xxbckiexx
09-09-2009, 10:35 AM
Man Says Airline Grounded Him For His Girth Reporting
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports that their trip out West went South when a man claimed he was picked on because of his size.
The man flew from Midway Airport to Las Vegas without incident. But when he tried to fly home to Midway several days later, he says he was prevented from doing so because of his girth.
Emery Orto has a canceled ticket from Southwest Airlines, which says, "OK to refund, did not travel." What it doesn't say is why the Park Forest man didn't fly last week.
"They gave us the impression I was too big or too fat to fly," Orto said.
For that reason, this 6-foot, 350-pound man says he was barred from flying home with his wife. Orto says he was 20 feet from getting on the plane when he was stopped.
"She hustled after me and grabbed me and she said 'Can you sit in an airplane seat with the arms down?' I told her yes, I could sit in the seat with the arms down, I've flown many times and never had a problem. And she said, 'Well, you're not flying today.'"
Clara Orto is still enraged about what happened to her husband of 43 years.
"I just can't believe how heartless they are," she said. "They had no reason to pick on him."
Orto says Southwest's decision cost them more than $800 and turned what should have been a four-hour trip home into a more than 19-hour odyssey.
"I would love a written apology, and I would love the money we were put out and something for our pain and suffering," Clara Orto said.
Emery Orto says what's most bothersome to him is that Southwest never tested whether he could actually fit in a seat with the arms down.
"That is absolutely my problem. They didn't test me in any way," he said.
Orto further wonders why Southwest allowed him to fly to Vegas only to prevent him from flying home.
"It was just absolutely humiliating and embarrassing," he said. "I hope that it never happens to anyone again."
Southwest says its policy has been in place for years and that Orto was arguing with an elevated voice in a belligerent tone. The airline also says that at least four passengers said they weren't comfortable flying after watching Orto lose his temper.
Southwest says in the end it was the anger issue that ultimately eclipsed the weight issue that led to Orto being barred from the plane.
So why was he allowed to fly to Vegas in the first place? Southwest says the Chicago crew simply made a mistake.
You would think being 6 feet tall and 350 lbs would be humiliating enough in itself!
Here's the porky puke himself.
http://imgsrv.wbbm780.com/image/DbGraphic/200909/1352079.jpg?1252498618
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports that their trip out West went South when a man claimed he was picked on because of his size.
The man flew from Midway Airport to Las Vegas without incident. But when he tried to fly home to Midway several days later, he says he was prevented from doing so because of his girth.
Emery Orto has a canceled ticket from Southwest Airlines, which says, "OK to refund, did not travel." What it doesn't say is why the Park Forest man didn't fly last week.
"They gave us the impression I was too big or too fat to fly," Orto said.
For that reason, this 6-foot, 350-pound man says he was barred from flying home with his wife. Orto says he was 20 feet from getting on the plane when he was stopped.
"She hustled after me and grabbed me and she said 'Can you sit in an airplane seat with the arms down?' I told her yes, I could sit in the seat with the arms down, I've flown many times and never had a problem. And she said, 'Well, you're not flying today.'"
Clara Orto is still enraged about what happened to her husband of 43 years.
"I just can't believe how heartless they are," she said. "They had no reason to pick on him."
Orto says Southwest's decision cost them more than $800 and turned what should have been a four-hour trip home into a more than 19-hour odyssey.
"I would love a written apology, and I would love the money we were put out and something for our pain and suffering," Clara Orto said.
Emery Orto says what's most bothersome to him is that Southwest never tested whether he could actually fit in a seat with the arms down.
"That is absolutely my problem. They didn't test me in any way," he said.
Orto further wonders why Southwest allowed him to fly to Vegas only to prevent him from flying home.
"It was just absolutely humiliating and embarrassing," he said. "I hope that it never happens to anyone again."
Southwest says its policy has been in place for years and that Orto was arguing with an elevated voice in a belligerent tone. The airline also says that at least four passengers said they weren't comfortable flying after watching Orto lose his temper.
Southwest says in the end it was the anger issue that ultimately eclipsed the weight issue that led to Orto being barred from the plane.
So why was he allowed to fly to Vegas in the first place? Southwest says the Chicago crew simply made a mistake.
You would think being 6 feet tall and 350 lbs would be humiliating enough in itself!
Here's the porky puke himself.
http://imgsrv.wbbm780.com/image/DbGraphic/200909/1352079.jpg?1252498618