[cnn]Kevin Smith: 'I'm never going on Southwest again'

Because you're fat, or reasonably wealthy?

 

I'm listening to the Smodcast right now about this story. The bottom line is this: If Smith could put the armrests down and the buckle his seatbelt, then he shouldn't have been kicked off the plane.

 

Wanted to add that I'm also fat, around 320 - 340, been uncomfortable on Southwest flights but never been asked to deplane or purchase a second seat. In fact, I was sitting in a front seat once; the flight attendant noticed my knees were cramped and she offered to let me sit elsewhere on the plane. But I guess coming and going from Omaha, nothing's crowded. I think I'd also give Smith credit for having the humility or frugality to fly Southwest up to this point.

 

I'm wondering if it is coincidence that the folks who are missing the part where it is stated he could put down the armrests and buckle his seatbelt are the same ones who dislike him as a movie actor/writer/director.



seriously...rhad, scribo and tschmal

are yall intentionally overlooking the fact that he wasnt infringing on anyone else's seat? Or is cause you jsut think everyone that is fat is a second class citizen? (full disclosure: Im 6'2"/240ish)

 

I'm pretty ambivalent about him movie-wise and I would've assumed most people were too. Although "boo-boo kitty ****" is my favorite line ever.

 

My bad. I didn't read the article fully. I did, however, recently fly from Houston to Seattle and had to hug the window because the overweight person next to me spilled into my seat. The arm rests came down barely, but their arm was a good 3 inches into my seat. I would gladly have changed seats, but it was a full flight. So I really posted about my own feelings on the issue (and my dislike of Smith's films) instead of addressing the facts of the case.

But to be fair to Smith and everyone else overweight, if you can get the armrests down, keep your arms in your space, and don't bother the people around you, fair play to you. (full disclosure: I need to lose about 20 pounds myself).

 

The flight was an hour, from Oakland to Burbank. Smith says he only flies Southwest to Oakland/San Francisco and Vegas because they're short flights.

 

Oh come on. Not the "you hate fat people" baloney. Sheesh.

It's a fair policy (very fair, relative to other airlines), that's all I'm saying. Kevin was apparently aware of it (usually buys two seats) and then became outraged when it was put into effect. I think that's kind of dumb.

 

it sounded like he bought 2 seats because he didn't want anyone next to him, i.e. he just liked the extra space. Not because he couldnt fit in one seat.

Fair policy or not, there wasnt much common sense used here.

 

That's a little husky RM2K -- you might need think of buying a couple of seats next time you are traveling by air.

 

you sure you read the article?

 

have you read the policy?

 

nothing to do with you confusing the reason why he buys two seats when he can which was clearly clarified by kevin smith.

 

He doesn't buy 2 seats because he's fat, he does it because he'd rather not sit next to random people and Southwest is cheap and he has the money to pay for it. He actually bought 3 seats the week before because he thought his wife was making a trip with him.

 

Oh come on. Kevin also admits he's a rather portly gentleman. Are you saying the decision to purchase two seats is totally independent of that? I don't buy it. I'm sure he's more comfortable with two seats, just like the average joe schmoe is uncomfortable with a half seat.

Regardless, none of this deserves his outrage. This is a policy that's in effect on most every airline. (every airline?) SWA deals with it the best they can - which is better than most. He can boycott all he wants or whatever - he'd have the same issue on United.

 

i cannot hack into kevin smith's brain to see his thought process. i can only go by what he says or writes and in this case that was that he buys a second seat when available for privacy, not because he's aware of their policy which is what you stated.

 

but you can gauge that SWA handled this without appropriate decorum?

Fair enough. But this policy ain't exactly unheard of or anything. It's been in the news a few times before. I would find it a tad ridiculous to presume he had never heard of it.

 

I thought there was no assigned seating at SW so even if he buys two seats it doesnt gaurantee nobody will sit next to him

 

People who smell bad aren't spilling over into my seat, which I paid for. If you cannot fit into one seat, then you absolutely should be forced to buy an extra ticket. However, if you can lower the armrests and not spill over, then there shouldn't be a problem.

 

I took care of his hotel arrangements while he was in San Francisco.