Obese man booted from exit row, complains of "fat-shaming"

[suze2000]

As a fat person Ive known for about 20yrs that if you need an extension belt, you cant sit in the exit row.

My first thought when looking at the guy in the photo, before reading the article, was "bet you he needed an extension belt".

So much this. In fact, I've suffered through an uncomfortable flight a couple of times when the seat belt is very worn and has clearly been shortened (instead of replaced) rather than give up my exit row seat. *breathe in*

Also: why is it that business class seat belts are ALWAYS so much longer (at least 4 inches) than the ones in Y?

 

[DC3]

If check-in agents start asking people if they need extender belts, I guess they'd complain about that too

…. but even so, who goes to a check-in agent for domestic flights these day? Check-in online or at the airport kiosk?

In the video clip, he was as big as his kitchen fridge. Clearly a POS.

 

[suze2000]

In the video clip, he was as big as his kitchen fridge. Clearly a POS.

We all get that he's fat and clearly unsuited to the exit row, but to call him a POS on that basis is just uncalled for.

 

[Denali]

We all get that he's fat and clearly unsuited to the exit row, but to call him a POS on that basis is just uncalled for.

Passenger of size

I usually smirk when reading POS (point of sale) sales reports for similar reason

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I usually smirk when reading POS (point of sale) sales reports for similar reason

I thought it was just me that did that

 

[samh004]

Also: why is it that business class seat belts are ALWAYS so much longer (at least 4 inches) than the ones in Y?

Could be that because the business seat is 'wider' they allow for extra length to make the distance. It then seems a lot longer when you hold one end, but it just accounts for the size of the seat and the distance between the two points.

 

[wandering_fred]

The there was the flight attendant (maybe ten years ago) on a TransPacific flight (not QF) who was probably limited to 777s as he won't fit through the over wing exits on a narrow body plane......

Just wandering
Fred

 

[suze2000]

Oh dear haha, I read it as Piece of S**t

 

[Denali]

Oh dear haha, I read it as Piece of S**t

You're not alone

 

[p--and--t]

From the TV footage, clearly the complainant :

• would not have fitted through a 737 centre hatch
• despite his protests did not look fit/agile enough to assist others
• would have significantly blocked the access way to the hatch if he did not move out of the way
• did not meet the criteria for the exit row shown in the T&Cs on QF site
• did not meet the criteria laid down by CASA

Whether he was shamed by the flight attendant or just merely "felt ashamed" when asked to move, or just p..sed he paid for the exit row and thought he got away with it, only those present would know.

Why the press gave it air time, I do not understand. Maybe they were still hyperventilating after the election weekend and desperate to find a contrived controversy.

 

[jb747]

I expect that he's trying for free business class next time he flies...

 

[p--and--t]

I expect that he's trying for free business class next time he flies...

Allegedly from reports elsewhere he got a full fare refund and possibly more.

Not right in my view considering the airline was not at fault.

 

[DC3]

Oh dear haha, I read it as Piece of S**t

Apology accepted.

 

[Quickstatus]

As a fat person Ive known for about 20yrs that if you need an extension belt, you cant sit in the exit row.

My first thought when looking at the guy in the photo, before reading the article, was "bet you he needed an extension belt".

Agree. But maybe he didn’t think he needed an extension belt...I can’t see how he would think that though. Unfortunately for him I don’t think he can exit through the 737 emergency hatch.

 

[suze2000]

I expect that he's trying for free business class next time he flies...

Does that work? I'm pretty fat...

 

[jb747]

Does that work? I'm pretty fat...

No. Goes along with my rule of never rewarding bad behaviour.

But, there is always Dr Rudi's advice.....

 

[GoldCanyon340]

But, there is always Dr Rudi's advice.....

Now there's a blast from the past. Dr Rudi for PM I say

 

[suze2000]

No. Goes along with my rule of never rewarding bad behaviour.

I honestly wouldn't want it to. There's not enough J seats to go around as it is.

 

[Alyopsis]

it's getting a run in some of the oversea's travel blogs

Man Claims Qantas Fat Shamed Him - Did They?

Qantas claims that this was because of emergency protocol and had no intention of embarrassing the passenger.

simpleflying.com

 

[pauly7]

it's getting a run in some of the oversea's travel blogs

Man Claims Qantas Fat Shamed Him - Did They?

Qantas claims that this was because of emergency protocol and had no intention of embarrassing the passenger.

simpleflying.com

Great, hopefully spreads the message of who is and isn’t appropriate to sit in exit rows.