Kevin Smith, actor and director recently had a bout with Southwest Airlines. He was kicked off a flight because he didn’t fit comfortably into the seat (so the airline says).
Smith took to his Twitter to vent:
“Had three seats/whole row for me & Jen. She skipped SF, so I went solo checked in and was given the 2 tix there & return 2 (for that p.m.).”
“Going out, even with 2 tix, I only sat in one seat, sleeping against window, w/empty seat between me and follow passenger. Coming back would”
“have been the same, at 7pm. But I got to the airport early enough to try to bump-up my flight to 5:20 – a practice @SouthwestAir does often.”
“I was told 5:20 flight was packed, but I could go Standby. They sent me to gate. Told lady whole story, and she said there wouldn’t be two”
“seats on that earlier flight. I said I only needed one seat & that I didn’t buy an extra seat because I’m fat (which I am), but because I’m”
“anti-social and didn’t want to sit next to someone & possibly have to make convo (in person, I’m very shy). She said she understood. I was”
“issued the solo ticket. I get on the plane: open seat in the front row. Put my bag away, the sit between two ladies. As I’m about to buckle”
“my extender-less seatbelt, the woman who issued the ticket to me appeared in the doorway of the plane, came over to me and said the Captain”
“said I wasn’t going to be allowed to sit there because I was a safety risk. I asked for clarification and was given none (also asked “Please”
“don’t do this” but that, too, fell on deaf ears. Ladies on either side said I wasn’t a problem. SWA-lady said arm-rests the decider. Arm-“
” rests come down, and voila! I’m legit! I’ve passed the stinkin’ arm-rest-test. And still, the lady asks me to get up and come with her off”
“the plane. I get up without a fuss at all, quietly grab my bag, make eye contact with a fellow Fatty who was praying he’d pass, and leave.”
“You think I wanna fuck around on an airplane? I was right: I fit in that seat. But I can’t risk not complying: I’m more afraid of AirFeds.”
Smith Tweeted about his humiliating expulsion Saturday (February 13) from the Oakland-to-Burbank, Calif. flight. Southwest said in a statement airline officials had offered Smith their “heartfelt apologies,” but that his removal was for the “safety and comfort of all customers.”
Smith, who played Silent Bob in his Clerks movies has been battling his weight for years – “I know I’m fat,” he says. He was given a $100 voucher when he arrived in Burbank on a later flight. But he was in no mood to accept an apology.
After landing in Burbank, Smith Twittered:
“Don’t worry: wall of the plane was opened & I was airlifted out while Richard Simmons supervised.”