Overweight Family On The Walkway

July 8, 2010

in Airport Stories

A couple of months ago I was late for a flight from JFK to SJU. I fly almost every month to SJU and I’ve become very familiar with the airport. After I got off the AirTran plane, I started running towards the walkway to the JetBlue terminal. They have moving walkways to go quickly from one end to the other. Right as I was about to enter the walkway, an overweight family decided to get in just before me. Moving walkways are designed so you keep walking at a faster pace and not for standing. I asked them to let me pass and was completely ignored. Concerned that I was going to miss my flight, I violently jerked my way around them and they started to insult me and yell at me. I ignored their comments and kept on running.

When I got to the security line, to my horror it was long. As I stood in there the heavyweights arrived too. TSA decided to open up a new line starting from them. When I got to the TSA agent he sent me to one of the scanners. Who was at the scanner before me? The +6 fat family from hell who apparently had never been to an airport. At this point I was so mad that I talked with one of the TSA agents who let me through another line.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Jody July 9, 2010 at 2:16 am

You're only partly correct about moving walkways. All the walkways I've seen (yes, at *different* airports) have a prominent sign to stand on the right and walk on the left.

It is frustrating to deal with people blocking the whole walkway. Did you ask them politely to move over and excuse yourself or did you just plow through first? If the former I can understand your frustration. If the latter, well you just appeared to be a self-important jerk.

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ps July 9, 2010 at 4:50 pm

it seems that the poster did ask to get thru but was ignored. if it was done politely, the off tackle move was warranted. i've dealt with similar travellers and had the same result but had enough time to get my connection. it is frustrating though, when you have an obstacle course on the walkway.

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Lon July 9, 2010 at 4:13 pm

What does the family being overweight have to do with anything? I vote for the self-important jerk explanation.

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Bob July 10, 2010 at 11:00 am

What does it say about you, who "fly nearly every month" when you are in such a hurry that you will shove your way around" fat people" who are "in your way" and have" probably never been in an airport" only to end up in line right in front of them ? I would say that it indicates that you are part of the reason that air travel is such a drag and you are simply an asshole. I would rather have the "fat family" as travel companions than a self important jerk off like you anyday.

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The Logger July 12, 2010 at 1:16 am

Fatties, screamers, seat kickers and stinkers must travel in baggage.

No exceptions.

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Laura July 13, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Part of flying is playing nice with people who aren't such SUPER AWESOME FREQUENT FLYERS as yourself. Your tone is bratty at best, but if they refused to move after you said "excuse me" or whatever then they deserved to get pushed.

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FlyFlyAway April 6, 2016 at 2:18 pm

Laura, it doesn't take a SUPER AWESOME FREQUENT FLYER to have the courtesy to move aside when asked politely. I've been in a hurry in the airport (I'm a SAFF as well) and asked people blocking me politely to let me pass ("Excuse me? May I get past you please?") only to be completely ignored. Then I strong arm my way through without apology. Sometimes playing nice just doesn't work.

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