A Unpopular Opinion~

I’m going to step forward and voice my opinion on something.

I read about some of the airlines charging obese passengers for two tickets due to their size. This has become a huge argument among overweight people. Some of us believe it’s a valid request and others believe it is not. I am one who believes it is a valid request.

I flew home yesterday from NY. It was a very long flight and I made the choice to purchase a second ticket to make my flight more comfortable and to not cause another passenger any discomfort. Being obese is my problem and it shouldn’t become anyone else’s issue.

The seats on airplanes are small, but an average person can sit in them without difficulty. I witnessed this yesterday.

Anyway, I flew with Southwest Airlines, I didn’t need a seat belt extender and the armrest could easily be lowered. Two of the criteria for requiring a second seat purchase. The agent was impressed that I purchased a second seat without being asked. I felt this wasn’t something to be praised for – because to me it’s just common sense. The seats are small, my behind is NOT and if the flight is full, I would be taking up my seat and the seat of another innocent passenger. For me it was a no brainer!

Southwest Airlines was very nice to me. If you purchase two tickets - you are allowed to board first. You place a printed paper on the seat next to you that states - “This seat is reserved” (Southwest Airlines doesn’t have assigned seating) AND if the flight is not overbooked, you will get a refund for the second ticket. I think that’s fair.

Well, here I am still in need of losing about 120lbs - seated with my extra seat next to me and a rather large woman approached me and asked if she could sit there. I told her it was reserved. She asked in a louder more aggressive manner and I at that time, told her absolutely not. I didn’t want to explain everything since there was a long line of passengers behind her waiting to enter the plane and find a seat. I thought in my mind, here I am a large sized person with a larger than average hiney - and here she is larger size with the same if not larger behind - what on earth was she thinking? There would be no way we would both fit in those seats!

It just solidified my opinion that purchasing an extra ticket if you need more space than one seat - makes sense and it is just a considerate thing to do.

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April 16, 2009 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

Comments

2 Responses to “A Unpopular Opinion~”

Sidney on April 19th, 2009 9:03 pm

Hi Dee,
It’s been ages since I was on the lapband website but I check your blog often. You are a woman of incredible wisdom and a willingness to firmly march toward your goals with a careful eye on where you are now. I applaud your decision to be comfortable when you traveled and your consideration of others. What a great achievement to no longer require the seat belt extender and have room to lower the arm rest! Congratulations on all you have accomplished. Sidney
dee on April 22nd, 2009 12:43 am

Sidney,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate you visiting my blog often. This has been quite the journey for me, but one I am very thankful for. I hope my words will help someone, anyone out there who has struggled with a weight issue. It’s not always about reaching the finished line, it’s about what we learn on our way there. Again, thank you so much for your kind comments!
dee~

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