way that I am being handled by my unwelcome seatmate and the airline which has allowed the unpleasant situation.
Besides the passenger who is "width-challenged", I include the passengers who are hygiene-chalenged and mothers with "lap-babies". I also include the executive who is reading a full newspaper and the hurried traveler with the Big-Mac-and-Fries combo. If any of them asked if I mind if they sit next to me, I would answer differently if I were personally asked than if I responded in a blog. Yes, I mind. If you have to ask if you can emcroach on my space and ruin my trip, why not just avoid doing whatever you are doing that needs my permission? In any case, SWA (and United, Alaska, TED, DELTA, etc., etc.) -- keep the standards of flying at a courteous and respectful level. Prevent discourtesy where you can, but don't be discourteous if you enforce rules and guidelines.
I pay full fare for my seat and I want to sit in it -- with the armrest down.
MIKE
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