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Lots of press about United's crackdown on big people. A fat lady interviewed on TV was outraged.
But it actually seems like a good opportunity if you're a bit hefty. First find out if the flight is full. If not full, tell them you're fat and it seems as if they'll put an empty seat next to you.
But it actually seems like a good opportunity if you're a bit hefty. First find out if the flight is full. If not full, tell them you're fat and it seems as if they'll put an empty seat next to you.
April 15 (Bloomberg) -- United Airlines, the third-largest U.S. carrier, may force some obese travelers to buy a second seat when flights are full and other passengers complain about being cramped.
The policy brings practices at UAL Corp.€™s United in line with those at the other five biggest U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines Inc. The rule took effect today after being adopted in January, said Robin Urbanski, a United spokeswoman.
United passengers previously €œhad to share their seat with the oversized guest€ on full planes, Urbanski said. Chicago- based United acted after receiving €œhundreds€ of public complaints each year, she said.
€œIt€™s going to perpetuate that negative stigma that€™s already associated with obesity,€ said James Zervios, a spokesman for the Obesity Action Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group in Tampa, Florida. Airline seats already €œcould use a few extra inches of room on all sides,€ he said.
Urbanski said obese passengers on United will be reassigned to a pair of empty seats and won€™t be charged for an extra ticket on flights that aren€™t full. Travelers must be able to put the arm rest between seats down to its normal position and buckle a seat belt with one extension belt, she said.
The policy brings practices at UAL Corp.€™s United in line with those at the other five biggest U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines Inc. The rule took effect today after being adopted in January, said Robin Urbanski, a United spokeswoman.
United passengers previously €œhad to share their seat with the oversized guest€ on full planes, Urbanski said. Chicago- based United acted after receiving €œhundreds€ of public complaints each year, she said.
€œIt€™s going to perpetuate that negative stigma that€™s already associated with obesity,€ said James Zervios, a spokesman for the Obesity Action Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group in Tampa, Florida. Airline seats already €œcould use a few extra inches of room on all sides,€ he said.
Urbanski said obese passengers on United will be reassigned to a pair of empty seats and won€™t be charged for an extra ticket on flights that aren€™t full. Travelers must be able to put the arm rest between seats down to its normal position and buckle a seat belt with one extension belt, she said.
what? no alcohol? you're kidding, right? 
I recently heard about the new policy on UAL. You know many airlines have had this same policy for years most notably Southwest. If I find myself in a position dealing with a POS (person of size if that aint PC claptrap I dont know what is) I will always elect to "punt" i.e have Customer Service (this is their domain anyway) or if need be get the Captain involved. Usually, when you are dealt a sticky situation as a cabin staff member, it a good idea to involve the Big Kahuna (no not Ray but the guy at the controls). They can do what they see fit...................
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