YES! YES! A thousand times yes. The overweight folks who take up more than a seat-full SHOULD be charged for another seat. Seat belt extensions were created for pregnant women, not tubbies. And those who are pregnant, guess what- THEY DO FIT IN A NORMAL SEAT ! In my 25 years a flight crew member I saw what those so-called "medical condition" people ate while waiting for the plane at the gate. I ate healthy salads and stayed trim on airport food my entire career. It's called will power and choice. I'm with Jeeba - go for a walk instead of the triple cheeseburger with an -oh please spare me- DIET coke! What a joke! And what are they feeding their kids? How about carrying some veggies to munch on? It's easy and as far as I know it's still legal to bring what YOU want to eat with you anyway. Take some responsibility for what you are putting in that pie hole. Plan ahead , I did.
flightcrew2 - 13 years ago
YES! YES! A thousand times yes. The overweight folks who take up more than a seat-full SHOULD be charged for another seat. Seat belt extensions were created for pregnant women, not tubbies. And those who are pregnant, guess what- THEY DO FIT IN A NORMAL SEAT ! In my 25 years a flight crew member I saw what those so-called "medical condition" people ate while waiting for the plane at the gate. I ate healthy salads and stayed trim on airport food my entire career. It's called will power and choice. I'm with Jeeba - go for a walk instead of the triple cheeseburger with an -oh please spare me- DIET coke! What a joke! And what are they feeding their kids? How about carrying some veggies to munch on? It's easy and as far as I know it's still legal to bring what YOU want to eat with you anyway. Take some responsibility for what you are putting in that pie hole. Plan ahead , I did.
CF - 15 years ago
RE: "This is not fair to charge more. Some people who are heavy, are heavy due to a medical condition, that means they have no control over the weight. Why would we charge somone who has no control over their weight extra? Just like you have no control over who is ugly, or blonde, or dumb etc... This is also very demeaning towards the overweight person."
The airline policy to charge for 2 seats for someone who takes up 2 seats is completely fair. It's about how their weight directly affects what you are paying for- SPACE on an airline. You're not paying for a quiet space or a pleasant-smelling space (although these are all nice). A blonde person does not affect space. An non-itelligent person does not affect space. Children- maybe. Perhaps you should be required to purchase a seat now for children so they have their own space. But bottom line is, it doesn't matter WHY you take up more space, whether obesity is due to a medical condition or from eating McDonald's every day. It matters that you DO take up more space. I pay $200 for half of my seat, an obese person pays $200 for their seat and half of mine. Doesn't make much sense. Feelings are not a factor here, sorry. It's unfortunate that obese people's humiliation is at risk, but why didn't we have this issue 20 years ago? Right, because 64% of America was not obese. So yes, most cases are controllable if there was a time when the majority was not obese. It's not that people are "judging", it's reality that bigger people need more space on an airplane and to make it a fair payment process, they need to pay for more space.
Beach16 - 15 years ago
How about making planes with reasonable seating instead of trying to cram folks in like cattle?
Sue - 15 years ago
I can't believe all the "fatty"remarks in these comments...mostly angry and defensive ..and by those of weight...c'mon, the question is just that of the cost to get the plane off the ground...2 seats for someone who cannot fit into 1= payment for two seats. It doesn't matter why one is large; if you need more space, you pay for it. Just as you cannot give away your income, neither can the ailines. If they sell 2 seats, they must be paid for 2 seats. Our society is rapidly becoming overweight en masse; if airlines have to redesign and enlarge their seating, thus reducing the # of seats, you can bet the cost of a ticket will also increase exponentially. Fine, if that's what you want.. we'll ALL have to pay extra.
I, for one, take my seat, pull down the armrest that boundaries my paid-for seat, and if the next passenger cannot fit into their seat because they cannot encroach into mine, the airlines will have to deal with the situation, not me. A lady on a flight actually threatened me because I would not give up a portion of MY seat so SHE could be comfortable...it did not matter that I would now be pushed into the window... so now the armrest goes down and the headphones go on... talk to the stewardess.......
MO - 15 years ago
I am outraged to read all the disparaging comments and tantrums above. We really need to be compassionate with each other, that is the truth. Regardless of size, aroma or any other perceived state. Just as we say the baby crying is annoying, we get over it because it is just a fact of life. Adapt or drive yourself crazy, so we adapt. But it really seems as though we have a lot more work to do. I hope we can evolve on this topic and stop speaking and behaving with such contempt and disrespect towards heavy people.
whipitgirl - 15 years ago
I AM one of these people who have medical conditions that have apparently made me an abhor to 'normal' society and judged by people who have no clue who I am or my situation. It is automatically assumed that I'm a BK burger munchin slob who doesn't take care of herself according to many of societies profiling. My medication, what helps keep me remotely active and a productive member of society, their main side effect is weight gain. I have herniated discs in my back and 2 other chronic pain conditions (that resulted in me BEING a fatty as I wasn't before)
Isn't size profiling just as hurtful as racial profiling? We've become a society that is so enthralled with putting others down and being skinny, that we rarely stop to consider why it is that a person might be overweight. Then again, many of you just don't care enough to think beyond your own nose. Selfishness seems to be the way of the norm. There are plenty of people who don't take care of themselves and just don't care, but is it really fair to lump every person that carries extra weight (which according to statistics is 58 million people) into one critical criticized category that every person who is overweight is due to their own negligence and should be treated as thus? Do you think it's okay to call someone 'fatty' or laugh at them when they may be doing all in their power to reflect a positive self image?
Do you really think it's okay to give one person consideration over another because of their weight or appearance? In this day and age when we want to assume society has come so far along as to have an African American president, it's disturbing that a corporation of this size is directly implementing something so controversial. Sure, if the breeder parents with the squalling brat can let their kids run up and down the aisles and 'mm and aww how friggin cute' they are when in the meantime someone has been paraded about for being a few pounds overweight and subjected to having to purchase another seat but kids fly free? Pish Posh.
This is a very negative concept and I sure do hope that all of the 'fatties' stand up for their rights as we are no different than those of half our size. Being thinner doesn't make you any better. Perhaps a bit more compassion and humanity is necessary, of course you may be too busy swallowing your wheat germ rather than your pride.
Electrogirl - 15 years ago
Ahh, the refreshing breeze of human compassion and tolerance! It's simply amazing how well the readers of the Sun-Times empathize with their fellow human beings. I can just feel the sympathy for those large people who are obligated to fly for business reasons, whose companies will only pay for one seat. "Wow, I totally feel these fat people's pain! I'm 6'4", and airline passengers always give me the hairy eyeball when I dare to park my long legs and broad shoulders next to them." And, "Oh my god, Mr. Newman is so right! I'm a single mother with two kids under 5, and whenever I fly to see my relatives across the country I'm treated like a pariah on the airplanes! Nobody wants to sit next to the woman with a crying baby, never mind the fact that nothing I can do short of dangerous sedatives will make my baby stop crying."
No, of course compassion and understanding are too much to ask for. Because everyone knows that fat people CHOOSE to be fat in a society that treats them like shit for being so. They don't diet or exercise or undergo life-threatening surgery in desperate attempts to conform to the draconian dictates of the cult of thinness. It doesn't matter if people die from anorexia or complications from bariatric surgery. They were just blobs of fat, not real people.
I hope that every one of you who supports this blatantly discriminatory policy develops a medical condition that makes you fat, with no hope of ever losing weight. We'll see what song you sing once you've experienced life on the other side.
James - 15 years ago
Obese activists have posted this story to their obesity blogs and are causing a fuss. Good for the airlines for keeping the obese confined to a limited space. I don't care how they do it, they either stay within their boundaries or they don't fly. I work out every single day to keep from being that way. I fit in my seat. If they can't, then don't fly. These bloggers are amazing. They're morbidly obese and disrespectful, as well. They are the complaining obese. Disgraceful!
Jeeba - 15 years ago
It is about time someone takes a stand against this epidemic. Why do people insist on coddling these people. Get a grip. "oh, but its genetics" Really? There is a genetic condition that requires all meals to be supersized. I put in a lot of work and make sacrifices to be healthy. So, why should I have to pay the same amount when some fatty is requiring the plane to need more fuel. Why do I have to pay more in insurance because the fatties are driving up the cost of health care with all of their obesity related diseases. Stop watching TV. Try choking down a salad. And I don't know maybe go for a walk.
Shapelings - 15 years ago
"If you’re so terrorized by the thought of having your thigh touch someone else’s (and don’t get me wrong — I don’t LIKE that anymore than anybody else does, I’m just realistic about why it happens, which is that THE SEATS ARE TOO SMALL FOR PRACTICALLY EVERYBODY), just buy yourself a first class ticket! Or two seats for yourself! What? You say you can’t afford that? NEITHER CAN THE FAT CHICK NEXT TO YOU. What? Being next to her means your ride is uncomfortable? SO IS HERS, and you’re not the one sitting next to a total asshole!"
Paraphrased from Eve and Sarah H - 15 years ago
Essentially, what is going on here is that by penalizing the fat and rewarding the complainers-about-fat, United is deliberately cultivating a customer base who are bound and determined to support their too-tiny-seat plan (which doesn’t really work for anyone, thin folks included). They are choosing to indulge a widespread prejudice, because it distracts from the fact that their system does not work.
So basically, complainers, United is playing you. And you are falling for it. Shame on you.
I’d love to see an airline commercial saying, “We couldn’t be bothered to make most of our seats sized to the average passenger’s body. But if you pay us double or more to get you from point A to point B, you can get a seat where you are GUARANTEED not to have your body squished up against your neighboring passenger’s body, and GUARANTEED not to be looking down at the forehead of the reclined passenger in front of you, and GUARANTEED not to be bumped by the knees of the dude next to you with the gigantic phantom schlong.”
Yeah right.
christylove1 - 15 years ago
What’s “good for the gander is good for the goose.” Obese airline passengers want the right to infringe their size on others, while smokers are banded from engaging in their addiction in virtually all public environments. I believe the policy of buying two seats should be extended to all public arenas, such as theatres and other public transportation. My question is this, Why is one addiction more politically acceptable than the other? Both addictions breach the non-addicted individual’s expectation of comfort and encroach upon individual free choice to select a lifestyle absent these psychological maladies.
DC - 15 years ago
I pay for my seat, I don't need some one taking 1/2 of what I pay for. It violates my rights to allow another person to take what I paid for. I'm sorry they are fat, but that does not give them the right to impose upon my space.
Sylvia - 15 years ago
Yes, i am one of the obese people that all of you are talking about and for your information i do pay for an extra seat. But do to the economic recession i am planning to go to the BBW Network Events in Las Vegas Nevada and this time i won't be able to pay for an extra seat. I have already booked for the registration and hotel before i booked for my airline and i lost my job. I am sick and tired of people always judging us no matter where we go and looking at us. Have you notice that we have feeling also and today's society and yesterdays society has always judge us. Overweight people has never received anything nice about us in the public or on TV or in the newspapers. Everyone has always critized us and even the airlines. In January i flew West Jet and they informed me when i paid for 2 seats going to Orlando Florida that if the flights were not full that i would have a refund and i am still waiting for the refund because the flight was not full in both directions. West Jet flight attendants were letting people move to whatever seat they wanted to sit in. And you judge us i gather your parents didn't raise you properly to not judge unless you wanted to be judged. Remember someday everyone is going to meet their maker and then they will be judged. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES BACK AROUND AND REMEMBER THAT.
VK - 15 years ago
For the last few years airlines have come up with all sort or non-sense ways to charge passengers for stuff (from food and water to blankets and checked luggage). However, I'm glad they’ve finally done something about the obese people and I hope other airlines take this idea too. While it's true that certain medical conditions can lead to obesity, the vast majority are overweight simply because of their bad eating habits. Although charging obese people may be seen as discrimination, I see this as a health and safety issue affecting other passengers around them. I'm afraid that after being stuck next to somebody way over 300 pounds 1 of every 4 times I’ve traveled in the last 5 years (and these have been transatlantic flights to make it all worse) my level of understanding and consideration has just vanished. When I think about the 9-12 hours that I was not able to go to the toilet, stretch my legs, or simply move, I just think of the possibility of cystitis or thrombosis. Quite frankly since I did pay full fare for my seat is not fare that I only got to use half of it. Having a seat or a box in which you must fit in before you go through security, just like you do with your carry-on at the check-in desk, could resolve the issue objectively.
dtiger - 15 years ago
You you pay for your seat you should be able to sit in the whole seat, not having a big person in half your seat.
Get real. You must not fly much our you would not be so compassionate the next time a tub of guts flops down in the seat next to you and squeezes you againstb the bulkhead for the next four hours, while all the time stuffing some fast food burger down their throat.
While I agree that some cases of obesity can be considered a medical condition, most of the tubs I have encountered simply have no self control when it comes to food, no self respect for them selves, and no consideration for those around them.
justjenny - 15 years ago
Please, if you want to be comfortable, pay extra to fly first class. What about the kicking, screaming child I am forced to sit next to for 4 hours? The rest of us on the flight don't get compensated for that irritation. What about the smelly guy who hasn't showered in weeks that I am stuck next to or the woman wearing so much perfume it makes me gag? This is all about the airlines making more while providing less. How about a compromise? If the flight is not full, a larger person can be reseated in a more appropriate place. If the flight is expected to be full, they can wait until the next flight OR pay for 2 seats.
I guess they will have to have a coach seat set up at the check in counter with a sign that says "If you butt does not fit in this seat with the belt buckled and the armrest down, see the gate agent".
just me - 15 years ago
What's next? Putting in seats like Six Flags has in front of the ride line. As in, "If you can't fit into this seat" you have to buy 2 tickets?
sue ann - 15 years ago
I think they should charge others as well. For example, those who smell. I was once on a flight to Europe next to a person whose perfume was making me sick. My eyes where red and puffy, coughing and on the verge of throwing up and the airlines did nothing for me. Or I was once asked to change my perfectly good aisle seat, on a flight to Hawii, with an extremely tall man who had a middle seat. I was petite. I asked them if they had first class or business available to move me to, they said no, therefore I said no.
My point is, there will never be equity.
jurisdoctor - 15 years ago
Some people who are heavy, are heavy due to a medical condition, that means they have no control over the weight.
Yeah..A very tiny percentage of fat people...for the rest, their health condition is being fat... I applaud the airlines.. If you've ever had to sit next to a fat, smelly person for a 4 hour flight you would feel the same way. If the airlines don't charge them for 2 seats, can we call the national guard to prevent their fat folds from invading our seats?
GENEVA - 15 years ago
This is not fair to charge more. Some people who are heavy, are heavy due to a medical condition, that means they have no control over the weight. Why would we charge somone who has no control over their weight extra? Just like you have no control over who is ugly, or blonde, or dumb etc... This is also very demeaning towards the overweight person. Instead the airlines should provide a couple of rows with bigger chairs. I am not heavy at all, I am just a very compassionate person towards all makes and models of the human race.
The other option would be to charge everyone by weight. so many dollars per pound, this way everyone is being charged accordingly. I am very shocked by the poll, we have alot of uncaring self judging people in the world. If a person is fat, they are still a person. Fat people have feelings too, they are not exempt just because they are fat. Lets not even go there. I think the airlines make plenty of money off the people, lets not try to figure out how to single out one particular crowd for monetary value, its a low stoop.Lets try to be more kinder to are neighbors and less self serving to major companies who dont really care about any of you people, just your wallets.
Dan Moon - 15 years ago
Increased Payload costs increased fuel. Fuel costs money. Fat people cost more. Pretty simple, isn't it?
Tom S. - 15 years ago
I agree,why should the person in the next seat be uncomfortable by twisting and bending to accommodate a larger person sitting next to them.They paid for their tickets to be comfortable too.
YES! YES! A thousand times yes. The overweight folks who take up more than a seat-full SHOULD be charged for another seat. Seat belt extensions were created for pregnant women, not tubbies. And those who are pregnant, guess what- THEY DO FIT IN A NORMAL SEAT ! In my 25 years a flight crew member I saw what those so-called "medical condition" people ate while waiting for the plane at the gate. I ate healthy salads and stayed trim on airport food my entire career. It's called will power and choice. I'm with Jeeba - go for a walk instead of the triple cheeseburger with an -oh please spare me- DIET coke! What a joke! And what are they feeding their kids? How about carrying some veggies to munch on? It's easy and as far as I know it's still legal to bring what YOU want to eat with you anyway. Take some responsibility for what you are putting in that pie hole. Plan ahead , I did.
YES! YES! A thousand times yes. The overweight folks who take up more than a seat-full SHOULD be charged for another seat. Seat belt extensions were created for pregnant women, not tubbies. And those who are pregnant, guess what- THEY DO FIT IN A NORMAL SEAT ! In my 25 years a flight crew member I saw what those so-called "medical condition" people ate while waiting for the plane at the gate. I ate healthy salads and stayed trim on airport food my entire career. It's called will power and choice. I'm with Jeeba - go for a walk instead of the triple cheeseburger with an -oh please spare me- DIET coke! What a joke! And what are they feeding their kids? How about carrying some veggies to munch on? It's easy and as far as I know it's still legal to bring what YOU want to eat with you anyway. Take some responsibility for what you are putting in that pie hole. Plan ahead , I did.
RE: "This is not fair to charge more. Some people who are heavy, are heavy due to a medical condition, that means they have no control over the weight. Why would we charge somone who has no control over their weight extra? Just like you have no control over who is ugly, or blonde, or dumb etc... This is also very demeaning towards the overweight person."
The airline policy to charge for 2 seats for someone who takes up 2 seats is completely fair. It's about how their weight directly affects what you are paying for- SPACE on an airline. You're not paying for a quiet space or a pleasant-smelling space (although these are all nice). A blonde person does not affect space. An non-itelligent person does not affect space. Children- maybe. Perhaps you should be required to purchase a seat now for children so they have their own space. But bottom line is, it doesn't matter WHY you take up more space, whether obesity is due to a medical condition or from eating McDonald's every day. It matters that you DO take up more space. I pay $200 for half of my seat, an obese person pays $200 for their seat and half of mine. Doesn't make much sense. Feelings are not a factor here, sorry. It's unfortunate that obese people's humiliation is at risk, but why didn't we have this issue 20 years ago? Right, because 64% of America was not obese. So yes, most cases are controllable if there was a time when the majority was not obese. It's not that people are "judging", it's reality that bigger people need more space on an airplane and to make it a fair payment process, they need to pay for more space.
How about making planes with reasonable seating instead of trying to cram folks in like cattle?
I can't believe all the "fatty"remarks in these comments...mostly angry and defensive ..and by those of weight...c'mon, the question is just that of the cost to get the plane off the ground...2 seats for someone who cannot fit into 1= payment for two seats. It doesn't matter why one is large; if you need more space, you pay for it. Just as you cannot give away your income, neither can the ailines. If they sell 2 seats, they must be paid for 2 seats. Our society is rapidly becoming overweight en masse; if airlines have to redesign and enlarge their seating, thus reducing the # of seats, you can bet the cost of a ticket will also increase exponentially. Fine, if that's what you want.. we'll ALL have to pay extra.
I, for one, take my seat, pull down the armrest that boundaries my paid-for seat, and if the next passenger cannot fit into their seat because they cannot encroach into mine, the airlines will have to deal with the situation, not me. A lady on a flight actually threatened me because I would not give up a portion of MY seat so SHE could be comfortable...it did not matter that I would now be pushed into the window... so now the armrest goes down and the headphones go on... talk to the stewardess.......
I am outraged to read all the disparaging comments and tantrums above. We really need to be compassionate with each other, that is the truth. Regardless of size, aroma or any other perceived state. Just as we say the baby crying is annoying, we get over it because it is just a fact of life. Adapt or drive yourself crazy, so we adapt. But it really seems as though we have a lot more work to do. I hope we can evolve on this topic and stop speaking and behaving with such contempt and disrespect towards heavy people.
I AM one of these people who have medical conditions that have apparently made me an abhor to 'normal' society and judged by people who have no clue who I am or my situation. It is automatically assumed that I'm a BK burger munchin slob who doesn't take care of herself according to many of societies profiling. My medication, what helps keep me remotely active and a productive member of society, their main side effect is weight gain. I have herniated discs in my back and 2 other chronic pain conditions (that resulted in me BEING a fatty as I wasn't before)
Isn't size profiling just as hurtful as racial profiling? We've become a society that is so enthralled with putting others down and being skinny, that we rarely stop to consider why it is that a person might be overweight. Then again, many of you just don't care enough to think beyond your own nose. Selfishness seems to be the way of the norm. There are plenty of people who don't take care of themselves and just don't care, but is it really fair to lump every person that carries extra weight (which according to statistics is 58 million people) into one critical criticized category that every person who is overweight is due to their own negligence and should be treated as thus? Do you think it's okay to call someone 'fatty' or laugh at them when they may be doing all in their power to reflect a positive self image?
Do you really think it's okay to give one person consideration over another because of their weight or appearance? In this day and age when we want to assume society has come so far along as to have an African American president, it's disturbing that a corporation of this size is directly implementing something so controversial. Sure, if the breeder parents with the squalling brat can let their kids run up and down the aisles and 'mm and aww how friggin cute' they are when in the meantime someone has been paraded about for being a few pounds overweight and subjected to having to purchase another seat but kids fly free? Pish Posh.
This is a very negative concept and I sure do hope that all of the 'fatties' stand up for their rights as we are no different than those of half our size. Being thinner doesn't make you any better. Perhaps a bit more compassion and humanity is necessary, of course you may be too busy swallowing your wheat germ rather than your pride.
Ahh, the refreshing breeze of human compassion and tolerance! It's simply amazing how well the readers of the Sun-Times empathize with their fellow human beings. I can just feel the sympathy for those large people who are obligated to fly for business reasons, whose companies will only pay for one seat. "Wow, I totally feel these fat people's pain! I'm 6'4", and airline passengers always give me the hairy eyeball when I dare to park my long legs and broad shoulders next to them." And, "Oh my god, Mr. Newman is so right! I'm a single mother with two kids under 5, and whenever I fly to see my relatives across the country I'm treated like a pariah on the airplanes! Nobody wants to sit next to the woman with a crying baby, never mind the fact that nothing I can do short of dangerous sedatives will make my baby stop crying."
No, of course compassion and understanding are too much to ask for. Because everyone knows that fat people CHOOSE to be fat in a society that treats them like shit for being so. They don't diet or exercise or undergo life-threatening surgery in desperate attempts to conform to the draconian dictates of the cult of thinness. It doesn't matter if people die from anorexia or complications from bariatric surgery. They were just blobs of fat, not real people.
I hope that every one of you who supports this blatantly discriminatory policy develops a medical condition that makes you fat, with no hope of ever losing weight. We'll see what song you sing once you've experienced life on the other side.
Obese activists have posted this story to their obesity blogs and are causing a fuss. Good for the airlines for keeping the obese confined to a limited space. I don't care how they do it, they either stay within their boundaries or they don't fly. I work out every single day to keep from being that way. I fit in my seat. If they can't, then don't fly. These bloggers are amazing. They're morbidly obese and disrespectful, as well. They are the complaining obese. Disgraceful!
It is about time someone takes a stand against this epidemic. Why do people insist on coddling these people. Get a grip. "oh, but its genetics" Really? There is a genetic condition that requires all meals to be supersized. I put in a lot of work and make sacrifices to be healthy. So, why should I have to pay the same amount when some fatty is requiring the plane to need more fuel. Why do I have to pay more in insurance because the fatties are driving up the cost of health care with all of their obesity related diseases. Stop watching TV. Try choking down a salad. And I don't know maybe go for a walk.
"If you’re so terrorized by the thought of having your thigh touch someone else’s (and don’t get me wrong — I don’t LIKE that anymore than anybody else does, I’m just realistic about why it happens, which is that THE SEATS ARE TOO SMALL FOR PRACTICALLY EVERYBODY), just buy yourself a first class ticket! Or two seats for yourself! What? You say you can’t afford that? NEITHER CAN THE FAT CHICK NEXT TO YOU. What? Being next to her means your ride is uncomfortable? SO IS HERS, and you’re not the one sitting next to a total asshole!"
Essentially, what is going on here is that by penalizing the fat and rewarding the complainers-about-fat, United is deliberately cultivating a customer base who are bound and determined to support their too-tiny-seat plan (which doesn’t really work for anyone, thin folks included). They are choosing to indulge a widespread prejudice, because it distracts from the fact that their system does not work.
So basically, complainers, United is playing you. And you are falling for it. Shame on you.
I’d love to see an airline commercial saying, “We couldn’t be bothered to make most of our seats sized to the average passenger’s body. But if you pay us double or more to get you from point A to point B, you can get a seat where you are GUARANTEED not to have your body squished up against your neighboring passenger’s body, and GUARANTEED not to be looking down at the forehead of the reclined passenger in front of you, and GUARANTEED not to be bumped by the knees of the dude next to you with the gigantic phantom schlong.”
Yeah right.
What’s “good for the gander is good for the goose.” Obese airline passengers want the right to infringe their size on others, while smokers are banded from engaging in their addiction in virtually all public environments. I believe the policy of buying two seats should be extended to all public arenas, such as theatres and other public transportation. My question is this, Why is one addiction more politically acceptable than the other? Both addictions breach the non-addicted individual’s expectation of comfort and encroach upon individual free choice to select a lifestyle absent these psychological maladies.
I pay for my seat, I don't need some one taking 1/2 of what I pay for. It violates my rights to allow another person to take what I paid for. I'm sorry they are fat, but that does not give them the right to impose upon my space.
Yes, i am one of the obese people that all of you are talking about and for your information i do pay for an extra seat. But do to the economic recession i am planning to go to the BBW Network Events in Las Vegas Nevada and this time i won't be able to pay for an extra seat. I have already booked for the registration and hotel before i booked for my airline and i lost my job. I am sick and tired of people always judging us no matter where we go and looking at us. Have you notice that we have feeling also and today's society and yesterdays society has always judge us. Overweight people has never received anything nice about us in the public or on TV or in the newspapers. Everyone has always critized us and even the airlines. In January i flew West Jet and they informed me when i paid for 2 seats going to Orlando Florida that if the flights were not full that i would have a refund and i am still waiting for the refund because the flight was not full in both directions. West Jet flight attendants were letting people move to whatever seat they wanted to sit in. And you judge us i gather your parents didn't raise you properly to not judge unless you wanted to be judged. Remember someday everyone is going to meet their maker and then they will be judged. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES BACK AROUND AND REMEMBER THAT.
For the last few years airlines have come up with all sort or non-sense ways to charge passengers for stuff (from food and water to blankets and checked luggage). However, I'm glad they’ve finally done something about the obese people and I hope other airlines take this idea too. While it's true that certain medical conditions can lead to obesity, the vast majority are overweight simply because of their bad eating habits. Although charging obese people may be seen as discrimination, I see this as a health and safety issue affecting other passengers around them. I'm afraid that after being stuck next to somebody way over 300 pounds 1 of every 4 times I’ve traveled in the last 5 years (and these have been transatlantic flights to make it all worse) my level of understanding and consideration has just vanished. When I think about the 9-12 hours that I was not able to go to the toilet, stretch my legs, or simply move, I just think of the possibility of cystitis or thrombosis. Quite frankly since I did pay full fare for my seat is not fare that I only got to use half of it. Having a seat or a box in which you must fit in before you go through security, just like you do with your carry-on at the check-in desk, could resolve the issue objectively.
You you pay for your seat you should be able to sit in the whole seat, not having a big person in half your seat.
Hey Geneva,
Get real. You must not fly much our you would not be so compassionate the next time a tub of guts flops down in the seat next to you and squeezes you againstb the bulkhead for the next four hours, while all the time stuffing some fast food burger down their throat.
While I agree that some cases of obesity can be considered a medical condition, most of the tubs I have encountered simply have no self control when it comes to food, no self respect for them selves, and no consideration for those around them.
Please, if you want to be comfortable, pay extra to fly first class. What about the kicking, screaming child I am forced to sit next to for 4 hours? The rest of us on the flight don't get compensated for that irritation. What about the smelly guy who hasn't showered in weeks that I am stuck next to or the woman wearing so much perfume it makes me gag? This is all about the airlines making more while providing less. How about a compromise? If the flight is not full, a larger person can be reseated in a more appropriate place. If the flight is expected to be full, they can wait until the next flight OR pay for 2 seats.
I guess they will have to have a coach seat set up at the check in counter with a sign that says "If you butt does not fit in this seat with the belt buckled and the armrest down, see the gate agent".
What's next? Putting in seats like Six Flags has in front of the ride line. As in, "If you can't fit into this seat" you have to buy 2 tickets?
I think they should charge others as well. For example, those who smell. I was once on a flight to Europe next to a person whose perfume was making me sick. My eyes where red and puffy, coughing and on the verge of throwing up and the airlines did nothing for me. Or I was once asked to change my perfectly good aisle seat, on a flight to Hawii, with an extremely tall man who had a middle seat. I was petite. I asked them if they had first class or business available to move me to, they said no, therefore I said no.
My point is, there will never be equity.
Some people who are heavy, are heavy due to a medical condition, that means they have no control over the weight.
Yeah..A very tiny percentage of fat people...for the rest, their health condition is being fat... I applaud the airlines.. If you've ever had to sit next to a fat, smelly person for a 4 hour flight you would feel the same way. If the airlines don't charge them for 2 seats, can we call the national guard to prevent their fat folds from invading our seats?
This is not fair to charge more. Some people who are heavy, are heavy due to a medical condition, that means they have no control over the weight. Why would we charge somone who has no control over their weight extra? Just like you have no control over who is ugly, or blonde, or dumb etc... This is also very demeaning towards the overweight person. Instead the airlines should provide a couple of rows with bigger chairs. I am not heavy at all, I am just a very compassionate person towards all makes and models of the human race.
The other option would be to charge everyone by weight. so many dollars per pound, this way everyone is being charged accordingly. I am very shocked by the poll, we have alot of uncaring self judging people in the world. If a person is fat, they are still a person. Fat people have feelings too, they are not exempt just because they are fat. Lets not even go there. I think the airlines make plenty of money off the people, lets not try to figure out how to single out one particular crowd for monetary value, its a low stoop.Lets try to be more kinder to are neighbors and less self serving to major companies who dont really care about any of you people, just your wallets.
Increased Payload costs increased fuel. Fuel costs money. Fat people cost more. Pretty simple, isn't it?
I agree,why should the person in the next seat be uncomfortable by twisting and bending to accommodate a larger person sitting next to them.They paid for their tickets to be comfortable too.