Obese have right to two airline seats

[Cassie 8]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

Oh...hmmmm...I gained a lot of weight taking prednisone and not from eating cheeseburgers all day (I don't even like cheeseburgers). No one ever treated me differently. I think a lot (not all but a lot) of it is how you carrry yourself.

I'm a very confident person, but it still sucks to see the "ohmigod will she squish me" look flit over someone's face. And I have to say it's sad to see who here on VJ would be that type of person if I was to come up to them on a plane.

Edited November 24, 2008 by Cassie

[Amby 490]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

Oh...hmmmm...I gained a lot of weight taking prednisone and not from eating cheeseburgers all day (I don't even like cheeseburgers). No one ever treated me differently. I think a lot (not all but a lot) of it is how you carrry yourself.

I'm a very confident person, but it still sucks to see the "ohmigod will she squish me" look flit over someone's face. And I have to see it's sad to see who here on VJ would be that type of person if I was to come up to them on a plane.

I really had someone sit on me and squish me

[HAL 9000 96]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

You are right.

And at this point in time lots of the research I do in lab has to do mainly with secondary effects of generalized, ergo- voluntary, obesity in the Western World. But outside that mainly there's actual biological factors rooted in genetics.

[rocks 494]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

You are right.

And at this point in time lots of the research I do in lab has to do mainly with secondary effects of generalized, ergo- voluntary, obesity in the Western World. But outside that mainly there's actual biological factors rooted in genetics.

i totally agree that there are medical reasons why this can happen to people and i'm sorry if you took offense to anything i said.

i was sure about the woman i spoke of who made my trip hell because she didn't stop eating throughout the entire journey. obviously not everyone is like that and i certainly don't treat people any differently for how they look, that would be shallow.

[Cassie 8]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

Oh...hmmmm...I gained a lot of weight taking prednisone and not from eating cheeseburgers all day (I don't even like cheeseburgers). No one ever treated me differently. I think a lot (not all but a lot) of it is how you carrry yourself.

I'm a very confident person, but it still sucks to see the "ohmigod will she squish me" look flit over someone's face. And I have to see it's sad to see who here on VJ would be that type of person if I was to come up to them on a plane.

I really had someone sit on me and squish me

So have I, and the person in question was "regular" weight. It goes both ways!

My crossness isn't directed at you, Amby, FWIW, it's towards the throwaway comments by people about "lack of willpower" or "why should I have to pay for those who keep stuffing themselves with cheeseburgers" and the like. They make me very cranky!

[HAL 9000 96]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

You are right.

And at this point in time lots of the research I do in lab has to do mainly with secondary effects of generalized, ergo- voluntary, obesity in the Western World. But outside that mainly there's actual biological factors rooted in genetics.

i totally agree that there are medical reasons why this can happen to people and i'm sorry if you took offense to anything i said.

i was sure about the woman i spoke of who made my trip hell because she didn't stop eating throughout the entire journey. obviously not everyone is like that and i certainly don't treat people any differently for how they look, that would be shallow.

And there ARE eating disorders that have genetic roots as well. With secondary effects manifested in obesity. Until one has an actual series of gene screens done to find out IF one is predisposed to genetic obesity (of the various forms known to this point)... then I'll omit judging individuals in favor of noting that Western society has a disproportionate amount of obese individuals. Genetics can only account for a small percentage- and given lifestyle choices its not hard to see what can happen.

We either make plane seats bigger because we must out of comfort for all and charge the same for all, or make them bigger for all because there's a little bit of everything everywhere. Contrary to what statistical representations of Western societies say- and mainly Western societies of the North American brand.

[rocks 494]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

You are right.

And at this point in time lots of the research I do in lab has to do mainly with secondary effects of generalized, ergo- voluntary, obesity in the Western World. But outside that mainly there's actual biological factors rooted in genetics.

i totally agree that there are medical reasons why this can happen to people and i'm sorry if you took offense to anything i said.

i was sure about the woman i spoke of who made my trip hell because she didn't stop eating throughout the entire journey. obviously not everyone is like that and i certainly don't treat people any differently for how they look, that would be shallow.

And there ARE eating disorders that have genetic roots as well. With secondary effects manifested in obesity. Until one has an actual series of gene screens done to find out IF one is predisposed to genetic obesity (of the various forms known to this point)... then I'll omit judging individuals in favor of noting that Western society has a disproportionate amount of obese individuals. Genetics can only account for a small percentage- and given lifestyle choices its not hard to see what can happen.

We either make plane seats bigger because we must out of comfort for all and charge the same for all, or make them bigger for all because there's a little bit of everything everywhere. Contrary to what statistical representations of Western societies say- and mainly Western societies of the North American brand.

of course there are. there are many reasons for people being overweight. i know it can cause a lot of self conciousness about appearance and about themselves in general which is a terrible thing.

[LorriQ 0]

This just means that flight costs will increase as the Canadian carriers are losing revenue by having to give two seats for the price of one. Personally, I don't think I should have to pay more for a flight just because certain obese people refuse to eat less. How will an airline determine obesity? Will there be a fat measuring gadget at check-in? I think you are extremely selfish if your lack of willpower puts others at a financial disadvantage.

Maybe they will inquire as to your height and weight when you make your reservations.

Airline tickets priced per pound!

[PlatyPius 5]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

You are right.

And at this point in time lots of the research I do in lab has to do mainly with secondary effects of generalized, ergo- voluntary, obesity in the Western World. But outside that mainly there's actual biological factors rooted in genetics.

i totally agree that there are medical reasons why this can happen to people and i'm sorry if you took offense to anything i said.

i was sure about the woman i spoke of who made my trip hell because she didn't stop eating throughout the entire journey. obviously not everyone is like that and i certainly don't treat people any differently for how they look, that would be shallow.

And there ARE eating disorders that have genetic roots as well. With secondary effects manifested in obesity. Until one has an actual series of gene screens done to find out IF one is predisposed to genetic obesity (of the various forms known to this point)... then I'll omit judging individuals in favor of noting that Western society has a disproportionate amount of obese individuals. Genetics can only account for a small percentage- and given lifestyle choices its not hard to see what can happen.

We either make plane seats bigger because we must out of comfort for all and charge the same for all, or make them bigger for all because there's a little bit of everything everywhere. Contrary to what statistical representations of Western societies say- and mainly Western societies of the North American brand.

of course there are. there are many reasons for people being overweight. i know it can cause a lot of self conciousness about appearance and about themselves in general which is a terrible thing.

And when people point out their weight, or make fun of them for it, some people go to their shelter from stress/pain/sadness - food. It's an endless cycle.

One member called us "fatties". Do you not think we haven't heard that before? Do you think it will magically change us into skinny people if you call us that? Do you also call skinny people with Anorexia, "Skeletor"?

Edited November 24, 2008 by PlatyPius

[Mags 112]

That's Skeletor.

Edit: You edited! Not fair!

Edited November 24, 2008 by Magenta

[Amby 490]

my sister is really skinny and I curse her and tell her she's going to be fat one day and then tell her to go eat something...it's not her fault though...she has a bad esophagus

[HAL 9000 96]

Threads like this just tick me off.

Just sayin'.

Why?

The attitude displayed in this thread towards fat people -- ergo, myself -- makes me cross. Not everyone is fat because they eat hamburgers all day, not everyone is fat because they are lazy. And you know what? People like me are acutely aware of how people look at them when they realize that they are going to be sitting besides a fat person. It's not fun.

You are right.

And at this point in time lots of the research I do in lab has to do mainly with secondary effects of generalized, ergo- voluntary, obesity in the Western World. But outside that mainly there's actual biological factors rooted in genetics.

i totally agree that there are medical reasons why this can happen to people and i'm sorry if you took offense to anything i said.

i was sure about the woman i spoke of who made my trip hell because she didn't stop eating throughout the entire journey. obviously not everyone is like that and i certainly don't treat people any differently for how they look, that would be shallow.

And there ARE eating disorders that have genetic roots as well. With secondary effects manifested in obesity. Until one has an actual series of gene screens done to find out IF one is predisposed to genetic obesity (of the various forms known to this point)... then I'll omit judging individuals in favor of noting that Western society has a disproportionate amount of obese individuals. Genetics can only account for a small percentage- and given lifestyle choices its not hard to see what can happen.

We either make plane seats bigger because we must out of comfort for all and charge the same for all, or make them bigger for all because there's a little bit of everything everywhere. Contrary to what statistical representations of Western societies say- and mainly Western societies of the North American brand.

of course there are. there are many reasons for people being overweight. i know it can cause a lot of self conciousness about appearance and about themselves in general which is a terrible thing.

And when people point out their weight, or make fun of them for it, some people go to their shelter from stress/pain/sadness - food. It's an endless cycle.

One member called us "fatties". Do you not think we haven't heard that before? Do you think it will magically change us into skinny people if you call us that? Do you also call skinny people with Anorexia, "Skeletor"?

And this lady could be called Mumra

[Marilyn. 340]

Sometimes I think people don't even know what obese means. People who would be labeled obese you may be very surprised about because they won't look like the image you have in mind. Sure they may look overweight to you, but you can't always assume what obese means in the image way.

Obese is pretty much having a BMI > 30.

I am obese according to the BMI but I fit fine in an airplane seat.. I don't hang over the sides or anything

I know I am overweight... but I don't feel like I am obese..

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hmmm......It will surely dwindle profits for the airlines even further I expect.

[MrsCat 6]

In law school our Human Rights Law Prof arranged to have this lawyer come to our class and discuss her most recent cases. I remember initially thinking - making the airline provide two seats is outrageous. Following the lawyers presentation of her case about why it isn't that much of a cost and how the airlines have plenty of alternatives, I was totally for this ruling.

Obesity is a form of discrimination. And Cassie, I am sorry for having that look on my face. You're right. It isn't nice. And its usually just in my mind that sitting next to an overweight person is going to be uncomfortable. About three minutes into the ride, I completely forget my initial thought and enjoy the rest of the ride.

AirCanada has taken every measure in the past to increase cabin size and decrease comfort. I don't feel sorry for that miserable airline one bit.