Oversized non-rev in exit row Flt. 391
 

My husband and I were seated in the exit row on flight 391 CLT-LAS. Just before closing the doors, a non-rev and her spouse boarded the plane. The spouse who was approx. 2 times the size of the seat, wedged himself into the seat between my husband and I. He obviously knew that if he asked for a seat belt extender, he would be disqualified from the exit row, so he just tucked the seat belt so it would appear that it was buckled. He never got out of his seat the entire 4 1/2 hrs. of the flight and when he did get out of the seat at the end of the flight, he had to wait for us to get out of our seats so he could use the arm rests to un-wedge himself. Not only could I not use the tray table (located in the armrest) due to his body hanging over the armrests, I was forced to sit leaning into the window and my husband was forced to sit leaning into the aisle for the entire flight. In addition to the discomfort of the flight, there definetly was a safety issue here. This man could not have asissted in an emergency as he would not have been able to get out of the seat quickly. Upon contacting USAirways, this was their response:
"I’m sorry you were faced with an uncomfortable situation when you were seated next to a person whose size exceeded the width of their seat. As you may know, carriers are not required to provide two seats to a large individual if only one seat is purchased. A second seat may be purchased by our customers for their and your comfort. If such a situation should occur on a future flight, please speak with your Flight Attendant. I am unable to honor your request for compensation due to this issue."
No mention that they have a policy of requiring an individual of large size to purchase a second seat and also no mention that this was a non-revenue passenger or the safety issues involved with the situation.

1.) How do you know that they were Non-rev passengers. When I travel standby as a non-rev pax on my airline and any other airline for that matter I do not disclose that information with anyone but the F/As and the flight deck crew as I politely introduce myself to them to let them know I will traveling with them.

2.) Exit row criteria does not disclose how skinny or fat a person should be. Once the gate agent and ticket counter agent ask the person if they are willing and physically to assist, they can assign an exit row seat or a passenger can purchase or be assigned an exit row seat on a flight.

3.) Only Southwest and 1 -2 other airlines have a customer-of-size policy in place. There was a major uproar when Southwest 1st introduced it as many people went and filed complaints and petitions with the Federal government which oversees the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I know my airline and many other do not have such a policy in place as may seem discriminatory to obese people, and it is left up to the passenger to decide whether or not they want to purchase an 2nd seat. I have seen many people buy a 2nd seat just because they don't want anyone to sit they them. I have also seen were people buy all the pet-in-cabin fees just to keep pets out of the cabin ("emotional support" and service animals excluded).

The wife had her emplyee ID around her neck and the man could not get out of the seat without the use of the armrests, (he waited until we got up so he could push himself out of the seat) so I would say her really wasn't physically able to assist.

She could have very well purchased a ticket. I see a lot of that on a daily basis.
#2. All the agents have to ask the person, is "Are you able and willing to assist the flight crew in case of an emergency onboard". If the person says yes, then viola, an exit row seat will be issued.

This is an increasing problem. I am fat myself, and I would refuse an emergency row seat on the grounds that it is not safe. Many airlines have a policy of no seat belt extenders on the exit, but that requires a degree of honesty by the fat gay, which was sadly lacking here. I do however think you should have discretely spoken to the FA, or considered swapping with his wife. This way the onus is on the airline to fix the problem.

Accepting the situation and asking for compensation is a bit like eating a meal, then asking for it to be "comped". First give them a chance to correct the situation.

Being fat is not a disability. I either sit next to my skinny partner or daughter, or if travelling alone, buy two seats.