Note to Southwest Airlines

If you have a celebrity on one of your flights, especially a respected one with a group of loyal followers who he keeps a constant dialogue with, you do not treat that person with disrespect. Word will get out and generate a great deal of negative press. Overweight people are becoming a larger and larger demographic (in both ways) and to alienate an entire growing contingent of Americans is not the best idea for a business.

Can one person really drag down a flight? How do they decide, does the pilot come out and start poking the overweight party in question? You don't know how much weight is jammed into the overhead compartments, or below deck in luggage. One person can't make that great a difference.

Another bad idea is broadcasting an individual's travel habits in an insincere apology. It is a violation of privacy and very unprofessional.

Here's a solution...instead of trying to cover up your mistakes with your see-through corporate condolences...do something about your problem! Offer wider seats! Don't single out people and embarrass them in public. Admit your fault, and turn the negative into a positive. We live in a forgiving culture...repent and offer some plus-size promotions, and you can have overweight people everywhere flying your airline.

But no, you'll go with the typical response of "well...it's not our fault," and spew nonsense about it being your policy. Times change...people change...and guess what, you need be ready to alter your precious policies to adapt to these changes.

Here's a new slogan for you:

You're now free to move about the country...unless you're overweight, then you might as well just roll yourself to your destination cause you're not getting our planes, tubby.

Sounds about right.

-- Steve Creswick
Steve Creswick.org