[Jordana]

I sent this certified letter to the CEO and to Customer Service on Contental Airlines:
This past Saturday, Dec. 12th - my husband and I were on Flight #1500 from Ft. Lauderdale to Newark. My husband was in a window seat, and I was in middle seat. I am 5' tall and weigh 105 lbs. The gentlemen next to me, in the aisle seat, must have weighed at least 350 lbs or more. He did not fit in his seat so he had the armrest up and sat not only in his seat, but in half of mine also and to top it off he reaked of body odor. First of all I want to know how you can sell him a seat at the same price you would sell me or anyone else a seat and yet he takes up much more space than he should. It is totally disgusting to pay good money for a flight and be treated as if I was a piece of carry on luggage. I couldn't get up to use the restroom more than once because when I asked him to get up he rolled his eyes and made a comment to his wife that was sitting in the seat on the other side of the aisle. I couldn't put my drink tray down because his arm was in the way. I know that the flight attendants are not oblivious - and should have said something to him or put him in a seat in the back of the plane. I really want someone to get back to me and explain why I should have been treated that way. I had to use the restroom - I couldn't, I wanted my tray table down - I couldn't (I had to keep on drink of my lap) - and I had a man disgustingly overweight and dirty. I was sick to my stomach the entire flight. If Continental is so worried about weighing and measuring luggage - why isn't the same being done for the people on the plane. I really want some explanation for this.

After contacting them several times since I had not heard from them - they finally sent me an email stating there were 6 untaken seats on the airplane and I should have moved to another seat. Continental totally did not answer what the problem was - only that I should have moved. I am so taken back by this reply. I am wrong?????

[jimworcs]

No you are not.. I am chubby myself, but I think this is outrageous. Why should you move? There is a perfectly sensible solution to this problem. As usual, it is Southwest airlines which has provided the best customer focussed solution.

If there are spare seats, the overweight passenger is seated next to an empty seat and does not have to pay for another. (They may have to pay upfront and claim a refund). If the flight is full, the overweight passenger must pay for a seocnd seat at the same rate they paid for their first one. Under no circumstances would it be a requirement for you to move.

The bottom line is this. If the passenger cannot put the armrest down, then they should have to pay for another seat. This is a fair and objective measure and would not open the overweight passenger up to the capricious nature of the morons who work the front desk for airlines.

You have a legitimate complaint..but I suspect the wording of it may have contributed to their reaction. Fat people exist and your complaint is valid.. so there is no reason for you to be personal or obnoxious about the person. Just objectively write how your comfort was compromised, what you would like them to do about it and then ask them in future to ask the overweight passenger to move.

[Jordana]

Dear Jim - if I offended you or anyone else that reads my email - I truly apologize. I did come across harsh - I was angry. But thank you for your feedback!

[jimworcs]

It is no problem, I wasn't offended, but I think this is one of those problems which are best solved by a bit of common sense. Hope you get somethign out of Continental.

[NewJerseyDevils]

if his own wife doesn't want to sit next to him kind of says it all.

[Gromit801]

Most US based airlines have policies about large passengers. Usually if the armrest can't be lowered, or the seat belt can't be fitted, they need to buy another seat.

I have no sympathy for them. I'm 6'7" have have to pay a lot more for clothing. More material is used in the making of it, so I pay more. Same applies to the obese that require more room on an airliner. If I need more leg room, I usually have to pay more for that as well.

[bruceba]

You are not wrong. The flight attendant should have intervened.
Even though it may have been uncomfortable for you, a conversation with the flight attendant was in order.
I hope you get a positive from response Continental.
( I had a similar situation on a CO. flight with a huge passenger. I just asked the flight attendant to re-seat the passenger per their rules and she did.