Plus-size travel influencer Jaelynn Chaney, often known as Jae Bae, has expanded her fat-pride campaign to include ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Chaney, who has previously lobbied for airlines to provide more free seats for obese customers, recently produced a TikTok video pushing ridesharing businesses to compel their drivers to carry seatbelt extenders for plus-size passengers.
“Every time I take a rideshare, I am compelled to go without a seatbelt because no belt extenders are available. “This is a common problem for many plus-size people,” she stated in the caption of her video. Chaney underlined that this is not simply a nuisance, but also a safety problem, and that rideshare companies should be required to supply at least one seat belt extender each car.
Chaney can be seen in the video getting into the passenger seat of a sedan to demonstrate her point. She explained that, despite always carrying a “universal” seatbelt extender, they frequently do not work. She offered that firms like Uber and Lyft reimburse drivers for the cost of seatbelt extenders, which can be purchased for as little as $12 on Amazon. “If every motorist carried at least one seatbelt extender that was specifically designed for their vehicle, this problem could be avoided. “Safety for all sizes SHOULD NOT be optional,” she stated.
The majority of commenters on her video were unsympathetic, with some suggesting that the responsibility lies with Chaney to lose weight rather than with the rideshare companies. “Not trying to be rude, but if you need an extender to use a seatbelt in a car, that should be a sign to lock in and lose some weight,” one viewer wrote.
Chaney, who has said she feels a divine calling to advocate for fat people, often uses her social media platforms to highlight discrimination she faces as a plus-size individual, particularly in airports. She recently shared an incident at Chicago O’Hare airport where she got stuck in a revolving door and claimed that staff did nothing to help her. Despite not needing a wheelchair for daily mobility, she was being pushed through the airport in one when the incident occurred.
Her advocacy work is not limited to airlines and rideshare services. Chaney’s petition to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate airlines to provide free seats to obese passengers has garnered over 39,000 signatures. She argues that airlines should accommodate plus-size travelers to ensure their safety and comfort during flights.
Chaney’s weight has not hindered her from finding romantic partners. She revealed in a recent video that the same “gym rats” who troll her on TikTok also proposition her for sex on Tinder. Chaney is currently in a polyamorous relationship with her husband.
Despite the criticism she faces, Chaney continues to push for changes that she believes will make travel safer and more comfortable for plus-size individuals. Her efforts to raise awareness and advocate for inclusivity have sparked conversations about the challenges faced by plus-size travelers and the need for more accommodating policies in various industries.
