Search Members Help

» Welcome Guest
[ Log In :: Register ]

Page 1 of 212>>

[ Track This Topic :: Email This Topic :: Print this topic ]

reply to topic new topic new poll
Topic: Southwest Airlines< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
 Post Number: 1
Leisher Search for posts by this member.
Top 3%, yo.
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 26651
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,06:22  Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

I can't find the thread, but you all remember how they kicked Kevin Smith off a plane saying he was too fat to fit in the seat and should have bought two?

And just as an FYI, the real story broke that it was someone on the flight crew who started the process of him getting booted and Southwest admits he never should have and fit their criteria for a passenger who only needs one seat.

Point being, they handled it very, very badly.

Well, they're at it again, this time they threw a skinny girl off a plane to make room for a fat one.

I respect, IF true, their goal of not embarrassing the teen, but let's be honest, not explaining to the other girl is bullshit and probably causes more of a scene resulting in all the passengers looking to see who takes the seat of the thrown off woman.

And seriously, a 14 year old girl who needs two seats? WTF? Where the hell are her parents?
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info WEB 
 Post Number: 2
GORDON Search for posts by this member.
90%
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,06:42 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

After having flown from Los Angeles to Detroit in 55% of my seat because of gigantor next to me spilling over the arm rest of his seat, and the flight crew would never make eye contact with me as they slammed into me for 5 hours as I was forced half way into the aisle, I definitely have an opinion about this.

--------------
I don't give a fuck!
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 3
Malcolm Search for posts by this member.
I disagree.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,08:05 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

QUOTE
While saying the airline plans to apologize to the bumped passenger, McInnis said Southwest staff may have acted more swiftly than usual in booting her because the overweight passenger in question was only 14 and they were trying to spare the teen embarrassment.  

Yeah, because I'm sure the kids at her high school haven't said shit.


--------------
Diogenes of Sinope:

"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."

"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."

Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:

"Better dead than smeg."
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 4
Cakedaddy Search for posts by this member.





Group: "Members"
Posts: 6241
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,09:16 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

Had they seated her, she would have complained that the fat girl was taking up half her seat.

I dunno.  I think the airline did what they should have.  After all, the real issue is why is the 14 year old so big?  If the 14 year old had her shit straight, this wouldn't be an issue.

So, the airline can charge one fat person for two seats, not sell the second seat, or cram some one in next to them.  When really, people shouldn't be that big.

Perhaps they should just base all tickets on size and weight.  Include luggage in the equation.
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 5
TPRJones Search for posts by this member.
I saw The Fault in our Stars opening night.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 12384
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,09:45 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(Cakedaddy @ Jul. 27 2010,11:16)
QUOTE
When really, people shouldn't be that big.

Some of those seats are absurdly small.  They aren't made for people with hips or legs.  Or shoulders.

QUOTE
After having flown from Los Angeles to Detroit in 55% of my seat because of gigantor next to me spilling over the arm rest of his seat, and the flight crew would never make eye contact with me as they slammed into me for 5 hours as I was forced half way into the aisle, I definitely have an opinion about this.

I said I was sorry.


--------------
Vidi Perfutui Veni
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 6
Malcolm Search for posts by this member.
I disagree.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,09:53 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

QUOTE
I think the airline did what they should have.  After all, the real issue is why is the 14 year old so big?

Uh, sort of.  If you're looking at it from the perspective of running an airline, you don't care why people are like that, you care that some of them are & you have to find ways to deal with them, be that refusal of service, complete accommodation, or anywhere in between.

QUOTE
Some of those seats are absurdly small.  They aren't made for people with hips or legs.  Or shoulders.

Smaller seats = more seats = more people = more tickets (over)sold = more profit.  While I can't fault them for trying to maximize their cash flow, airlines get to weigh that maximization versus pissing off customers in these scenarios.  Sometimes they piss off customers only peripherally involved.  To be honest, air travel in this country is a fucking joke anyway, so what's one more bit of stupidity?


--------------
Diogenes of Sinope:

"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."

"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."

Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:

"Better dead than smeg."
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 7
Leisher Search for posts by this member.
Top 3%, yo.
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 26651
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,09:59 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

United steals Southwest's thunder.

Remember Customer Service?

QUOTE
After having flown from Los Angeles to Detroit in 55% of my seat because of gigantor next to me spilling over the arm rest of his seat, and the flight crew would never make eye contact with me as they slammed into me for 5 hours as I was forced half way into the aisle, I definitely have an opinion about this.


I've been there. Nothing worse than sitting next to a fat ass on a flight.

I should add that people with bad hygiene are the worst.  

QUOTE
Had they seated her, she would have complained that the fat girl was taking up half her seat.

I dunno.  I think the airline did what they should have.  After all, the real issue is why is the 14 year old so big?  If the 14 year old had her shit straight, this wouldn't be an issue.


I can't agree with your logic there.

The airline was correct in throwing someone off the flight to accommodate someone else's ridiculous needs? No way.

Instead of throwing the innocent woman off the flight, what they should have done is:
1. Pre-sell the larger girl two tickets. Then don't double book those seats.
2. If the girl shows up and sees too big for one seat, kindly and DISCREETLY, ask people in the front of the plane if someone would be willing to give up their seat and fly later. Offer compensation. If you can get someone next to the already open seat to take the offer, great. If not, move someone else around so you get the two empty seats near one another up front. Now seat the girl.
3. Tell the girl she's going to have to wait for the next flight.

All would have been better options than "Fuck over another customer who did nothing wrong except buy a ticket on our airline with the expectation that she would be reserved a seat on that specific flight."

And no, people shouldn't be that big. Apparently, "Big Boned syndrome" is out of control.


Edited by Leisher on Jul. 27 2010,10:00
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info WEB 
 Post Number: 8
Malcolm Search for posts by this member.
I disagree.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,10:10 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(Leisher @ Jul. 27 2010,11:59)
QUOTE
And no, people shouldn't be that big. Apparently, "Big Boned syndrome" is out of control.

Just wait till the universal health care kicks in.

QUOTE
Harte suspects her son may have been intentionally bumped from an overcrowded flight.
"It's a lot easier to have a kid that's not going to say anything than an adult who has a business meeting that's going to scream at you in front of everybody," his mother told the Ottawa Citizen.

The "bumped" theory is vaguely interesting.  The company would be positively crucified in the media if that were found to be true.  I always thought overselling flights was a particularly stupid idea anyhow, though.

QUOTE
United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy told the Ottawa Citizen that the airline apologized for the inconvenience and planned to offer Harte a refund for the child care fee and an undisclosed goodwill gesture.

Forgetting about someone's luggage is an inconvenience.  Good to know you place people on the same level as baggage, assholes.


Edited by Malcolm on Jul. 27 2010,10:10

--------------
Diogenes of Sinope:

"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."

"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."

Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:

"Better dead than smeg."
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 9
GORDON Search for posts by this member.
90%
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,10:33 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(TPRJones @ Jul. 27 2010,12:45)
QUOTE
QUOTE
After having flown from Los Angeles to Detroit in 55% of my seat because of gigantor next to me spilling over the arm rest of his seat, and the flight crew would never make eye contact with me as they slammed into me for 5 hours as I was forced half way into the aisle, I definitely have an opinion about this.

I said I was sorry.

If only he had.  He was in the middle of 3 seats.  I was in the aisle and the little asian chick against the window was smashed up against the bulkhead.  The guy folded his arms on his chest and pretended to sleep the entire 5 hours.  Never moved.  Could have been dead but his fleshed that was smushed against me was still warm.


Edited by GORDON on Jul. 27 2010,10:35

--------------
I don't give a fuck!
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 10
Troy Search for posts by this member.





Group: Privateers
Posts: 3857
Joined: Jun. 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,11:04 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

QUOTE
buy a ticket on our airline with the expectation that she would be reserved a seat on that specific flight


I thought the woman was on stand-by?

I kind of see it as a no-win for the Airline. Either be forced to kick a standby passenger who you have confirmed a seat for, or strand a ridiculously fat 14 year old at the airport.

How the hell does a 14 year old get that big, anyway.
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 11
Leisher Search for posts by this member.
Top 3%, yo.
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 26651
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,11:20 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

How often does a person big enough that they need two seats fly?

If it's often enough, why not throw in a row in the front of the plane with oversized seats? Sure, you lose out on two seats, but you make the bigger folks and the smaller folks happier. Plus, if no big people have booked those seats smaller people might like those seats for the extra space.

Surely the customer relations win is worth the cost of those two seats.
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info WEB 
 Post Number: 12
Malcolm Search for posts by this member.
I disagree.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,12:34 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(Leisher @ Jul. 27 2010,13:20)
QUOTE
If it's often enough, why not throw in a row in the front of the plane with oversized seats? Sure, you lose out on two seats, but you make the bigger folks and the smaller folks happier. Plus, if no big people have booked those seats smaller people might like those seats for the extra space.

Surely the customer relations win is worth the cost of those two seats.

Bingo.  Make guaranteed big-ass capacity seats.  Use if needed.  But that'd cut into their profits, which are allegedly down since ... I dunno, forever, I think.

--------------
Diogenes of Sinope:

"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."

"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."

Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:

"Better dead than smeg."
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 13
GORDON Search for posts by this member.
90%
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,12:38 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(Malcolm @ Jul. 27 2010,15:34)
QUOTE

(Leisher @ Jul. 27 2010,13:20)
QUOTE
If it's often enough, why not throw in a row in the front of the plane with oversized seats? Sure, you lose out on two seats, but you make the bigger folks and the smaller folks happier. Plus, if no big people have booked those seats smaller people might like those seats for the extra space.

Surely the customer relations win is worth the cost of those two seats.

Bingo.  Make guaranteed big-ass capacity seats.  Use if needed.  But that'd cut into their profits, which are allegedly down since ... I dunno, forever, I think.

They already make cargo planes for oversize loads, though.

--------------
I don't give a fuck!
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 14
TPRJones Search for posts by this member.
I saw The Fault in our Stars opening night.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 12384
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,12:49 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

While I can't find an airline that publishes an actual weight limit, it looks like the smallest forced two-seated passengers are weighing in in the 220 to 250 range.  

If that's the case, they might make me get three seats.


Edited by TPRJones on Jul. 27 2010,12:50

--------------
Vidi Perfutui Veni
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 15
TheCatt Search for posts by this member.
Top 2%
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 22951
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,12:50 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

Dude, seriously?

--------------
It's not me, it's someone else.
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 16
Malcolm Search for posts by this member.
I disagree.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,12:55 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(GORDON @ Jul. 27 2010,14:38)
QUOTE

(Malcolm @ Jul. 27 2010,15:34)
QUOTE

(Leisher @ Jul. 27 2010,13:20)
QUOTE
If it's often enough, why not throw in a row in the front of the plane with oversized seats? Sure, you lose out on two seats, but you make the bigger folks and the smaller folks happier. Plus, if no big people have booked those seats smaller people might like those seats for the extra space.

Surely the customer relations win is worth the cost of those two seats.

Bingo.  Make guaranteed big-ass capacity seats.  Use if needed.  But that'd cut into their profits, which are allegedly down since ... I dunno, forever, I think.

They already make cargo planes for oversize loads, though.

Soon as they start flying domestically, everyone's problems will be over.  Can't seem to charter a C-130, though.

--------------
Diogenes of Sinope:

"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."

"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."

Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:

"Better dead than smeg."
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 17
GORDON Search for posts by this member.
90%
Avatar



Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 27 2010,13:45 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(TPRJones @ Jul. 27 2010,15:49)
QUOTE
While I can't find an airline that publishes an actual weight limit, it looks like the smallest forced two-seated passengers are weighing in in the 220 to 250 range.  

If that's the case, they might make me get three seats.

220 isn't big enough for 2 seats.  At my biggest I was 217, and the biggest problem was my shoulders... which were still too wide for a standard seat when I weighed 175.

--------------
I don't give a fuck!
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 18
DoctorChaos Search for posts by this member.
Student of Entropy
Avatar



Group: "Members"
Posts: 1579
Joined: Oct. 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 28 2010,18:51 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(Leisher @ Jul. 27 2010,09:22)
QUOTE
And seriously, a 14 year old girl who needs two seats? WTF? Where the hell are her parents?

She ate them?

--------------
Wadda mean?  Other people can read this?!
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 19
TPRJones Search for posts by this member.
I saw The Fault in our Stars opening night.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 12384
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 29 2010,06:28 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE


(GORDON @ Jul. 27 2010,15:45)
QUOTE
220 isn't big enough for 2 seats.

I agree with you.  Apparently some airlines don't.

--------------
Vidi Perfutui Veni
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
 Post Number: 20
Malcolm Search for posts by this member.
I disagree.
Avatar



Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
PostIcon Posted on: Jul. 29 2010,08:03 Skip to the previous post in this topic.  Ignore posts   QUOTE


(DoctorChaos @ Jul. 28 2010,20:51)
QUOTE

(Leisher @ Jul. 27 2010,09:22)
QUOTE
And seriously, a 14 year old girl who needs two seats? WTF? Where the hell are her parents?

She ate them?

That'd be some Jerry Springer shit right there.

--------------
Diogenes of Sinope:

"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."

"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."

Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:

"Better dead than smeg."
Offline
Top of Page Profile Contact Info 
27 replies since Jul. 27 2010,06:22 < Next Oldest | Next Newest >

[ Track This Topic :: Email This Topic :: Print this topic ]


Page 1 of 212>>
reply to topic new topic new poll

» Quick Reply Southwest Airlines
iB Code Buttons
You are posting as:

Do you wish to enable your signature for this post?
Do you wish to enable emoticons for this post?
Track this topic
View All Emoticons
View iB Code