A TikToker has gone viral after her encounter with an airline staff member proved one thing: fatphobia remains alive and well.
In the clip, TikToker Grace Simpson (@graceplattesimpson) shared a troubling experience she had with Southwest Airlines. It has since amassed 573,200 views.
It started off in what appeared to be an airport bathroom.
What happened at the airport?
She explained that she was pulled aside at the gate, with the assistant telling her, “It’s been flagged to me that you might be a customer of size.” He said he wanted to tell her about the airline’s policy, which, in short, is that she had to buy two seats. Simpson said she wasn’t doing that, explaining that she has never been asked or had this conversation before. The assistant then told her he moved her and tried to reassure her about her appearance.
Visibly emotional, Simpson said, “Moments like this make me wanna crawl under a rock and live there forever.”
The camera then cut to a clip of Simpson seemingly in a car, as she explained that she recorded the conversation right after her interaction with the attendant. Upon reflection, she said she was “mad, appalled, and disappointed.” According to her, discriminating against fat people is still tolerated discrimination. She also noted that, despite not being the only large person on the plane, she was the only one approached.
This new approach, she added, feels like a “witch hunt against fat people” and a “money grab.” She said she was also troubled by a particular nuance of this purported policy. According to Simpson, when it comes to purchasing an extra seat, if the seat next to you happens to be empty, you will be refunded. However, if someone else wanted to buy a seat next to you and it’s not open, you’d get charged for it.
She ended the video by emphasizing that she felt embarrassed, belittled, and singled out.
@graceplattesimpson I had the worst flying experience of my life while flying @Southwest Airlines. I was a loyal customer, but not anymore. Their new policy truly discriminates against people of size. I have never been so mortified in my life. In my personal opinion, if an airline is going to strictly enforce such a policy there should be clear parameters and guidelines for how a person of size is classified. ##southwest##fyp##fypシ##plussize##southwestairlines ♬ original sound – Grace Simpson
What did commenters say?
Commenters were split. Some were supportive of Simpson, with one saying that Southwest Airlines is “inviting a class-action lawsuit.”
Another asked, “Would they treat a 6’5” muscular man the same way? That’s the real question.”
While a third pointed out, “THEY shrunk the size of their seats.”
However, others were less so. “Not that I’m agreeing with them, but nobody wants somebody else’s body squishing them into another seat,” a fourth wrote.
“If you’re spilling into the next seat, then yeah you should be required to buy a extra seat,” a fifth added. “Not sure why this is controversial.”
And a sixth levied, “I’m really asking…if you admit you spill over then what do you think the solution should be? Each seat costs money. Airplanes can only handle so much weight. I don’t know what a fair solution would be.”
What is Southwest Airlines’ policy?
Per the Southwest Airlines website, “customers of size” are expected to “proactively purchase” a second seat if they “encroach upon the neighboring seat.” However, the site notes that extra seats should not be purchased for the sole purpose of keeping the adjacent seat empty.
If it is “determined” that a customer needs a second seat, they are expected to purchase one there and then at the airport. If there aren’t available seats to do this, they will be rebooked on a different flight. Customers can then request a refund for the extra seat after travel, provided that: the flight has departed with at least one open seat, both seats are in the same fare class, and it is within 90 days of travel.
The TikToker issued two follow-ups
Simpson then made two follow-up videos.
In the first, she addressed some viewer comments. She specifically called out commenters who said that they hoped this was the wake-up call/push she needed to lose weight. Simpson pointed out that she had already undergone a gastric bypass, and that hurtful comments aren’t motivation.
She also singled out a commenter who posted screenshots of a video of Simpson working out. They wrote, “This is why they pulled you aside.”
In response, Simpson noted how “you hate a fat person either way.” As for the policy itself, she said that she understands, but that being squashed while flying is an “inevitable truth.” She closed the video by telling plus-sized people that they have “every right” to “take up space.”
Then, in a second follow-up, she responded to a commenter suggesting that she should sue. She asked her audience whether they thought she’d actually have a case.
Simpson didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment and TikTok direct message. Southwest Airlines didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via email.
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