Frequently Asked Questions

Why are people upset with Southwest?

    Southwest says it will now strictly enforce a policy of charging passengers of size for two seats.

What are the civil rights implications airline policies charging larger passengers more money to travel?

    The right to travel between the states has always been recognized as an important issue in the struggle for equal rights in the United States. Perhaps more than ever, today the ability to access travel accommodations is an essential element of participation in the mainstream of society. Whether
it be for business reasons or familial obligations, fat people need to be able to reliably, safely, and in a timely fashion reach their destinations.
 

    Fat people face a lot of discrimination. In particular, fat people as a group suffer financially. For example, in 1993 the New England Journal of Medicine reported that fat women average a staggering $6,710 less in yearly household income than their thin peers. This population cannot afford to pay double for the same trip. Because of airline policies like Southwest's, there will be people who cannot travel to weddings and funerals. There will be people who are refused jobs, scholarships, or other opportunities because their travel costs will be too high.

I am traveling on Southwest soon- what should I do?

     How you decide to respond to the policy is a personal decision. Regardless of your approach, it is a good idea to take notes or to tape your interactions with airline and airport personnel. In addition, it is also wise to record your feelings leading up to and during your trip. It is always a good idea to check with an attorney in your area who can give you legal advice based on your personal circumstances.

     Remember, your experience and story are important. Careful notes may help you or someone else take action to change the policy. If you want to share your experience publicly, you can do so by clicking on respond and adding a comment

       
     If something noteworthy happens on your trip, you can contact me directly to discuss options. Remember NOT to post confidential information on the public site.

What is your opinion about the statement Southwest posted on their web site?

     Southwest's statement attempts to present a company that values many types of diversity, including weight/size diversity. Not only is this in contradiction to the policy making fat people pay double, but also is contradicted by their stated "Qualifications and Requirements" for the position of Customer Service Agent. Customer service agents are required to have and maintain a weight in proportion to their height such that "a neat appearance is maintained." The policy continues: "Only standard uniform sizes are available. Men's uniforms range in waist size from 27 to 42 inches. Women's uniforms range in size from 0 to 18. No tailor-made uniforms are permitted." This is a textbook example of a biased policy.

I want to support this issue, but sometimes I feel crowded by being next to a bigger person- how can I reconcile these feelings?

     Large people do not want to encroach on the seats of other passengers. They simply want to be able to travel in as dignified and comfortable a manner as possible. To maximize profits, airlines have minimized space for travel.

     This is an issue that affects most travelers, and it is important for travelers to stick together on this issue and hold airlines accountable for the space choices they make.

How can I help?

     If you are an interested attorney or person with legal skills and are interested in working in coalition with other attorneys on this issue, please contact me via e-mail or telephone. FairAirLegalTeam@BeyondBias.com

     If you are interested in volunteering your time in a non-legal capacity, please e-mail with your contact information and the type of work you would like to contribute. FairAirVolunteers@BeyondBias.com

    If you have a limited amount of time, send your opinion to your national representatives and to Southwest. Be sure to also send a copy of your correspondence to one of the national organizations like NAAFA or ISAA, or to me at Sondra@BeyondBias.org.