American Airlines Attendant Photographs Obese Passenger
Not that I’m launching an official campaign against them, here’s just another reason not to like American Airlines.
Recently, The Telegraph reported that an American Airlines flight attendant took this photograph of an obese passenger (looking very uncomfortable in the aisle seat) who refused to pay for two seats. I thought most major carriers had a passenger weight rule about buying two seats, but apparently American doesn’t have an official one yet. They might after this.
While its a bit obvious two seats were required to accommodate this flyer, why was it necessary for the flight attendant to snap this humiliating photo and then publish it for the entire world to see? So much for the friendly skies.
Was the flight attendant just in her (according to the article, it’s a “she” but no name is given) frustration with this passenger, or was the photo completely uncalled for?
[poll id="15"]
[Photo via The Telegraph]
Post Your Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment
T/S Members
Log in with your True/Slant account.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tweets Tube, Ash. Ash said: RT @travelitup: American Airlines Attendant Photographs Obese Passenger #travel http://bit.ly/5IwDip [...]
I feel for the guy. But I think the attendant’s motive was more about showing the dangers and hazards caused by this passenger’s refusal to comply with what are industry-standard rules (albeit unwritten and thus unenforceable, in dumb-ass AA’s case). How is she supposed to maneuver a cart around this guy? What if there’s an actual incident and passengers need to get out, fast?
OK. Plane makes an emergency water landing on a river, say the Hudson. It’s taking on water and this guy is clogging the aisle… not cool man.
Look, it is not about being cruel or insulting. It’s not like anyone is just mocking this guy on the street. He’s infringing on the comfort and safety of everyone. And the FAs can’t dotheir jobs properly to boot.
If you’re,say, 400 lbs, 185 kg, 33 stone, whatever… you must buy the space required to accomodate you or stay home.
there are times when humans, living their lives, fall into the category of being either a natural wonder or a train wreck. the rest of us can’t help but stare in those cases. it may be rude… but it’s pretty well hard-wired into our primate brains. having a camera phone just makes it easier to tell the story later… for official reasons or for personal sharing. is it wrong? i have a hard time passing judgement… but i probably wouldn’t have done it unless i needed to point it out to a supervising authority.
People may not realize it, but there are good reasons for taking this photo.
1) The passenger is not identified (this isn’t a face photo)
2) This situation is clearly unsafe
3) The laws of physics are not optional
Aircraft flight characteristics are determined by the weight and balance of the load. This guy looks like he is easily twice the average passenger weight (He couldn’t be less than 350#). It is unfortunately necessary to apply the laws of physics to this guy and ask him to pay extra for being extraordinarily heavy and large.
I don’t think the explanation of one passenger’s weight and size ought to be an excuse for violating the safety of others.
If A/A doesn’t have a personal size/weight restriction that would require him to purchase two seats, it is not reasonable to expect him to do so. It is A/A that created this obviously unsafe situation by not simply giving him a seat with an empty seat beside it. The plane does not look full; and even if it were, this is A/A’s fault not his and they need to figure out how to accommodate him someplace other than the center of the airplane where it becomes everyone else’s (and the FA’s) problem. It is clearly and absolutely A/A’s obligation to provide all of the other passengers with safe transit, not his obligation.