"Too fat to fly?" This is the headline that splashed across newspapers and blogs across the world today. Kevin Smith, director of several well known movies such as Chasing Amy and Dogma, was ejected from a Southwest flight due to his size.
We have to ask why this story caused so much interest and controversy? It was such a popular story that the Southwest computer system became overloaded and temporarily shut down by the volume of responses.
If you read blogs and responses to these articles, they drew very strong reactions from both sides of the debate. Some people were outraged that he was rejected from the flight, stating that this was discrimination and handled poorly. Why allow him onto the flight, sit down, buckle up and then change their mind? Celebrity or not, this was likely to be embarrassing for anyone. The question was posed whether the airline has specific guidelines that could have prevented the incident such as a BMI chart, specific rules outlining the limits much like they do with carry on luggage. Before getting on, you can test whether your luggage will fit the dimensions of the storage on board.
On the other hand, bloggers expressed a need for Kevin to take this as a serious concern about his size and weight. The bloggers on this side of the debate did not think it was reasonable that a passenger's size should negatively impact someone next to them. When this happens, it is an issue of fairness and comfort, according to some readers.
The question that seems unanswered by the news releases and blogs is whether this is a case of a real security risk, disrupting passenger comfort or a case of weightism? "Weightism" is defined as prejudice or discrimination against due to their size. Some consider it to be the "last acceptable prejudice." Notice that they did not disclose his weight or height to give any indication of his actual size. This takes us back to "judging" people based on what we see rather than the facts.
The bigger question is how often this happens on a daily basis and it doesn't receive the attention it does than when it happens to a celebrity?
Perhaps the two lesson learned: 1) Make policies crystal clear to consumers 2) the reality is that the concerns about obesity are present in everyday situations like fitting comfortably into airplanes and movie theater seats. This is a red flag that our bodies are outgrowing our current environment. Yes, a celebrity being booted off of a flight makes a sensational story. But, the larger issue is how to assist people in eating mindfully and prioritizing their health to help everyone (celebrity or not) avoid this problem.
By Dr. Susan Albers by psychologist and author of 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food and Eating Mindfully. www.eatingmindfully.com
p.s.--I've had skinny passengers take more than a seat and a half with their elbows. Maybe we should all be a little more considerate on one side, and more tolerant on the other.
"But, the larger issue is how to assist people in eating mindfully and prioritizing their health to help everyone (celebrity or not) avoid this problem."
Perhaps, but that is not the real issue here. Yes we have an obesity epidemic here, but also yes people are growing taller as well. I'm almost 6 ft tall and I look upwards at quite a few people both men and women. As someone who is 6 ft tall, what used to be a somewhat rare occurance, is growing in frequency.
The issue is bigotry and discrimination, and it is something we as a country need to work on. So what do fat people want? Just to be treated with a little respect as anyone else would. It's not always about overeating and gluttony. Metabolic issues are a huge part of this. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of high fructose corn syrup usage of any Western country, and funnily enough, we are also the most obese, although I believe Australia surged ahead of us in that regard.
I have another idea: Maybe they shouldn't have let him sit down and get strapped in, instead of letting him sit down and get strapped in, and then parade him off the plane like that?
Generally, I don't like flying because the seats (like most public seating) are made for the "average" American, 5'10", around 170 pounds. I want to be very clear that I am not "thin" or "small" by any measure.
That said, while I appreciate that Mr. Smith was embarrassed by what happened, as well as inconvenienced, his subsequent ranting feels a bit spoiled and childish.
Someday, Mr. Smith will die, as we all do. Does he ever consider his legacy? Or the example he sets for others? With childhood obesity off the charts, and "junk food" causing all manner of health problems, does he want to become the poster boy for all that is wrong with American eating habits?
I think that Mr. Smith needs to go to Overeaters Anonymous (I did for two years) and learn about his relationship with food, and also learn that he is not the center of the universe. If anything, the lack of consideration for others and unwillingness (or inability) to display any graciousness in this whole affair is a very disgusting commentary on the state of our society.
It's another version of the "me first and I don't care about anyone else" attitude that has just about ruined our country.
Regards, Ed Garren, MA, LMFT
Psychotherapist
Portland, Oregon
www.edgarren.us
Let's call it by it's name: FATISM.
Or, if the word FAT sounds too much like the "r-word" being bandied about by the two Sarahs (Palin and Silverman), you can call it OBESE-ISM.
Don't thank me. I'm here to help.
Smith clearly stated that he is within the airlines stated policy, he fits between the armrests and can click the seat belt without the aid of an extender. It's weight-ism, plain and simple and good for him for blogging the heck out of it.
smodcast.com and turning it into a hilarious smod
If you can't fit in your seat without crossing the halfway point on the arm rest:
You need to buy Two tickets.
We have a real problem with consumption in America today. The idea that we're talking about seatbelt extensions is horrifying. This stuff didn't happen 30 years ago. It really makes you wonder where we are headed and what we will look like in 30 years. We have absolutely got to get our consumption under control in this country.
What finally worked with smoking was taxing the cigarettes. Maybe if we taxed all food with above a certain (small) amount of sugar, we could make a dent in this epidemic. There are lots of fatty foods that are bad too, but sugar is always bad for you, so this might be the place to start. No more cheap cheesecake, cookies, bon bons, or ice cream.
Something has got to be done about the obese or this problem with be the death of America. I don't understand why this country can't do anything in moderation, but we had better start learning some self control soon.
Perhaps you should apply some moderation to your distain, yes?
FYI, I worked for an airline 30 years ago and there were seatbelt extenders and the need for them back then too. Also, 30 years ago, a plane was a flying cigarette and people routinely were poured off planes drunk. Given the choice between sitting next to someone who overeats or someone who smokes or gets drunk, I'll choose the overeater anytime as long as they only take up one seat. (which is the case for 95% of those traveling.
An obese woman sat (on) by me from San Francisco to Las Vegas and there was no way that either of us had the ability to leave the plane in an emergency. She was on the aisle and I was in the middle seat. A man sat in the window seat. I suppose he could have gotten out by climbing over the rear of the seat in front of him.
The flight attendant pulled the arm rest up (between us) and that allowed a huge amount of her weight to rest on me. I am 5' and my weight was about 110. My entire left side went numb. I also was "smothered" to the point of coughing. I got a flight attendant's attention and she was more of less "like it or leave it"..that was my point....I would not be able to get up, much less off of the plane.
I view it as a safety problem.
Says the "expert" selling diet books and weight loss techniques.....
In my opinion the larger issue is accommodating ALL paying customers by providing ALL paying customers with seat size options and pricing them accordingly.
I'll bet you not one single 'fattie' would begrudge paying an extra 50-100 dollars to sit in a seat with an extra 8" of width, sparing themselves the humiliation and hours of discomfort their flight $$ buys for them, currently.
HeII, I'll bet a lot of "average" size people would pay that 50-100 dollars extra so as NOT to sit in the Barbie Doll size seat they offer now!
Since 9/11 American airlines have taken the flying public to the cleaners--rude, abusive and over the top.