02-16-2010
09:37 PM
2 Loves
Each of us deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I did not detect a lack of respect in Linda Rutherford's response to Kevin Smith. I thought SWA was very generous and humble in dealing with Mr. Smith. It is my opinion that SWA is first and foremost trying to fly all of us safely to our destinations. Is it not true that weight on an airplane must be distributed in such a way to make the plane fly optimally? Why have my husband and I been asked by flight attendants if we would mind moving to different seats in order to distribute the total weight on the plane better? Is it because our combined weight is.....295 pounds? Or could it be because there is another human being who is larger than us combined and they don't dare ask that passenger to relocate because it may imply that that passenger's weight is influencing the safety of the rest of us? How often have I flown on any airline and been squeezed by a much larger person next to me? OFTEN! Does it occur to the portion of the population that tips the scales beyond their own good health that their size infringes on my space, on my comfort, on my experience? Why must our culture turn to being a victim? Perhaps Kevin Smith might view his experience on SWA as a chance to reflect on a healthier lifestyle. Can he not frame his experience any way he chooses...apparently he's choosing to be a victim, choosing the spotlight. I applaud SWA for being the only airline that is willing to address the gargantuan issue of fitting everyone on the same size airplanes. People used to be more similar in weight. They are not anymore. Isn't obesity one of our top health care issues? Why can't this issue with Kevin Smith be the catalyst for society getting honest and making some serious lifestyle changes? Wouldn't it be a miracle if people could take some personal responsibilty for their health?! Remember when cigarette smoking was allowed on airplanes? I grew up breathing other people's smoke. I don't have cancer, just a reactive airway. The surgeon general made the dangers of smoking public in 1963 yet how long did it take for the airlines to ban smoking? It took until the latter part of the 20th century to finally allow people to breathe "clean" air on a flight. I wish the airlines would have taken a stand much sooner. What if they had? Would my parents have seen the "light" sooner than 1994? Would my Dad not have needed his 6-way bypass in 1994. Would he not need oxygen now. Would he perhaps still be enjoying life? Maybe those that don't fit between the two arm rests of an economy seat might frame this "news event' as a call to get healthy. Maybe this is a new year. Maybe this is a blessing in disquise. It's all in how we want to frame it. We can choose to be victims or choose life. Southwest Airlines you ROCK and I'll fly you whenever I can. I appreciate your integrity and hope you realize there are many of us who appreciate it when truth trumps political correctness.
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