King Baby Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 GALLIANO, La. — Kenlie Tiggeman is impressive, to say the least. She's a budding gardener at her mother's home in Galliano, a political strategist working in New York City, a blogger, and in the last two years — she's lost 120 pounds. Don't miss these Travel stories Chuck Cook Photography Where's the beef? Best cities for a killer burger In a survey, most seem to agree that the best burgers, no matter the price, keep things simple. Updated 16 minutes ago 5/16/2011 4:03:03 PM +00:00 Cruise ship loses power in Baltic Sea Is it time for bus drivers to go to charm school? Theme parks focus on deals, not just thrills Confessions of a New York street-food vendor But unfortunately, some people only look skin deep. "It doesn't matter how far I have come. I have a long way to go, but no one sees that. All they see is my exterior — someone who is fat," explained Tiggeman. She said that's what happened during a layover in Dallas on Easter Sunday, when she and her mother were singled out by a Southwest employee for their weight. "I asked him what the weight restrictions were and he said that he didn't know, just that we were too heavy to fly. Too fat to fly," said Tiggeman. Southwest's "Customers of Size" policy states passengers are required to buy a second seat if they cannot fit between the armrests, which measure 17 inches across. 'Oversized' Kevin Smith ejected from Southwest flight "I know that I have a lot of weight to lose but I am definitely not too fat to fly. I do it all the time, domestically and internationally, and I have never had anyone approach me and particularly in the way that they did," said Tiggeman. Issues with Southwest's "Customers of Size" policy are not new. A spokeswoman said employees are told to speak with customers in a private area and if necessary, check if they fit in the seats prior to boarding and always use the utmost discretion. However, Tiggeman and her mom, Joan Charpentier, said the 45 minute conversation, which included questions about their weight and what size clothing they wear, in front of more than 100 people, was anything but discreet. "It was the worst time I've ever had in my whole life. I was embarrassed, humiliated," said Charpentier. The worker then tried to strike a deal. Tiggeman, Charpentier and a third overweight woman could fly, if they would sit together. "Of course my daughter was okay with that. But I wasn't because the deal I made with Southwest when I left, I bought a ticket and it's open seating, and you can sit wherever you want," said Charpentier. After a supervisor's intervention, the women were allowed on the flight without buying additional seats. They were even given flight vouchers and an apology, which was recorded on Tiggeman's phone. Tiggeman shared what happened in her blog. It caught the attention of a Southwest executive, who contacted her to apologize and offered additional vouchers. But Tiggeman isn't looking for compensation. "Their sensitivity level needs to change, period. It needs to be different," said Tiggeman. "But I really want them to do more training with their employees, from the top to the bottom. Because if it happened to us, it's going to happen again," said Charpentier. But there has been some good to come out of all of this. On her blog, Tiggeman wrote an open letter to fitness guru and New Orleans native Richard Simmons, since his videos played such a large role in her weight loss. She said she wanted to use her free voucher to visit his studio in Beverly Hills, and somehow Simmons saw the letter and wrote to her personally and asked her to work out with him. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42996971/ns/travel-news/# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 When I first heard of this a few years ago. I didn't know how to feel about it and I still don't. I can understand why they would need that policy but then again its so insulting to ones ego who is overweight. I'm on the fence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotboy06 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 "You at the burger, now you pay the price." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Baby Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 When I first heard of this a few years ago. I didn't know how to feel about it and I still don't. I can understand why they would need that policy but then again its so insulting to ones ego who is overweight. I'm on the fence. Its nothing more annoying then being squished up with some hippo during a long flight, but ultimately I blame the airlines for making the seats smaller a few years ago because they are greedy and want to be able to get more people on the flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aed05 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Its nothing more annoying then being squished up with some hippo during a long flight, but ultimately I blame the airlines for making the seats smaller a few years ago because they are greedy and want to be able to get more people on the flight. Pretty much. How you gonna make the seats smaller, when americans are getting fatter. Shit don't make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Right ...the small seats on the planes to begin with is the problem to begin with Trains are so much more spacious and comfortable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA... Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Sounds fair to me. I have to pay for bringing my extra baggage onboard so you should have to pay for bringing your extra fat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotboy06 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Sounds fair to me. I have to pay for bringing my extra baggage onboard so you should have to pay for bringing your extra fat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xtraordinary Xternal Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I don't know how I feel about it honestly... I never been fat so I don't know if it easier to loose weight or what. I feel like this could be discrimination... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.omner Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I had the pleasure of sitting next to someone for a flight 8 hours. He actually fit into his seat, but his love-handles were coming into my space. It is very uncomfortable. I think it's fair if you need to take 2 seats, then pay for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungeon Dragon Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Its nothing more annoying then being squished up with some hippo during a long flight, but ultimately I blame the airlines for making the seats smaller a few years ago because they are greedy and want to be able to get more people on the flight. LMAO Nuk u don't fail to crack me up ... Lawdy, I did it for a solid 11 hours and I agree, it's really annoying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I don't know airlines be charging for anything and everything, and even when you're thin you still aint got space, I sat next to two people coming and going to Vegas and none of us were fat yet I was still cramped, I'm like fuck it im taking my shoes off to be comfy of course I took em off on the downlow where no one could see but I was so uncomfortable trying to sit there and such a tiny space for ANYONE they need more room they too busy trying to get more outta less Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidfresh832 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 that is one of the consequences of being a fatty. It is not fair to other customers to have to be shoved in between a family of whales. If you are a huge fatty and wanna fly then go your ass on a diet or spend more so your gut can lay to the side in the extra seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 that is one of the consequences of being a fatty. It is not fair to other customers to have to be shoved in between a family of whales. If you are a huge fatty and wanna fly then go your ass on a diet or spend more so your gut can lay to the side in the extra seat. so you saying the policy is fair then? Maybe we just feel sorry for fat people I don't know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidfresh832 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 so you saying the policy is fair then? Maybe we just feel sorry for fat people I don't know What about feeling sorry for the people inconvenienced by fat people? No one is making them eat fast food everyday and never exercise. This country has a huge weight problem anyway its like taxing cigarettes hurt their wallets and maybe their asses will be forced to do something about stopping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laveaux Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 that is one of the consequences of being a fatty. It is not fair to other customers to have to be shoved in between a family of whales. If you are a huge fatty and wanna fly then go your ass on a diet or spend more so your gut can lay to the side in the extra seat. exactly. just like the fat people who try to ride the roller coasters its not fair, but such is life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aed05 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 What about feeling sorry for the people inconvenienced by fat people? No one is making them eat fast food everyday and never exercise. This country has a huge weight problem anyway its like taxing cigarettes hurt their wallets and maybe their asses will be forced to do something about stopping This country does have a weight problem. So it would make more sense to simply make the seats bigger to accommodate your clientel. And taxing cigarettes didn't make people stop smoking. If anything we should tax the companies harder for selling cancer sticks and marketing to underage children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidfresh832 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 This country does have a weight problem. So it would make more sense to simply make the seats bigger to accommodate your clientel. And taxing cigarettes didn't make people stop smoking. If anything we should tax the companies harder for selling cancer sticks and marketing to underage children. Why would that make sense? retrofitting all airplanes for fat people? it isnt like they stop flying? It would be far more expensive to remodel all airplanes to accomodate fattys. If you HAVE to fly and are fat your ass will buy 2 tickets or find some other way to travel. there isnt anything you can do about it. if your job or something has you flying and you are fat you gotta do it. I didn't say it made people stop smoking nothing will do that even if they made it illegal like weed people would find a way to smoke if they want. But, at least its a good way to get extra cash from people that want to be dumb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 What about feeling sorry for the people inconvenienced by fat people? No one is making them eat fast food everyday and never exercise. This country has a huge weight problem anyway its like taxing cigarettes hurt their wallets and maybe their asses will be forced to do something about stopping yea but come on now some people are fat because it is out of their control, im thin because of genetics. I really don't have a clue how to solve this particular topic because it's fucked up all the way around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 how about we pay like you weigh? the less space you take up the less you pay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidfresh832 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 yea but come on now some people are fat because it is out of their control, im thin because of genetics. I really don't have a clue how to solve this particular topic because it's fucked up all the way around Of course genetics plays a role but we arent really talking about that. MOST people are fat cause they eat fast food every week and drink sodas and shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Of course genetics plays a role but we arent really talking about that. MOST people are fat cause they eat fast food every week and drink sodas and shit. I eat fast food sometimes and Im not fat, it sounds to me like you're saying hey you're fat because you's a lazy bitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 how about we pay like you weigh? the less space you take up the less you pay, so everyone gets weighed and measured and your ticket is priced according to how much u hold the plane down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidfresh832 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I eat fast food sometimes and Im not fat, it sounds to me like you're saying hey you're fat because you's a lazy bitch Key word being sometimes. I eat fast food sometimes too its the moderation part that alot of people miss. one of my best friends just lost a TON of weight and i know his eating habits getting seconds and thirds eating fast food for almost every meal instead of cooking something. I stopped drinking sodas when I was in middle school probably that shit is just awful for you with no redeeming qualities. Cutting out sodas alone is huge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Key word being sometimes. I eat fast food sometimes too its the moderation part that alot of people miss. one of my best friends just lost a TON of weight and i know his eating habits getting seconds and thirds eating fast food for almost every meal instead of cooking something. I stopped drinking sodas when I was in middle school probably that shit is just awful for you with no redeeming qualities. Cutting out sodas alone is huge. I hate pop with a passion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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