MarshB

There is no question that the policy is unevenly enforced. I always have a second seat and I've had agents pull me out of line to tell me I'd need a second seat. I've had gate agents show surprise when they see that I already have a second seat.

Regardless, I find the policy one of the best policies in the air. I think SW does a poor job of explaining it. In the past two years, I've flown no less than 100 segments and have received a refund 100% of the time. I love the comfort of the second seat and not having to worry about the rollover effect -- you know, the effect of my belly rolling over into the next seat.

Anyway, my real pet peeve is the delivery of the seat belt extension. There's nothing I appreciate more than an on the ball FA who notices me boarding, shows up minutes later with an extension rolled up and handing it to me hand to hand.

Then, of course, there's the exhibitionist. Can't get a FA's attention until they're doing the seat belt check, run to the front of the plane for an extension, hold it out over the empty seat at full extension as if to demonstrate to the full flight that the fat guy is in 12F.

Ahhh, it felt good to get that off my chest.

Sorry to digress. From the empty seat next to you. . .

Jeff

bigjim

Great post! Have you ever tried asking the gate agent about the extension?It seems that there should be something more civilized than what you have described above.

MarshB

No, I haven't. What I should do is just do a "long term borrow." A few years ago, a FA on HP told me to keep the extension. Never understood why every other airline has the same buckle, but WN's is different.

nsx

If an oversized WN employee is riding as a passenger, what's the policy? You can't pay for an extra seat if yuo aren't paying in the first place. So what about the Airline Employee of Size?

FWAAA

Don't know the answer, but an employee of size SHOULD be required to standby for two seats and should pre-board to get the two seats. Just like customers of size.

A couple days ago, a thread popped up on the American Airlines forum about a nonrev of size who would have squeezed the revenue pax poster had there not been an empty seat in the back for the revenue pax who moved to it.

4thplz

The employee would be on standby for two seats. Employees or their dependents that have this situation are very much aware of the policy, they normally pick flights that are not going to be full.

robmach

I wish i had bigger seats on a plane

JLK9N

MarshB:

Thanks for the tip! My understanding was I had to mail in the documentation for the second-seat refund, but I will definitely make a phone call next time first.

Yet again, I've learned something here on FlyerTalk. Thanks!

MarshB

Simple process: Call 214-792-4223, press 2. The agent will look up the flights on the spot and get the credit process started.

JLK9N

MarshB: Thanks again.

If you only have carry-on bags, have you been able to use the kiosk for check-in, or do you need to go through the airport line? I've gone online for the security document, passed throgh security and then checked in at the gate. I have never tried using the kiosk with two seats.

MarshB

Yes, I always use the kiosk, then have the GA fix the boarding pass.

On one occasion, I had a GA tell me that I should be checking in with an agent outside of security first, but that's bull. She had to put her book down to tell me that. (Regardless, I've confirmed with a supervisor that the procedure is fine.)

PTravel

Sorry for the belated reply -- I just saw this.

Maybe so but, again, my perspective is simply that of a non-COS passenger. That the procedure is subjective may (understandably) annoy a COS, but that it is unenforced will annoy innocent third-parties, i.e. whoever winds up seated next to the COS.

Is there any correlation to load factor? I could see, as a convenience to the COS, not requiring them to go through the purchase-and-subsequent-refund procedure if the GA knows there is plenty of room on the flight.

Sorry, but you're wrong. WN (and any other airline) most certainly can discriminate on the basis of age -- and I wish they would (though that's another equally-volatile thread).

That's not law, that's common business sense -- with a doctor's approval, WN won't be liable for negligence if the pax falls ill in-flight.

I'm not sure that I did say that -- I don't see any problem at all with a "sizer seat."

As other posters have mentioned, I've seen COS who need seatbelt extenders who can fit into a standard coach seat, with the arms down, just fine and without flowing under into the adjacent seat. I've also seen people with body shapes that are such that, even though they don't need the extender, they nonetheless spill over into the adjacent seat. I _advocate_ requiring anyone who spills over into someone elses seat to buy a second seat.

Well, here's what I think, for what it's worth (and this is based on knowing some very, very large people). Someone who meets the criteria for a COS _knows_ that they're larger than average. It's something they deal with every day, whether it's in restaurants, theaters, automobiles or public transportation. It is inconceivable to me that they are not aware of, at least, the potential for a problem when they fly. Is there anyone these days who hasn't heard the griping about sardine-like coach service?

Knowing that there may be an issue, and not dealing with it ahead of time is, to me, simply discourteous. Once on a trip, I injured my leg and had to return on crutches. I _knew_ I might have difficulty, so I called the airline and advised them. They made sure I had an aisle seat and noted my PNR to reflect my temporary disability. This was common sense on my part, and also reflected my concern that I not inconvenience my fellow pax. If was exceptionally large, even if I had never flown before, I'd certainly wonder whether I'd have any problem fitting into an airline seat. At minimum, I'd call and ask. The COS who cannot occupy his or her own seat, yet doesn't make arrangements and just assumes that it's okay to usurp someone else's space is inconsiderate and selfish.

And please note that I am not being critical of people who are overweight. I don't judge a person by physical appearance, but by the way the conduct themselves with respect to other people.

JudyS

There was speculation (or at least joking) about COS getting double RR because they have to buy two seats. Has any COS here actually had this happen? MarshB, I know you said that you always get your second fare refunded, so I assume no double RR credit would be possible in that situation.

Also, just how extreme does a person's size need to be for the two seat policy to apply? I understand that it is supposed to apply whenever a person doesn't fit easily into one seat, but this is open to interpretation. Any moderately large folks here ever been asked to buy a second seat?

WN LUVS U

You can only get Rapid Reawrds credit for the second seat if your not entitled to a refund. (You have to contact Rapid Rewards for this to happen.) As a general rule, if the armrest cannot go down, then that individual would require an additional seat.

JudyS

That makes sense -- thanks for the info.