If you’ve got luggage that is extra heavy, you’ve got to pay extra bucks, right? Starting in March of next year, if you’ve got extra weight on your body, you’ll need to pay out some extra bucks, too.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that AirTran will ask “customers of size” to buy a second seat starting in March. AirTran — whose slogan ("Go. There's Nothing Stopping You") might need updating — was purchased earlier this year by Southwest Airlines, which has such a policy in place.

Who is too big for just one seat? That distinction will be at "the carrier's sole discretion," AJC reports, so be sure to wear something that makes you look slim when you get to the airport.

AirTran parent Southwest defines customers that need more than one seat as “those who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat[s],” the Journal-Constitution reports. (Have they flown economy lately?)

For those who have been affected by the rule on Southwest – fewer than one half of 1 percent of the airline’s customers – they are given the option of a refund on the second ticket if the flight isn’t full.

Southwest, of course, is famous for hassling the likes of director Kevin Smith about his size, a PR black eye that doesn't seem to have deterred them from eyeing passengers' girth. At least they're no longer threatening to eject customers from "too narrow" seats — just make them pay for another.Continue reading...

In its continuing push on original content, AOL this week adds a late-night programming block featuring Kevin Smith, Adam Corolla and Kevin Pollak.

The portal also just hired Heidi Klum and Full Picture Entertainment, the production company behind Project Runway, to produce “engaging video content, inspiring articles, addictive blogs (and) instructional photo galleries" for the site.

AGL to buy Nicor in huge natural-gas deal.

AT&T deals with failing grade by Consumer Reports.

Bank of America tops mobile banking apps in new study.

BP weighs sale of North Sea assets to help pay for Gulf clean-up.

Bright Food of China nears purchase of GNC.

DecorMyEyes Google-abuser arrested as Google boosts "nicer" advertisers.Continue reading...

Hey, have you heard of this Twitter thing? If Southwest Airlines hadn't before Sunday, they certainly have now.

Kevin Smith, director and actor, is known both for his oversized personality and his oversized physique. He's a big guy, and admits as much. On a recent flight on Southwest, Smith was removed from the plane for being, well, too fat. Smith immediately took to Twitter, railing against the airline in a litany of tweets. Soon, the blogging media was onto Smith's experience and started promoting the rants. The snowball was rolling downhill.

Of course Southwest knows about Twitter. As every good brand should, they maintain their own Twitter feed. The brand immediately responded to Smith's tweets, apologizing. Smith was unappeased. His rants continued and are still going on. Southwest tweeted replies. Finally, Larry King got in on the action, tweeting that Smith would be on his show to... complain further.Continue reading...

MetroPCS enlists investment bankers for acquisition advice. [WSJ]

Gawker Media makes its first purchase: "people directory" CityFile. [NY Times]

Qualcomm creates its own e-reader, but with color. [LA Times]

Presidents Day brings a boost in vehicle sales to dealerships. [Boston Herald]

New Tums campaign stresses its quick acting formula. [Brandweek]

Brands of all sorts seek coverage at New York Fashion Week. [Reuters]Continue reading...