Southwest discusses seat policy with fat acceptance group

ATLANTA - Sitting before a room of angry advocates for fat acceptance, officials from Southwest Airlines Friday affirmed support for the company&#39;s policy requiring passengers who fill more than one seat to buy a second. <br> <br> Critics of the policy pledged to continue their fight against the rule, which several called ``discriminatory.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance invited U.S. airlines to participate in a session at the group&#39;s national conference in Atlanta. <br> <br> American and Delta Air Lines each sent a customer service representative; Southwest sent its general counsel, Richard Ketler, and Lisa Anderson, director of customer advocacy. <br> <br> The 22-year-old policy drew widespread national attention in June when Southwest switched to a new boarding card system and reminded agents in an internal memo that large customers needed to buy two seats. <br> <br> Anderson said the policy is designed to make sure every Southwest customer has use of their entire seat. <br> <br> Southwest refunds the second-seat purchase when a flight is not oversold. Ketler said the company averages about a dozen refunds per day. <br> <br> Critics of the policy contend gate agents enforce it arbitrarily and without sensitivity, that the policy unfairly singles out one group and that they are not offered any mileage or other benefits by purchasing an additional seat.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/8/191507