Too fat to fly: The Kevin Smith story

*The Stryker* · 02-15-2010, 01:55 AM

http://consumerist.com/2010/02/direc...g-too-fat.html

Quote:

Every so often Southwest Airlines arbitrarily and incorrectly decides that someone is too fat to fly in a single seat. These are people who have regularly flown Southwest in the past and can fit themselves in one seat without a problem. Prior to now, none were cult celebrities with more than a million and a half Twitter followers and a smartphone. Then an air captain declared filmmaker Kevin Smith a "safety risk," and all hell broke loose.

Southwest has responded: Yes, Kevin Smith tweeted that Southwest Airlines kicked him off a flight. Yes, it was purportedly because of his weight. Southwest's Twitter rep apologized (as did the VP of Customer Relations) once the incident took Twitter by storm. Smith took the opportunity to point out that the prompt apology was only because of his fame, and the same exact thing happens arbitrarily to other passengers who also shop in the plus-size section.

"F*ck making it right for me just 'cause I have a platform. I sat next to a big girl who was chastised for not buying an extra ticket because "all passengers deserve their space." F*cking flight wasn't even full! F*ck your size-ist policy. Rude..."

Southwest has posted their response to Smith's tweets. Their explanation: He had booked two seats for himself, but chose to take an earlier flight standby when there was only one seat available.

The airline explains:

Mr. Smith originally purchased two Southwest seats on a flight from Oakland to Burbank - as he’s been known to do when traveling on Southwest. He decided to change his plans and board an earlier flight to Burbank, which technically means flying standby. As you may know, airlines are not able to clear standby passengers until all Customers are boarded. When the time came to board Mr. Smith, we had only a single seat available for him to occupy. Our pilots are responsible for the Safety and comfort of all Customers on the aircraft and therefore, made the determination that Mr. Smith needed more than one seat to complete his flight. Our Employees explained why the decision was made, accommodated Mr. Smith on a later flight, and issued him a $100 Southwest travel voucher for his inconvenience.

Hey Fattie! I got a movie for ya! A fridge too far!

*Brodie* · 02-15-2010, 02:21 AM

He did a podcast explaining the whole story, and its pretty funny, and ****ed up on the airlines part.

Whats funny is the Southwest twitter account trying so desperately to "make good."

www.smodcast.com to listen to the newest one, "Go F-- Yourself, Southwest Airlines"

*The Stryker* · 02-15-2010, 10:58 AM

I don't know. I can't really blame Southwest. The guy has gotten pretty huge recently.

*Ninjinister* · 02-15-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stryker

Hey Fattie! I got a movie for ya! A fridge too far!

+1 Reference win points.

Quote:

I don't know. I can't really blame Southwest. The guy has gotten pretty huge recently.

Has he really? I haven't seen him within the last year or so.

*Brodie* · 02-15-2010, 11:46 AM

He's deffinately bigger. But you're assuming he's upset that they called him fat. He's deffinately not, he's more upset at the lack of how the employees handle dealing with their customers, then trying to lie about it when confronted.

Add that to the fact that the flight he was actually able to get on, the same thing happened to a twenty-something girl, who was pulled aside by a stewardess to let her know that she should look into buying another seat.

*The Stryker* · 02-15-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ninjinister

Has he really? I haven't seen him within the last year or so.

That's no moon.....

*Voltron* · 02-15-2010, 12:20 PM

At some point, there has to be a line drawn concerning personal health. When it's gotten to a point where OTHER people are getting uncomfortable, maybe you should. . .I dunno. . .take a walk or something.

*XERO* · 02-15-2010, 03:18 PM

... Silent Blob?

Leonardo Mystic · 02-15-2010, 03:38 PM

Har har. Make the jokes. It's not like people of size have any feelings. They're just subhumans after all. /sarcasm

This is what makes me sick about the thin-obsessed world.

*The Stryker* · 02-15-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardo Mystic

Har har. Make the jokes. It's not like people of size have any feelings. They're just subhumans after all. /sarcasm

This is what makes me sick about the thin-obsessed world.

Oh please. Get off of it.

EDIT: Breaking news, Interview footage from Kevin Smith over this whole situation

**Machias Banshee** · 02-15-2010, 06:55 PM

Just another example of legal discrimination. If the Airline is going to do that kind of thing, at least have the balls to admit it instead of trying to cover it up. Airlines do have the right to do that kind of thing... they are a private business.

On the other hand, I hate how people are dehumanized if they're overweight... nobody deserves that treatment.

*Cure* · 02-15-2010, 08:06 PM

http://fattyfeelsleftout.ytmnd.com/

*Turo602* · 02-15-2010, 08:29 PM

HA! Team America

BoggleKng · 02-15-2010, 08:52 PM

Poor Kevin, nicest guy, never used to be that big..

*Brodie* · 02-15-2010, 09:35 PM

New blog from Smith:
http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=393

*odupianist* · 02-16-2010, 07:35 AM

Heard about this on the radio this morning. The DJ had a good bit of advice:

"Don't tell how Southwest to run their successful business and they won't tell you how to run a movie"

*Brodie* · 02-16-2010, 12:25 PM

That.....advice isn't really relevant?

The company has some ****** business practice and lack of tact...Thats worth addressing if the company's employees are ignorant and oblivious to how to deal with people PAYING them for a service.

Don't defend a company for their foul up, with "we won't tell you how to run a movie" because I dont think anyones asking, and that isn't a relatable point to make.

Southwest is only addressing the issue because Smith has a big ****ing mouth, and is drawing attention to their ****ups. Think about how often this probably happens and goes unnoticed (which is obvious considering the same thing happened to a young woman not two hours after happening to Smith).

Maybe now they'll revisit a company policy established 25 ****ING YEARS AGO.

Also, this isn't about a "thin-obsessed" world, its about proper treatment of people, thin, fat, famous, or not.

*plastroncafe* · 02-16-2010, 03:54 PM

Good for Kevin Smith.

*Turo602* · 02-16-2010, 04:02 PM

Kevin Smith is badass. Wheres Jay when you need him.

*Krutch* · 02-16-2010, 04:13 PM

I love Kevin and all, but, doesn't anyone else think that he's taking this a bit too seriously? He seems like one of the most easy going guys on the planet. And he himself constantly makes fun of his weight. But the second someone else does he makes a big deal out of it? I dont know. I'm not an overweight dude but I'm sure its a little embarrassing. But still, I dont think its as big of deal as hes making it out to be.

02-15-2010, 02:21 AM	#2
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	He did a podcast explaining the whole story, and its pretty funny, and ****ed up on the airlines part. Whats funny is the Southwest twitter account trying so desperately to "make good." www.smodcast.com to listen to the newest one, "Go F-- Yourself, Southwest Airlines" __________________ Stupendous Monster

02-15-2010, 10:58 AM	#3
The Stryker Stupid Rich Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Room 237 Posts: 11,152	I don't know. I can't really blame Southwest. The guy has gotten pretty huge recently. __________________ @~<3 Mom~@

02-15-2010, 11:46 AM	#5
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	He's deffinately bigger. But you're assuming he's upset that they called him fat. He's deffinately not, he's more upset at the lack of how the employees handle dealing with their customers, then trying to lie about it when confronted. Add that to the fact that the flight he was actually able to get on, the same thing happened to a twenty-something girl, who was pulled aside by a stewardess to let her know that she should look into buying another seat. __________________ Stupendous Monster

02-15-2010, 12:20 PM	#7
Voltron Handsomest Boy in School Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Realm of SJW Posts: 4,642	At some point, there has to be a line drawn concerning personal health. When it's gotten to a point where OTHER people are getting uncomfortable, maybe you should. . .I dunno. . .take a walk or something. __________________ I AM FOR ACTUAL! . . . and the White Savior. . . and the Right Hand of God. . .

02-15-2010, 03:18 PM	#8
XERO Hybrid Theorist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Alamo City Posts: 8,185	... Silent Blob? __________________ "Travel at the speed of light... then hit the nitro!"

02-15-2010, 03:38 PM	#9
Leonardo Mystic Stone Warrior Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 904	Har har. Make the jokes. It's not like people of size have any feelings. They're just subhumans after all. /sarcasm This is what makes me sick about the thin-obsessed world. __________________

02-15-2010, 06:55 PM	#11
Machias Banshee Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 17,163	Just another example of legal discrimination. If the Airline is going to do that kind of thing, at least have the balls to admit it instead of trying to cover it up. Airlines do have the right to do that kind of thing... they are a private business. On the other hand, I hate how people are dehumanized if they're overweight... nobody deserves that treatment.

02-15-2010, 08:06 PM	#12
Cure Y'all need Jesus Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 8,938	http://fattyfeelsleftout.ytmnd.com/ __________________

02-15-2010, 08:29 PM	#13
Turo602 The King of Kings Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 2,931	HA! Team America __________________

02-15-2010, 08:52 PM	#14
BoggleKng Mad Scientist Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 1,224	Poor Kevin, nicest guy, never used to be that big.. __________________ You guys mind telling me what you're doing to my little green pal over there, hm? -Casey Jones, TMNT movie...

02-15-2010, 09:35 PM	#15
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	New blog from Smith: http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=393 __________________ Stupendous Monster

02-16-2010, 07:35 AM	#16
odupianist Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,744	Heard about this on the radio this morning. The DJ had a good bit of advice: "Don't tell how Southwest to run their successful business and they won't tell you how to run a movie"

02-16-2010, 12:25 PM	#17
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	That.....advice isn't really relevant? The company has some **** business practice and lack of tact...Thats worth addressing if the company's employees are ignorant and oblivious to how to deal with people PAYING them for a service. Don't defend a company for their foul up, with "we won't tell you how to run a movie" because I dont think anyones asking, and that isn't a relatable point to make. Southwest is only addressing the issue because Smith has a big ing mouth, and is drawing attention to their ups. Think about how often this probably happens and goes unnoticed (which is obvious considering the same thing happened to a young woman not two hours after happening to Smith). Maybe now they'll revisit a company policy established 25 *ING YEARS AGO. Also, this isn't about a "thin-obsessed" world, its about proper treatment of people, thin, fat, famous, or not. __________________ Stupendous Monster Last edited by Brodie; 02-16-2010 at 12:32 PM.*

02-16-2010, 04:02 PM	#19
Turo602 The King of Kings Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 2,931	Kevin Smith is badass. Wheres Jay when you need him. __________________

02-16-2010, 04:13 PM	#20
Krutch Like, stupid rich. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Rawkzone Posts: 2,808	I love Kevin and all, but, doesn't anyone else think that he's taking this a bit too seriously? He seems like one of the most easy going guys on the planet. And he himself constantly makes fun of his weight. But the second someone else does he makes a big deal out of it? I dont know. I'm not an overweight dude but I'm sure its a little embarrassing. But still, I dont think its as big of deal as hes making it out to be.