Plus-size travel influencer Jaelynn Chaney, known as Jae Bae, has expanded her fat-pride activism to include rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Chaney, who has previously advocated for airlines to provide extra free seats for obese passengers, posted a video on TikTok urging rideshare companies to require their drivers to carry seatbelt extenders for plus-size passengers.
“Every time I use a rideshare, I’m forced to go without a seatbelt because no belt extenders are available. This is a common issue for many plus-size individuals,” she wrote in the caption of her video. Chaney emphasized that this issue is not just an inconvenience but a safety hazard, stating that it should be mandatory for rideshares to provide at least one seatbelt extender per vehicle.
In the video, Chaney is seen getting into the passenger seat of a sedan to illustrate her point. She explained that despite always bringing a “universal” seatbelt extender with her, they often do not work. She proposed that companies like Uber and Lyft should reimburse drivers for the cost of seatbelt extenders, which are available for as low as $12 on Amazon. “If each driver carried at least one seatbelt extender specifically fitted for their vehicle, this problem could be eliminated. Safety for all sizes SHOULD NOT be optional,” she concluded.
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.