Obese should buy two plane seats, says Australia survey

Originally posted by kattraxx
reply to post by RogerT

 

Hey Doc, some illnesses cause huge amounts of water weight gain. I saw it in my friend before his organ transplant. He went from a normal size to twice his weight very quickly, then back again. All water weight. Next time you're judging someone's lifestyle, please consider that they might actually be ill. So even if you believe overweight people don't deserve kindness, perhaps the ill might.

[P.S.] Great topic, KarlHungis.

Only thing I hate more than sitting next to fat people is sitting next to people that are sick. I'm sticking with the 1.5 seat ticket route.

maybe everyone should be weighed like a parcel in the post office, you pay so much per pound of flesh to fly?

[edit on 12-12-2007 by lilithP]

Some opinions in here are just completely misinformed and loose grasp of reality completely.

K, well, first, Airlines are PRIVATE companies, they are designed to make something called PROFIT. On a typical flight, Seattle to Sanfran, a MD-80 (like what Delta flies) for example, is going to use about 15000 pounds of fuel and dramaticaly more if it send into a holding pattern or to an alternate. It can carry 142 people.

Do you have any idea of how much money that costs to operate? Delta airlines for example, has 440 aircraft, yet over employs 50 000 people. Each aircraft has to pay the salaries of 114 people, and that doesn't include fuel, spare parts, leases, new aircraft and so on.

Look at airline profits, half the Legacy airlines in the world have filed for BANKRUPTCY.

The point I'm trying to make here, is Airlines cram as many people as they can into a plane for a reason. It's economical. They are NOT price gouging, that is full of #. Pilots for regional airlines usually don't even make $25000 a year yet pay over $60000 for the job, and then they somehow, in massive debt, need to pay for accomodation near an airport. Paying FOR a job? Oh gee, that makes sence.

Airlines MUST be price gouging to pay there FAT salaries.

And what if airlines lowered the amount of seats in an aircraft and raised prices to make up for it? They would go broke. Then we would have no airlines. And if ONE airline decided to raise prices for bigger seats, who on Earth do you think the average joe and soccer mom is going to fly on?

You guessed it, a CHEAPER airline with smaller seats. OzJet is a FANTASTIC example of this. Ouch.

Noone in an airline is forcing you to sit in that seat. If you don't like sitting next to some tub-of-lard, get up from your seat and nicely ask a Flight attendant if you can change seat. If she sais no, then tough. Deal with it or get OFF the plane. That's all there is to it.

No where in any airlines T&C do they state anything about refunds because you're sitting next to a fat person, nor do they state anything about changing seat because you're sitting next to tubby. Therefore, why exactly should an airline give you free tickets because YOU booked a ticked understanding very well that you may be seated next to an overweight person? That's YOUR fault, and if you don't like it, get off the plane, request a change in seating, or spend extra on buisness class.

Demanding refunds / free flights (LOL ) is not going to force the Airlines to do anything.

This law, as I explained earlier will NOT work. It simply WON'T WORK. If you don't like small seats, then that's YOUR fault, and if you don't like it, get off the plane, request a change in seating, or spend extra on buisness class.

I feel like I'm getting a Brain hemorrhage writing this post. I better take a break.

[edit on 12/12/2007 by C0bzz]

Yeah, it's our fault we don't like being sat on. We should definitely be inconvenienced by other people's health problems so that they don't have to be!

We sure suck for expecting people to pay their own way through life instead of buying a third of the space they take up on the airline for them!

Originally posted by Karlhungis
reply to post by jedimiller

 

Please justify why you should have the right to take up half of someone elses seat that they payed for? Or justify why the airline should pay to transport your extra gerth?

It isn't discrimination to force people to check their carry-on bags if they are too large. Perhaps they should come up with a similar system for passengers. Everyone should have to sit in a chair after they go through the metal detectors. If you can't fit in it properly, you can't fly or must pay for a bigger seat. It only seems fair to me.

What you are saying is that every human being is the same weight, same mass EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WRONG!!!! The airline should have more accomadating seats big enough for all sizes, instead they only care about the money thats all it is, the smaller the seats the more passengers they can squeeze in the more $$$$ they make... pathetic materialistic companys, making $$$ coming first before people...i know this is true because my sister in law works at a airline and is told that the seats are made small to accomadate more people to make more money...

PATHETIC!!!!!!!!

This is garbage and is separating ourselves as humans By BEING DISCRIMINATING it's not working together as one at all... PURE Garbage...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IMO, they should just create a seating system for all different sized people. Maintain a certain number of seats in every plane so everyone can be happy. If you are a smaller person and want to buy a smaller seat, you would be able to save some money by purchasing a smaller space. If you are larger, than buy a larger seat, for a little more money. Same goes for people who want more room to stretch out. Then if the plane is not filled up, people could move to a larger seat for free.

Maybe they can build a new design for seats which make them more customizable for space between flights, that way airlines do not waste money on an obese person with no room left for him/her to fit. Win-win situation for both smaller and larger people. As long as obese people don't start suing the airlines because they have to pay more for their situation.

reply to post by free_spirit_earth


For the love of god, PLEASE read my post above yours.
reply to post by mattifikation


Please read my post again.

No where in any airlines T&C do they state anything about refunds because you're sitting next to a fat person, nor do they state anything about changing seat because you're sitting next to tubby. Therefore, why exactly should an airline give you free tickets because YOU booked a ticked understanding very well that you may be seated next to an overweight person? That's YOUR fault, and if you don't like it, get off the plane, request a change in seating, or spend extra on buisness class.

It IS unfortunate people have to sit next to fatties... however what do you want Airlines to do? And if it annoys you so much, why exactly do you fly?

I have stated it quiet clearly that obese people should loose weight, though, I did forget to add that they should also buy two seats on aircraft.



[edit on 12/12/2007 by C0bzz]

[edit on 12/12/2007 by C0bzz]

reply to post by free_spirit_earth


In a perfect world you would be correct. It would be ideal that everyone gets the proper amount of space. However, as it has been pointed out several times already, it is economically impossible. Everyone would have to pay more, or nobody would be able to fly because the airlines would all go bankrupt.

I would be interested to hear you propose a successful business model that would keep ticket prices low, allow more space, and still allow the airlines to stay in business.

So..... I apid for my seat and now we should all pay more because SOME people can't stop stuffing their face? Absurd.

To all the fatties that feel put out....there is ALWAYS first class.


[edit on 12/12/2007 by SeeQ]

I never said free seats should be given to those who are seated next to obese people. That was somebody else. I disagree with that completely (although in the case of the lawsuit where somebody was actually injured, that's a special case.)

If you agree that people should pay for however many seats they occupy, we really aren't in disagreement about anything. I thought you were arguing that they shouldn't have to pay for two.

Reading through all this, I'm starting to make a few assumptions:

1. Some people think we're advocating making all overweight people pay for two seats. - Not true. If you fit in one seat, pay for one seat. If you take up space in the seat next to you, pay for that one also, so that the airline can leave the seat empty for others' convenience AND SAFETY.

2. Some people are actually in favor of the pay-for-two-seat idea because they just hate, or enjoy making fun of fat people, and some are just using this thread to make fat jokes. - I am not one of these people, and unless there's something that really compels me to post in this thread again I probably won't, just because I don't like what it's degenerated into. Hopefully this thread turns back into a discussion instead of a roast. If not, hopefully it gets closed.

3. Some people are convinced this is all about discriminating against overweight people. - I am not. I'm just arguing that if somebody uses something, they should pay for it. In addition to that, if I decide to lay my scrawny self across the seat sideways and want to occupy a whole three seat row with my legs, I should be allowed to do so as long as I pay for all three seats.

The problem is that where does one draw the line? Is it only fair to target fat people? Tall people get scrunched between their seat and the seat in front of them. Why should tall people NOT get a break on their air fare if the spacing between rows is inadequate? Tall people do not get to choose whether they want to be tall or not, but many US airlines do not take folks over 6 feet tall into consideration when they are designing their seating charts. Strangely enough, German and Scandinavian airlines DO seem to provide adequate space for tall people. Anyway, I do think it's okay for airlines to charge extra for overweight persons who take up more space than one seat, but then I also think that if I have to sit next to Mr. and Mrs. B.O. Cigarettesmoker that I should get a reduced rate. And I don't want to sit next to Ms. Chatterbox and Little Whiny Jenny and Big Brother Snotnosed Speedfreak CrystalMethhead either -- keep moving, screaming and kicking me for no reason, talking 'bout, "Here it comes! Oh boy, here it comes! Heyyyyyy." I should get reduced rates every time I have to sit next to one of those. And the next time I sit next to Mr. Everytwominutes Blackberry, I'm going to punch his lights out! If the airlines are going to charge overweight people more, then PLEASE charge me less to sit next to ALL of the other undesirables.

Ok.. back.. I just had to address this one. Tall people, people with blackberries, people with whatever random annoying habit you can think of... do NOT take up an extra seat.

Hasn't that already been addressed?

reply to post by kattraxx


OK, I'll concede there may be 1 in 100,000 fat people who are retaining excess water due to serious ill health. The other 99,999 just eat too much and/or don't move enough!

Funny how you don't see ANY fat rickshaw drivers.

In the old days there used to be balast.. what about offsetting thier luggage capacity..i mean i dont support arse baggage but hello welcome to reasonable sized people in little flying tubes...

Originally posted by mattifikation


1. Some people think we're advocating making all overweight people pay for two seats. - Not true. If you fit in one seat, pay for one seat. If you take up space in the seat next to you, pay for that one also, so that the airline can leave the seat empty for others' convenience AND SAFETY.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but if someone is so fat they 'spill over' into the seat next to them, won't they do that both sides, in other words, they are going to need 3 seats.

Aisle seat wouldn't work, as this blocks the aisle, which is a big no-no.

Window seat plus middle perhaps, but how many obese can actually get into the window seat?

OK, been thinking about this thread a bit, because I`ve got a long-haul flight coming up very soon...

I came across this site, which is part of the "fat rights movement"- they`ve got a section on airline travel that contained this little tidbit of advice:

ARMREST UP - When you get to your seat during pre-boarding, raise the armrest between seats. This may give you the inch or two of extra space you need. The chances are that the passenger who will be seated next to you won't say anything; if he does, smile pleasantly and say that you'll both be more comfortable if the armrest is up.

(emphasis mine)

The organization that put this on their web page is the largest, most influential fat person`s lobby group in the USA. This is advice that they are giving out to their membership.

So... ATSers on both sides of this issue:

What would you do?

Would you smile and nod and agree, in the face of all evidence, that you would be more comfortable pressing up against a total stranger for, say, a 15 hour trans-pacific flight?

Or would you tell them to keep to their own seat, with the armrest down?

reply to post by vox2442


I would most certainly ask the person to put the arm rest BACK DOWN NOW! Long plane trips are bad enough without being suffocated by someone else overflowing onto you.

I think what everyone seems to be forgetting is that most airlines already have special oversized seats in first class. I am not a little guy but I have yet to be on a plane that I am either

A) Uncomfortable or

B) Over flowing onto someone else.

And being that I used to be a rather large guy I can safely say that I have enough sense of decency that the one time I did fly when I was over 270 I did get a business class seat so as not to bother someone else with my blubber. Now that I have lost the weight I have no problem fitting into a normal airline seat comfortabley.

For all you "normal" size people that are having trouble fitting into a seat, you are probably not normal size.

And for those skinny people that can't get comfortable, you are doing it wrong

Finally, for all the fat people that get so indignant.

You are fat! If you do not like the trouble and discomfort of being fat, PUT DOWN THE FORK! Stay away from the corn syrup. Stop getting a king size snickers bars, a full bag of chips, and a diet coke when you go to 7-11, and for godsake stop getting pissed because most people think you're gross.

The reason most people think the Anti-Fats are so hateful is because we already subsidize your healthcare because you are UNHEALTHY and a BURDEN on the system. We have to sit half underneath your fat already on an airplane and you do make it hard to eat at restaurants because it is unsightly. (Morbid obesity that is) And now you are implying that we should subsidize your travel expenses as well! If you need more then one seat you pay for more then one seat. If you need more then 2 you should not be trying to fly. Rent a flat bed or something. I mean reallly. If you really need more then 1 whole seat on an airplane you have a much more serious problem then paying a little extra for you extra pounds. Instead of getting pissed at the people who are tired of you making your problems their problems, get pissed at yourselves and exercize.

Or

Fly first class and be comfortable

Or

Fly coach and know that you are ruining the experience for everyone around you.

I am sorry that some of you have taken offense to my opinion but I take offense to you forcing me to deal with your fat.

As far as some Fat putting the armrest up? When they smil and say "We'll both be more comfortable etc etc" Just smile and say politely back. "No, we'd both be more comfortable if you weren't such a fatass. Now please put the armrest down." Bet it comes down or the guy (or gal) makes such a disturbance that he (or she) gets ejected. Just push their buttons till they freak out, remain calm, and act as innocent as you are when the flight crew and/or Air Marshall comes to take fatty away.

[edit on 13-12-2007 by Tinhatman]

reply to post by mattifikation


No they do not. People with B.O. and sick people take up MY airspace. Chatterboxes and Blackberry bangers take up MY airspace. My airspace that is confined to MY seat. So, truthfully, what's the difference between someone's roll a fat taking up physical space from an extra seat when compared to the physical space that's filled noise, germs, smell, and crushed kneecaps in all of the other scenarios? There's no difference. When people pay for seats they also are paying for space. That's my point. If as a regular user my space gets inundated by all of the other things that would make my trip miserable, then I feel I should get a reduced rate.

In other words, if I were fat and I had to pay for an extra seat, then somehow I would also need to be compensated from dealing with chatterboxes, blackberry bangers, sick people, smelly people, and noisy people. It wouldn't be right that I would have to pay extra for the space I take up, and others do not pay for the extra space they take up.

reply to post by Areal51


Your logic escapes me. Having to hear someone talk is completely different then having someone physically touching you.

Now as far as germs go, they are inescapable in a normal enviroment. That being said, if someone has germs that you should have no expectation of coming into contact with ie. Tuberculosis, Flesh Eating Viruses, or whatever exotic ariborne contagion you can think of, and you become sick. Well, I think the airline may hold some small degree of liability for that and while I do not think the airline should be forced to pay for med bills they could at least comp your ticket

But to claim that someone typing into their crackberry or talking on their phone is in anyway the same as having someone rubbing up against your body with their's for 3+ hours is like syaing oggling a pretty woman is the same as walking up to her and grabbing her boob. Someone putting themselves into a postion to rub their body parts up against you without your permission is not the same as Talking on your phone.

If you take up extra space, pay for the extra space. I do not know what kind of world we live in that this is even in debate.

Now if some entrepenuer thinks he could make a buck flying planes with extra space for large people then they would probably do it.

But to imply or even come right out and advocate someone else subsidizing a large persons travel expenses is just ut of this world silly. That's what woudl happen if some airline had special "large person" seats that sold at regular price. OTHER PEOPLE WOULD BE PAYING FOR YOUR PLANE TICKET. If an airline does it willingly and you still fly on it, fine. But to think that people out there actually want the government to force the Airlines to have Subsidized fat seats is so freaking ludicrous as to be insanity.