So Humiliated...

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Sorry. We will have to agree to disagree. I'm not really into this trend of calling bad behavior "bullying", "fat shaming", etc. I do think there are obvious examples of it, but sometimes people are just ignorant asshats, no label needed.

[QueenA 122]

Thanks for all the support.

The crappy part was I just for out of OKC on the same airline with no issues. Same seat assignment even (I always select a window so I'm only crowding one person). And this happened in the terminal, before we even boarded the plane! It wasn't the stewardess, it was one of the ticket attendants at the gate. She literally walked over to me, asked what flight I was on then asked if I could come with her. I'm writing a complaint letter. I could understand if the person seated by me complained, they didn't by the way. But this was before I'd even gotten on the plane.

So glad you are writing a complaint letter. Totally unacceptable from anyone representing that airline. Pure prejudice!

[finediva 979]

@@The Candidate. You rock!!

[The Candidate 3,215]

Thank you @@finediva! So do you!

[auntjanny 289]

But, if I am too big to fit into one seat and encroach upon another passenger's space, it is my responsibility to be pro active, and considerate of other people and consider flying the airlines with larger seats for purchase or by purchasing an additional seat.

[finediva 979]

Bullying and fat shaming is not a trend. 40 years ago I was bullied because of my weight, and I now know I was subject to fat shaming. Yes, fat shaming. At 12 yrs old a teacher tried to make me feel ashamed that I was fat. It worked. I felt ashamed and still do. Not a trend. Reality.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Sorry you had to go through that. We've all been there. The first time I flew since losing weight was a wildly different (positive) experience, and you have that to look forward to!

I think the truth of the matter is that most airline seats do not accommodate many people who are overweight. I'm not a pilot, but it seems to me that flying a plane requires you to monitor and know the weight that's on the plane, and they certainly charge more for increased weight - think baggage fees. I think they make those plane seats that size on purpose - to restrict the weight on the plane, and to pack more people in to increase revenue. I think that policies that require obese people to purchase extra tickets, make them request seat belt extenders, or limit the locations they sit is born out of the physical issues associated with seat size, but it breeds the sort of mentality and behavior the OP described. I am certain any airline would not want their employees to treat patrons that way if asked or given a choice, but the truth is that they can't control everyone (not an excuse - the employer is still liable). The planes physical layout makes it easy for ignorant and insensitive people to behave this way in the name of doing their jobs.

I think that the OP should complain bitterly, and that employee needs to feel some of the misery she breeds. Shame on her. Sadly, fat hating, discrimination, shaming, bullying, or whatever you want to call it, is alive and well, and this was an example of it made in the name of "safety".

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Evolution and natural selection did not create those fucking shrinking airplane seats. They are not that size, nor is the legroom what it is, because of any reason other than because they are designed that way to pack in more and more passengers and to encourage (especially on international flights) the sale of much more expensive business class seats.

While the general public has grown larger (yes, the same general public that the airlines sell tickets to), the airlines have actually shrunk their seat sizes and legroom.

See:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304384104579141941949066648

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2014/09/24/airplane-reclining-seat-pitch-width/16105491/

It is not only overweight and obese passengers and their neighbors who suffer from the current shrinking airline seat situation, but anyone who is taller than the average human being.

When airlines acknowledge that their customers DESERVE not to be in agony while they are traveling and start to outfit their airplanes to make their passengers actually comfortable, they and their customers will be rewarded.

As someone who travels constantly on business, I know just how horrific the current airline travel scene is.

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Thanks for all the support.

The crappy part was I just for out of OKC on the same airline with no issues. Same seat assignment even (I always select a window so I'm only crowding one person). And this happened in the terminal, before we even boarded the plane! It wasn't the stewardess, it was one of the ticket attendants at the gate. She literally walked over to me, asked what flight I was on then asked if I could come with her. I'm writing a complaint letter. I could understand if the person seated by me complained, they didn't by the way. But this was before I'd even gotten on the plane.

Please do write that letter and include a description of the person that spoke to you so rudely. NObody deserves that!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Evolution and natural selection did not create those f**king shrinking airplane seats. They are not that size, nor is the legroom what it is, because of any reason other than because they are designed that way to pack in more and more passengers and to encourage (especially on international flights) the sale of much more expensive business class seats.

While the general public has grown larger (yes, the same general public that the airlines sell tickets to), the airlines have actually shrunk their seat sizes and legroom.

See:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304384104579141941949066648

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2014/09/24/airplane-reclining-seat-pitch-width/16105491/

It is not only overweight and obese passengers and their neighbors who suffer from the current shrinking airline seat situation, but anyone who is taller than the average human being.

When airlines acknowledge that their customers DESERVE not to be in agony while they are traveling and start to outfit their airplanes to make their passengers actually comfortable, they and their customers will be rewarded.

As someone who travels constantly on business, I know just how horrific the current airline travel scene is.

Yes! It's all in the name of profit. They are shrinking the space so much there are customer fights breaking out because one person put thingies on the back of the seat in front of him so that person can't recline their seat! It's ridiculous. NOT your fault! The airline created this problem.

[SnohoGal98296 371]

VSG ANN is spot on, airlines reconfigure their aircraft for the most revenue possible. I was the traveler that needed the seat belt extender and always worried about complaints, but only 1 month after surgery I no longer needed the extender, the armrests no longer dig into my sides, and I no longer see that "look" when people realize I will be their seatmate. It gets better is my point. Follow the rules of the surgery and you will get there faster than you think. I have flown twice since VSG and it gets better every time ;-D

Edited September 29, 2014 by SnohoGal98296

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Well, I don't think the airline industry caused the entire problem. Airlines didn't cause the flying public to gain weight. For that, we can thank our increasingly sedentary jobs and entertainment options, our older ages and longer lifespans, and our faster, cheaper food. But a lot of other for-profit monster corporations get significant credit for the obesity boom.

Although with their shrinking passenger seats, smaller seat pitches, and less leg room, airlines are definitely contributing to the problem.

What offends me the most is the airlines' industry-wide, coordinated and thus far successful campaign to IGNORE their customers' needs for basic service. It goes against every healthy economic principle. They can do this now ONLY because they can manipulate their monopoly on the fastest way to travel.

I may not live to see it, but one day travel technology will offer human beings better long-distance travel options than the misery of airborne cattle cars.

</rant>

Edited September 29, 2014 by VSGAnn2014

[nora72814 20]

One word "BASTARDS"! ((((hug))))

[nora72814 20]

One word "BASTARDS"! ((((hug))))

[Miss Mac 6,261]

I smell money $$$$$$$$. If not in comps, then in punitive damages. When you write your complaint letter, threaten to contact the media, the FAA, anyone with clout, and let them know that you should have not been singled out that way. If you do not remember the emplyee's give the best description you can, with airport, flight number, etc to be as specific as you can. Good luck, and this may at least be worth a free flight in the future.