makes it uncomfortable for the passengers who have to sit next to them

Southwest, the budget American airline is facing the wrath of yet another overweight passenger who was told to buy an extra seat to get on the plane. Ms.Kenlie Tiggeman is furious with them especially as she says that she has already lost 120lb. in weight over the last two years.

Ms. Tiggeman said that her mother and her had been approached by a Southwest employee about their weight and told that they were too fat to fly. When questioned the employee was unable to tell them what the weight restrictions were but just that they were too big.

In fact, the Southwest policy for overweight passengers is that they have to be able to fit between the armrests which are 17in. across. Ms. Tiggeman said the employee had asked them a lot of personal questions about what size clothes they wore and what weight they were in front of many of the other passengers compounding the embarrassment and humiliation.

The employee tried to organize a deal for the women with the proposal that they sat with a third overweight woman who they did not know, but they were having none of it. It was only when a supervisor intervened that the women were allowed on the flight, given extra flights vouchers and even an apology.

It may have been that the plane was not full up after all and therefore there were extra seats available. In any case this incident highlights the problems that overweight people face when traveling by air.

At Ukmedix News we greatly sympathize with these overweight individuals but it should always be remembered that the reason why airlines discriminate against them is not because they are trying to save on fuel costs, or even for safety reasons but purely because their big size makes it uncomfortable for the passengers who have to sit next to them.

Yes, airlines should be very sensitive to overweight passengers, but don't forget that they only ask you to purchase two seats because of the complaints of other passengers.