It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
(visit the link for the full news article)
A slim passenger was ordered off a crowded plane so that an obese teenager could have two seats.
The 8st woman said she was ‘stunned’ when told to leave the last available seat on a Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Sacramento, in the U.S.
Cabin staff then gave it to an overweight 14-year-old girl who was travelling alone.
Originally posted by Vitchilo
In Canada they've ruled that they CAN'T charge for 2 seats to obese people because it's discriminatory.
Just saying.
Airplanes should make ``special areas`` for obese people... Some of them are basically handicapped...
And this is sad that a 14 years old is already that size...
[edit on 28-7-2010 by Vitchilo]
Originally posted by InvisibleAlbatross
Obese people can indeed be that way due to genetics. We cannot assume that this girl is just lazy and loves junk food. That said, I am baffled that a paying customer could be kicked off the plane. Did she buy her ticket in advance or was she on standby?
The company’s usual policy is to ask passengers to volunteer to give up their seat, but the girl was too embarrassed. ‘Normally, if the passenger were an adult, she would be required to purchase an extra ticket but we did not want to leave the 14-year-old stranded,’ the spokesman added.
In an ironic twist, Southwest Airlines came under fire earlier this year after removing film director Kevin Smith from a flight for being 'too fat'.
Originally posted by LadySkadi
The company’s usual policy is to ask passengers to volunteer to give up their seat, but the girl was too embarrassed. ‘Normally, if the passenger were an adult, she would be required to purchase an extra ticket but we did not want to leave the 14-year-old stranded,’ the spokesman added.
In an ironic twist, Southwest Airlines came under fire earlier this year after removing film director Kevin Smith from a flight for being 'too fat'.
Just more Political Correctness at work...
Though the girl was a minor, apparently without an adult flying with her, so I can see where the airline might choose not to make her purchase another ticket.
Does not excuse the omission of ASKING for volunteers, though. However, I did read in another article that the woman (who did pay full price) was actually flying stand-by on this flight, so 'eh.... bad decisions all around.
Originally posted by The Chez
I'm not sure, but either way, if someone is going to take up two seats, because of a genetic reason or not, they should pay, otherwise everyone else will, and that is not right.
Originally posted by BiGGz
wow, I would have caused the biggest scene, probably would have wound myself up in handcuffs. Or maybe I would have suggested they put the fatty down were all the luggage is, I'm sure there's some room down there
Originally posted by intrepid
Originally posted by The Chez
I'm not sure, but either way, if someone is going to take up two seats, because of a genetic reason or not, they should pay, otherwise everyone else will, and that is not right.
You're assuming a lot here Chez. If she has a thyroid condition, she should be scorned and punished for something beyond her control? Maybe she is a gamer that plays all day and scarfs junk food BUT if she has a thyroid problem there's nothing she can do about it. I don't know if they prescribe meds for someone that young. I'll reserve judgment on this one.
Originally posted by LadySkadi
reply to post by The Chez
Perhaps she was the only one to be flying stand-by on that flight?
Just a thought...
In all, I'm in agreement that two seats (if occupied) should be purchased.
I am not, however, in agreement that a minor should be left alone.
Originally posted by The Chez
I know lots of people with a thyroid problem, both over and under, and they don't need two plane seats, infact they're not even fat! There's a lot of excuses, and 'it's not her fault', but sadly, I don't buy 99% of them.
Originally posted by fatdad
they should make the plane seats bigger anyway, not all people are 10 stone ..