i found this article to be very interesting, because it tied in travel and weight.  Kevin Smith, a movie director, has had a certain embarassing conflict regarding his weight and airplane travel, and he Twittered all about it.  he was ejected from a plane flying for Southwest Airlines for being too fat.  what happened was, he sat down on the plane between two ladies, when suddenly a flight-attendent comes and explained to him that the captain wouldn’t let him sit there because he was a “safety risk.”  when Smith asked for clarification, he was given none.  both of the ladies he sat next to said he was not a problem, and so he had to perform the “armrest test,” to see if the armrests would go down all the way without him getting in the way.  he passed!  still, he had to get off of the plane.  Southwest Airlines’ explained that he “exceeded the width of his seat,” and they are responsible for the safety and comfort of all their passengers.  Smith received a phonecall from the airline later on, and they explained to him he was a nuisence to the women he was sitting next to, because they were leaning away from him.  he protested, saying that they had already been leaning that way, and they even SAID he was not a problem.  unfortunetely, the past cannot be changed and the consequences had been dealt with. 

Kevin Smith, movie director and supposed fat man.

after reading this article, i was shocked.  i find it sad that people are now being discriminated against for their weight.  like, seriously?? it’s like being treated differently because of race or sex.  people are not able to get to their destinations.  what if they need to go somewhere for important reasons, like a family commitment or something for work?  that’s just sad.  even though it is a safety issue, the guy in this situation still passed the armrest test, so he should be fine.  i mean, what do airlines want people to do, lose weight and THEN go for a job promotion??  hopefully that guy got his money back.  i can’t imagine the humiliation people must have felt being exported from the plane after being told in front of everyone that they are a risk because of their size.  it must have been a pitiful walk of shame down that aisle, bags in hand.

maybe THIS guy is a different story...

i wonder what crazy shenanigans airlines will come to next.