Taking Sides: Should Obese Passengers Pay More?

Southwest says that fewer than one in 200 passengers are affected by its policy

Aren't way more than 0.5% of Americans obese?

I guess 0.5% of them aren't dumplings.

Southwest says that fewer than one in 200 passengers are
affected by its policy,

Aren't way more than 0.5% of Americans obese?

Probably are, but there are many countries that trail by only a % or two.
It's becoming a world wide problem.

Southwest says that fewer than one in 200 passengers are affected by its policy,

Aren't way more than 0.5% of Americans obese?

Yes, but not so obese that they cant get the armrests down.

should carriers determine who's obese? Take a side and make your argument!

people should pay for the space they occupy.

That's not an unreasonable proposal, but I'd still urge everyone to take
an essentially reverse approach to the problem involved:

Our concern -- our *only* concern -- should be that if we pay for a
seat, we should get that seat, meaning *all* of that seat (but not more
than all of it).

What airlines may have to do, and/or what other larger-sized passengers
may have to do -- how they have to solve the problem in order to
guarantee this, and not impinge on our seats -- is really up to them,
and should not be either our problem or our business.

If you flow over your seat or into the aisle (that includes
your arms, not just your torso), you should buy 2 seats, and you
shouldn't have to be told to do so. it's just common courtesy.

Does that include normal-weight people who are very broad-shouldered,
like a lot of men? Doesn't sound quite fair to me.

Marsha/Ohio

If you flow over your seat or into the aisle (that includesyour arms, not just your torso), you should buy 2 seats, and you shouldn't have to be told to do so. it's just common courtesy.

Does that include normal-weight people who are very broad-shouldered,
like a lot of men? Doesn't sound quite fair to me.

If their shoulders encroach on my personal space, then yes, it does.

It is not your personal space. It is the airlines space, limited by
their efforts to squeeze more seats into a plane. Some airlines have
comfortable seating, but others are not. Never the less, it is not your
space.

[Rik Brown]

Our concern -- our *only* concern -- should be that if we pay for a
seat, we should get that seat, meaning *all* of that seat (but not more
than all of it).

What airlines may have to do, and/or what other larger-sized passengers
may have to do -- how they have to solve the problem in order to
guarantee this, and not impinge on our seats -- is really up to them,
and should not be either our problem or our business.

I've seen it suggested elsewhere that there be a box like the ones used to check the allowable size of carry-on luggage and apply the same concept to passenger size. If a passenger doesn't fit, they would be required to purchase two seats or go first class.

I agree that I've paid for my seat (I'm 6 foot tall) and that I should get all of my seat space and that a neighboring passenger should not impinge on my purchased seat space or vice versa.

What I'd really like more is that the airlines be required (passengers' Bill of Rights) to have larger seats with a greater seat pitch. The movie theaters seem to be catching on with this matter but the airlines won't budge unless its part of regulation. I know when it was tried at TWA (my former company) it didn't last long as people are simply too price conscious. Therefore, we all tend to suffer.

Cheers! -- Rik

seating should accomodate the average customer, whatever size that is
determined to be by whatever agency is in charge to determine it.
however, since we're getting larger, that means fewer passengers and
therefore higher ticket prices. even then, some will need 2 seats.

Nonsense. It should accomodate an average person comfortably, and that
would leave a little extra to fit those who are a little larger
reasonably. If you are really concerned about seats fitting people or
people fitting seats comfortably the airlines could have different sized
seats, some small seats for children and small people, some for average
sized people and some for larger customers. By having some smaller seats
they could fit just as many people into a plane without losing any seating.

The solution is quite simple really:

You charge passenger by weight. And because obese passengers buy "more",
they get a bulk discount. So even though they weight much more, the
lower $$/kg cost will result in them actually paying less than lighter
passengers who pay the full $$/kg rate.

Actually, the solution is *not* that simple. No airline is going to set up
scales at their ticket counters.
Furthermore, my tickets are paid for and confirmed before any airline
employee sees me.

> Southwest Airlines has
> required passengers who can't put down their armrests to pay for an
> additional seat, to ensure (it says) that everyone has access to "safe and
> comfortable transportation." (The cost of the second seat can be refunded
> if the flight is not oversold.) Should every airline follow suit?

Depends on the plane and on the number of empty seats.

Years ago I flew to a Great Barrier Reef island on an 8-seat-plane. At
check-in they weighed my luggage (20 kgs), charged 15 Aussie dollars for 10
kgs overweight, and then they weighed me (then 55 kgs).

I tried to haggle, but it was no good. According to their rules, a
130-kg-fatso with 10 kgs of luggage was not charged any overweight, but
someone with 55 kgs plus 20 kgs luggage was.

The reason: all planes are loaded to the last permissible kilogram, because
all goods have to be flown out to the island.