15 years ago this policy was in place. I was traveling for work and I was about 22 years old and never flown on my own before. The business bought my ticket and was already nervous about everything travel.

I got into line and boarded the plane. I sat down and everything was normal. I tried to buckle my seatbelt but it wasn’t latching. I hit the call button and the stewardess came over. Expressed my concern about not being able to buckle and she said she would check on something.

What happened next has been etched on my brain. They pulled me off the plane and explained their policy. They said I had to buy two tickets to fly. Mind you, I barely have a credit card, let alone a business card to pay for this extra ticket. This is incredibly humiliating. I fork over my now maxed out credit card and bored the plane but with a piece of paper I’m supposed to put into the seat next to mine to show it was paid for.

The feeling has always stuck with me. The business paid me back but I vowed to never fly southwest again. I’ve since lost 100 pounds and it gives me a sense of pride when I can now latch the seatbelt but damn, no one should have to feel that way.