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Flight attendant photographs obese passenger / safety hazard
The story behind this photo is that a flight attendant on an American Airlines flight pulled out her camera phone to show how airlines deal with the problem of obese passengers. As you can see, no amount of seat belt extenders is going to help this fellow "of size".
The photo was sent to Kieran Daly at Flightglobal, and according to the source, it is 100% authentic. Commenters who were on the flight say the poor passenger in the middle was pulled from the flight, given a voucher for his inconvenience and put in first class on the next flight.
In my opinion, American Airlines should have denied the man boarding until he ponied up the cash for a second (or third) seat. Letting him board, and then forcing another passenger to be bumped is pretty unfair.
| Only if he purchased a second seat | |
|---|---|
| No, even with a second seat, he is too big for the emergency exit, aisle and bathroom | |
| He purchased a ticket, leave him alone and let him fly |
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Shawn Dec 1st 2009 11:02AM
Yea, I don't think a second seat quite covers it. He is obviously unsafe in several situations. In addition to all the technical and safety issues, that is just plain unfair to the other paying passengers who are inconvenienced by this.
At some point someone needs to just admit that not everyone is entitled to everything. He is too large for commercial flight.
anonym Dec 1st 2009 5:30PM
"This guy is clearly a safety hazard if the plane were to crash" Really? As opposed to a plane crash with a skinny guy? Either way, you are doomed.
Scott Carmichael Dec 1st 2009 5:32PM
Really @Anonym? Air France crash in Toronto in 2005? The Hudson River crash? There are crashes that let you walk away from the wreck *IF* you can get out on time.
Taron Dec 10th 2009 9:07PM
You know if you really look at this picture, we all have been scammed, where is the
arm rest, they are stationary on the isle chairs, they don't go up and or down, they are
fixed, unless his bottom is consuming the whole arm rest, don't think so, we have all
been lied to. Also, are seats are engineered by the asian people and they use a standard
size to fit their structure. When you 6ft tall, you butt hangs over the chair and your knees
are up to your chest, and very uncomfortable, everything is sleeping from the waste down,
so I am the person that need to get up ten times to let my blood flow. Instead of siding
with the airlines, we should demand the seat that use to be in all planes,two on each side,
they make the money and we have the pain for 3 or 5 hrs..
Tony D Dec 10th 2009 11:19PM
Leave him alone the airlines should see his size before loading and make proper arrangements let alone this person has overweight problems which he /she sees every day in the mirror and this could be a member of your family.Does every family have such a relative in this overweight fast food society by the way I am 6 ft and weight 170 lbs male
AD
Kelly Dec 10th 2009 11:30PM
As a flight attendant or 20+++ years, it is just another issue that has to be dealt with by the front line employees because most airline's management, except Southwest, are not consistent in enforcing airline policies. The more a passengers complains/whiles, airlines give in. It is definitely a safety matter for any heavy set passenger and anyone he/she blocks. Yes, they need to purchase 2 seats. How does a person of size drive? What kind of furniture does he/she have that accommodates their weight? I'm sure they drive a car that can accommodate them so why expect an airline to design seats that only accommodates a minority percentage?
Sami Nemer Dec 11th 2009 7:33AM
He should not board or he should pay for a second seat. Besides Safety, how about how uncomfortable these people make it for you when you are squeezed tight next to them. I was fortunate once that their was another seat available for me to move to even though my exit row seat with more leg room was better, but I could not endure a 3 hour flight unable to breathe and feel comfortable myself, why should I suffer, I paid for a ticket as well?
Bob Dec 11th 2009 12:16PM
Maybe yours is not a popular comment but it's truthful and it needs to be. Well said. At some point people need to take responsibility for their own choices, and if being extremely overweight means you can't use a commercial flight? Tough!
Bob Dec 11th 2009 12:27PM
Kudos to SW airlines for adhering to flight regulations, just another reason why they are doing so well financially- true respect for the safety and comfort of all passengers. SW, just remember to please buy your aircraft parts from certified suppliers ;)
Mark Dec 1st 2009 11:51AM
I think the airlines should adopt a policy that theme parks/amusement parks have already adopted--if you can't fit in the seat, you can't go on the ride/flight. At Disney and other parks, you must be able to fit into the sample seat at the beginning of the ride queue. Airlines should have some sort of sample seat and for safety, maximum size allowable for egress through the smallest emergency exit. This guy is clearly a safety hazard if the plane were to crash.
Christine B.Osborne Dec 1st 2009 1:08PM
I do not think an airline should allow a person of this size on board a flight.
Even should he purchase two seats, there are any number of other problems and the issue of safety hazards rings true with me, having been in an emergency
landing with our engines on fire. The guy would have jeopardised our urgent
exit, when we all had to slide down the chutes. Thanks.
http://christinebosborne.blogspot.com
crazyfella Dec 1st 2009 5:07PM
Just put him in the cargo bay.
mags Dec 4th 2009 3:58AM
Good idea. A few years ago I got a flight back from Egypt and got wedged in between someone of a similar size. It was hot, he was hot and sweaty and I eventually passed out after first having to climb over him to get to the loo. I passed out in the galley - how embarrassing - also managed to injure myself on the way down. ALSO do these large people have the same luggage allowance as the rest of us. I think so - how unfair!
MJ Dec 2nd 2009 3:41AM
The 2010 flight attendants of Ryanair Calendar is on sale now! No obesity in that!
steve culley Dec 3rd 2009 12:15PM
why was this flight attendant using a phone on a plane....
Sakari Salo Dec 5th 2009 4:28AM
You silly saussage, dont you know that a proper mobile phone can be used off line
to take foto's and do all sort's of things safely even on board of an plane??
NOW you KNOW!!!
Or are you one of those who always complains, no matter what??
Sakari Salo
helen Dec 3rd 2009 3:56PM
Discrimination is the word that springs to mind here !! would you stop someone with anorexia from travelling ? he has paid for his ticket like everyone else he may be over weight from over indulgence or a medical disorder either way , i am sure he feels self conscious enough without being targeted and ridiculed. If there is a safety issue here then its upto the companies involved to sort that out so that all people are safe to travel regardless of their size. But remember that guy Hitler and the perfect race ? some people regard a size 10 as large others regard a size 18 as fine ? so i say we had all better be careful because in this discriminating paranoid society you may be the next on the list. Has for the other safety issue here what was the flight attendent doing with their phone switched on ....... surely they should be sacked for breaking a rule which is putting the lives of the passengers and crew at risk , by using something that can cause the instruments used on a plane to malfunction, and did the same person ask for this mans permission to photograph him and or make the photograph public ? i think a lot of people will be worried about this behaviour and lose trust in the air crews they travel with in future, this flight attendent should be sacked , i have seen larger people than this one a plane and its never bothered anyone, ive also seen as on my last flight 6 women ( none overweight most of them attractive to the eye) mad steamimg drunk swearing and bickering amongst them selves for at least 3hrs staggering up and down the aisle to the toliets, and swearing constantly , i know which would be my choice of travel companion !!!
rob Dec 4th 2009 1:15AM
ok then well lets say for instance he needs two seats just to sit down (as the photo shows) what chance do people behind him have of getting through the aisle while the plane is plummeting thousands of feet. none all there is, is a great chance of anarchy people fighting for there lives and this poor guy unable 2 get out of the door where he will probably be beaten to death just to get him out of the way because i tell you now if i thought i was going to die n it became a either him or me situation you best believe i'm leaving that plane in one piece. and in reference to the flight attendant using her phone to take a picture, any1 who has been near a recent mobile phone will know there is an option called flight mode on it where you can use all your phone functions watch videos, play music and TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS with the function to receive phone calls and text messages turned off (as that is what can disrupt the instruments, so the attendant is not at fault and as she didnt show his face or name the image is classed as anonymous and in no way falls into misuse of the data protecton act
Sakari Salo Dec 5th 2009 4:48AM
Think You are an ower weight person, so am I and I think it's up to us me and you to get back to shape or stop harasing other people with our bulk in plane's and other puplick transport means. To be honest I'm not that big but big enought 6"1
290lbs and I do feel like if I was intimidating other passangers on planes. That is
a good reason to stick to bigger airlines than stuff my self in one of those low fare
airliners with their flying sardin tins
Sakari S.
Dave T Dec 10th 2009 10:12PM
If you can afford to stuff your face with excess food intake, you can afford to pay for the PRIVILEDGE of flying. Use 2 seats, pay for 2 seats.
Your experience with the 6 drunk ladies was unfortunate, and there are rules in place to remedy their situation, if enforced. There are currently far too many "feel good" types that do not want to address the safety situation of obese passengers. As a professional Pilot, we have the obligation where I work, to deny flight to passengers who are overweight. You have to be responsible for your condition, as no one else put the food in your mouth, and no one else should have to be cramped on a flight because of YOUR personal choices.