LB,
I don't think anything I said was an attack. Being overweight (well, i guess I could be categorized as obese), I understand what you're saying. Still, this was about someone who seriously would have invaded the space of another person in a very confining airplane.
I have minor claustrophobia, and being on a airplane for me makes my blood pressure go up. I am not only terrified to fly, but I feel like I can't breathe sometimes, because the airplane is so crampt.
Now, if one of those claustrophobic people was on the inside of an isle, and this 800 pound woman set next to them, I know that I would have a massive panic attack. Now, I don't know if you've had them, but they aren't pretty. Panic attacks, for me, are embarassing.
Because they have lousy self esteem. "You are fat and I am not. I am better than you".
I have no bias about fat people, but then again, I don't take my weight seriously. I know I'm big. Sometimes I pat the belly and make a joke. I make jokes about myself all of the time. What's good for the goose....
Would I prefer to be smaller? Sure. Is fat a big deal? Not really.
The 'fat people are smelly' comment was way out of line. I didn't say that. Agree with you there.
In the end, this is more about stingy airlines than about weight.
What about my Comfort Zone seating idea? Do you think that would be feasible?
ash