Discrimination because of a seat belt extender???
I flew to Minneapolis to see friends this week and flew back last night without issue. As always, I had to request a seat belt extender (I cannot WAIT to get sleeved!!!), and as always, the flight attendants were sincerely sweet.
Imagine my surprise when my dad called me and asked if I could check him in for his flight home from Vegas tomorrow. I tried to call him back but couldn't reach him, so I talked to my mom instead. My dad is 6'4" and around 350 lbs. He can usually get the seat belt buckled, but he used an extender on the way out there because the belt felt too tight.
Because of his legs, he and my mom usually pay to upgrade on Continental for "Premium seats" with extra leg room. This also includes the emergency exit seats. I confirmed with my mom that she would be okay in thee seats (she gets air sick and prefers the front of the plane.) My dad got the confirmation email with his seats and called me back. Apparently if you need a seatbelt extender, you cannot sit in the emergency exit? I had never heard this before, as I was offered an emergency seat just last night, and I had a seat belt extender on. (I declined because I was already settled in and with no one in the row ahead of me, I didn't have to worry about losing leg room).
Here is the part that just blows my mind. I searched Continental's entire sit for anything to do with "person of size", "Large passengers" and "emergency exit seating". There is nothing on there stating you cannot use an extender. I called the Customer Service line and was told that the flight attendants had the authority to determine this, but that "larger people are unable to assist in an emergency. Any additional time required to undo their seatbelt and move out of the way could cost lives." Are you SERIOUS??? Because the seatbelts are not made for his waist, he is automatically deemed as unable to assist in an emergency. Things were a little heated for a few minutes as I was in shock while the customer service agent told me that larger people are not as able to assist, and they could not refund th $39/each my dad and mom paid for those upgrades unless the agent determined he was unable to complete emergency duties, in which case they would move my dad to another seat and attempt to get him one with extra room. If no seat was available without extra room, he would get a refund, but my mom would not be moved to sit with him.
I asked if we could change the seats right now and forget about the upgrade. He refused, stating their refund policy does not allow upgrades to be refunded unless the agent determind upon sight that the passenger could not complete the emergency exit requirements.
I called my mom and she will be making sure they are at the airport early to try to get this straightened out, but I am livid. Because your waist is larger than their seatbelt, you are less of a person? I would rather have my dad, who has muscles and could open the door easily assist in an emergency over a skinny but not strong person.
I can understand if he need to buy a second seat, but he fits well within the arm rests. He just needs a little extra room so the seat belt is not cutting into him.
Sorry, I just needed to vent.
Has any one else felt discrimination when you were large? Even outside of travel, what kind of discrimination have you experienced and what did you do about it?
Imagine my surprise when my dad called me and asked if I could check him in for his flight home from Vegas tomorrow. I tried to call him back but couldn't reach him, so I talked to my mom instead. My dad is 6'4" and around 350 lbs. He can usually get the seat belt buckled, but he used an extender on the way out there because the belt felt too tight.
Because of his legs, he and my mom usually pay to upgrade on Continental for "Premium seats" with extra leg room. This also includes the emergency exit seats. I confirmed with my mom that she would be okay in thee seats (she gets air sick and prefers the front of the plane.) My dad got the confirmation email with his seats and called me back. Apparently if you need a seatbelt extender, you cannot sit in the emergency exit? I had never heard this before, as I was offered an emergency seat just last night, and I had a seat belt extender on. (I declined because I was already settled in and with no one in the row ahead of me, I didn't have to worry about losing leg room).
Here is the part that just blows my mind. I searched Continental's entire sit for anything to do with "person of size", "Large passengers" and "emergency exit seating". There is nothing on there stating you cannot use an extender. I called the Customer Service line and was told that the flight attendants had the authority to determine this, but that "larger people are unable to assist in an emergency. Any additional time required to undo their seatbelt and move out of the way could cost lives." Are you SERIOUS??? Because the seatbelts are not made for his waist, he is automatically deemed as unable to assist in an emergency. Things were a little heated for a few minutes as I was in shock while the customer service agent told me that larger people are not as able to assist, and they could not refund th $39/each my dad and mom paid for those upgrades unless the agent determined he was unable to complete emergency duties, in which case they would move my dad to another seat and attempt to get him one with extra room. If no seat was available without extra room, he would get a refund, but my mom would not be moved to sit with him.
I asked if we could change the seats right now and forget about the upgrade. He refused, stating their refund policy does not allow upgrades to be refunded unless the agent determind upon sight that the passenger could not complete the emergency exit requirements.
I called my mom and she will be making sure they are at the airport early to try to get this straightened out, but I am livid. Because your waist is larger than their seatbelt, you are less of a person? I would rather have my dad, who has muscles and could open the door easily assist in an emergency over a skinny but not strong person.
I can understand if he need to buy a second seat, but he fits well within the arm rests. He just needs a little extra room so the seat belt is not cutting into him.
Sorry, I just needed to vent.
Has any one else felt discrimination when you were large? Even outside of travel, what kind of discrimination have you experienced and what did you do about it?
Hi,
I know it is frustrating and it seems disciminatory but the reality is that most (not all) obese people are not as physically fit as your dad might be. Actually the rule would apply for ANY person sitting in an emergency row exit seat skinny or not. If they are not able to perform the duties due to a disability or physically unable to perform the duties necessary in an emergency then they would have to move anyway.
I lived in Europe where the airline seats are even smaller than they are in the US and it was horrible flying. I felt every eye on me when it was time to get on the plane and fit in the seat.
Babs
I know it is frustrating and it seems disciminatory but the reality is that most (not all) obese people are not as physically fit as your dad might be. Actually the rule would apply for ANY person sitting in an emergency row exit seat skinny or not. If they are not able to perform the duties due to a disability or physically unable to perform the duties necessary in an emergency then they would have to move anyway.
I lived in Europe where the airline seats are even smaller than they are in the US and it was horrible flying. I felt every eye on me when it was time to get on the plane and fit in the seat.
Babs
They can't know over the phone why he needs an extender, so I understand them not selling the seat. I have seen many very heavy people who are not, in fact, as equipped to do things quickly in an emergency, so I don't really see what the big deal is since it's a safety concern. He may just need one because he's tall, but the booking agent can't know that. Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear, but I'd rather have a fit person in the emergency seats than someone who is very obese. I just think there is a higher probability that people could get off the plane faster. And it's not because I hate fat people. Strength, mobility and quickness ARE somewhat impaired in many obese people. Sorry.
~ Jennifer ~
I am 5'5" tall. HW / SW / CW / GW : 224 / 216 / 157 / 140
I am 5'5" tall. HW / SW / CW / GW : 224 / 216 / 157 / 140
me too! Isn't the reason most of us are on this site to improve our physical status? wearing the skinny jeans and nice suits is the welcome bonus. But the long and short of it is.... we are not healthy specimens at morbidly obese and beyond BMI's.
discrimination of obese people does exist, but it doesn't mean that there are some just factual realities that also exist.
When the US AIR flight went down in the Hudson this past year and I saw how all folks were able to exit onto the wing of the plane...I secretly wondered...what would have happened to me if I were on that plane? would I have been able to navigate out onto the wing or would it take me so long that I would have to patiently wait to go last? Daunting reality check.
Charlie
discrimination of obese people does exist, but it doesn't mean that there are some just factual realities that also exist.
When the US AIR flight went down in the Hudson this past year and I saw how all folks were able to exit onto the wing of the plane...I secretly wondered...what would have happened to me if I were on that plane? would I have been able to navigate out onto the wing or would it take me so long that I would have to patiently wait to go last? Daunting reality check.
Charlie
I would have to ask for a seat belt extender on certain Airplanes pre-op at 338lbs.
I'm not posting this picture to brag.....or whatever. My hope is that it would be received as motivation.
I know how humiliating it is to ask for the extender especially when your traveling with other people. I've lived it.
This picture was taken a couple weeks ago on a United flight from San Fran to Tokyo. I'm one year out and down to 175lbs.
frisco
I'm not posting this picture to brag.....or whatever. My hope is that it would be received as motivation.
I know how humiliating it is to ask for the extender especially when your traveling with other people. I've lived it.
This picture was taken a couple weeks ago on a United flight from San Fran to Tokyo. I'm one year out and down to 175lbs.
frisco
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