Filmmaker Smith lashes out at airline

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. film director Kevin Smith says he was unfairly forced to exit a Southwest Airlines flight in California after being deemed too overweight.

The "Clerks" director said via the social networking service Twitter he was forced to leave a flight from Oakland to Burbank after the flight's pilot determined Smith's weight was not in compliance with the airline's policies, KTXL-TV, Sacramento, Calif., reported Sunday.

Southwest Airlines requires passengers to be able to sit in a chair with at least one armrest down. If the passenger cannot, they must purchase an additional seat or exit the aircraft to make alternative travel arrangements.

Smith, 39, insists his weight did not make such a choice necessary Saturday as he was able to lower both armrests.

"I'm way fat, but I'm not there just yet," Smith, who failed to disclose his exact weight, said on Twitter. "I broke no regulation."

"Wanna tell me I'm too wide for the sky?" Smith added. "Totally cool, but fair warning folks: If you look like me, you may be ejected from Southwest Air."

KTXL said the comments from the "Chasing Amy" director prompted a Twitter apology from a Southwest Airlines representative.