United To Charge Heavier Passengers Twice To Fly

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Hm I wonder how they spot people... Honestly, I would be fine if everyone gets weighed at the check-in like the luggage does. Every single thing in the world if hauled on planes or ships gets charged by pound, why not people. I would not feel discriminated, it makes sense, each pound more is more expensive to transport. I wouldn't mind at all. And if I gain a lot of weight and it gets pricey, it would be quite the incentive for me to loose it, as I am stingy.

Yeah, but I can already see that going wrong - some people will starve themselves to get a cheaper ticket and then the airlines will be sued since they incouraged a harmful behaviour and on and on...plus muscles are more dense than fat, so a really muscular person with the same weight will have a smaller body frame than a person with lots of bodyfat.

I like the "fat people row" concept. I think they should offer regular seats for a regular price and larger seats for large people with an extra charge. With a disclaimer saying that if you book a regular seat and don't meet the requirements (needing a seatbelt extension or having to put up the armrest) you will have to "upgrade" to a larger seat and pay the fee for it.

So many things in the US seem to adjust to plus size people, why not adjust plane seats accodingly as well?

[Brit Abroad 166]

And so the insidious discrimination creeps just a little further every day ....

Ever wonder where it will stop? Smokers being taxed is nothing. Eventually hospitals will stop offering care to smokers, obese, diabetics .... anyone who could reasonably have been accused of contributing to their own condition.

The writing is on the wall .... it's only a matter of time. Choose your side wisely, lest you fall into the pit yourself.

If you think I'm joking, mark my words and look back in 20 years. There's a reason people stand up to be counted in protests against discrimination and prejudice. It isn't JUST for the immediate problem, but for where it has the potential to lead.

[Alex+R 0]

Have I become a meaner person? This time around I really don't think I have a problem with this.

I am shopping for plane tickets right now and having trouble finding an affordable one. That could be the motivation here.

Hm I wonder how they spot people... Honestly, I would be fine if everyone gets weighed at the check-in like the luggage does. Every single thing in the world if hauled on planes or ships gets charged by pound, why not people. I would not feel discriminated, it makes sense, each pound more is more expensive to transport. I wouldn't mind at all. And if I gain a lot of weight and it gets pricey, it would be quite the incentive for me to loose it, as I am stingy.

Yeah, but I can already see that going wrong - some people will starve themselves to get a cheaper ticket and then the airlines will be sued since they incouraged a harmful behaviour and on and on...plus muscles are more dense than fat, so a really muscular person with the same weight will have a smaller body frame than a person with lots of bodyfat.

I like the "fat people row" concept. I think they should offer regular seats for a regular price and larger seats for large people with an extra charge. With a disclaimer saying that if you book a regular seat and don't meet the requirements (needing a seatbelt extension or having to put up the armrest) you will have to "upgrade" to a larger seat and pay the fee for it.

So many things in the US seem to adjust to plus size people, why not adjust plane seats accodingly as well?

Oo I think I mentioned this idea in the last thread, or at least somewhere else in life. With a fat row, normal-sized people could buy the seats too if they just wanted more room. I think this is the ideal solution.

[tallcoolone 102]

Fat People Scare Me..............................

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Have I become a meaner person? This time around I really don't think I have a problem with this.

I am shopping for plane tickets right now and having trouble finding an affordable one. That could be the motivation here.

Hm I wonder how they spot people... Honestly, I would be fine if everyone gets weighed at the check-in like the luggage does. Every single thing in the world if hauled on planes or ships gets charged by pound, why not people. I would not feel discriminated, it makes sense, each pound more is more expensive to transport. I wouldn't mind at all. And if I gain a lot of weight and it gets pricey, it would be quite the incentive for me to loose it, as I am stingy.

Yeah, but I can already see that going wrong - some people will starve themselves to get a cheaper ticket and then the airlines will be sued since they incouraged a harmful behaviour and on and on...plus muscles are more dense than fat, so a really muscular person with the same weight will have a smaller body frame than a person with lots of bodyfat.

I like the "fat people row" concept. I think they should offer regular seats for a regular price and larger seats for large people with an extra charge. With a disclaimer saying that if you book a regular seat and don't meet the requirements (needing a seatbelt extension or having to put up the armrest) you will have to "upgrade" to a larger seat and pay the fee for it.

So many things in the US seem to adjust to plus size people, why not adjust plane seats accodingly as well?

Oo I think I mentioned this idea in the last thread, or at least somewhere else in life. With a fat row, normal-sized people could buy the seats too if they just wanted more room. I think this is the ideal solution.

Yes, I agree. Although I am not in need for a larger seat (yet! ), I would definitely spend a few hundered bucks extra to be able to sit more comfortably on long distance flights.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Have I become a meaner person? This time around I really don't think I have a problem with this.

I am shopping for plane tickets right now and having trouble finding an affordable one. That could be the motivation here.

Hm I wonder how they spot people... Honestly, I would be fine if everyone gets weighed at the check-in like the luggage does. Every single thing in the world if hauled on planes or ships gets charged by pound, why not people. I would not feel discriminated, it makes sense, each pound more is more expensive to transport. I wouldn't mind at all. And if I gain a lot of weight and it gets pricey, it would be quite the incentive for me to loose it, as I am stingy.

Yeah, but I can already see that going wrong - some people will starve themselves to get a cheaper ticket and then the airlines will be sued since they incouraged a harmful behaviour and on and on...plus muscles are more dense than fat, so a really muscular person with the same weight will have a smaller body frame than a person with lots of bodyfat.

I like the "fat people row" concept. I think they should offer regular seats for a regular price and larger seats for large people with an extra charge. With a disclaimer saying that if you book a regular seat and don't meet the requirements (needing a seatbelt extension or having to put up the armrest) you will have to "upgrade" to a larger seat and pay the fee for it.

So many things in the US seem to adjust to plus size people, why not adjust plane seats accodingly as well?

Oo I think I mentioned this idea in the last thread, or at least somewhere else in life. With a fat row, normal-sized people could buy the seats too if they just wanted more room. I think this is the ideal solution.

Don't they already have this though - there are subclasses on economy on some airlines: Premium Economy, for instance.

They don't call it the *fat* row, of course.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Private Pike

[DeadPoolX 9]

Have I become a meaner person? This time around I really don't think I have a problem with this.

I am shopping for plane tickets right now and having trouble finding an affordable one. That could be the motivation here.

Hm I wonder how they spot people... Honestly, I would be fine if everyone gets weighed at the check-in like the luggage does. Every single thing in the world if hauled on planes or ships gets charged by pound, why not people. I would not feel discriminated, it makes sense, each pound more is more expensive to transport. I wouldn't mind at all. And if I gain a lot of weight and it gets pricey, it would be quite the incentive for me to loose it, as I am stingy.

Yeah, but I can already see that going wrong - some people will starve themselves to get a cheaper ticket and then the airlines will be sued since they incouraged a harmful behaviour and on and on...plus muscles are more dense than fat, so a really muscular person with the same weight will have a smaller body frame than a person with lots of bodyfat.

I like the "fat people row" concept. I think they should offer regular seats for a regular price and larger seats for large people with an extra charge. With a disclaimer saying that if you book a regular seat and don't meet the requirements (needing a seatbelt extension or having to put up the armrest) you will have to "upgrade" to a larger seat and pay the fee for it.

So many things in the US seem to adjust to plus size people, why not adjust plane seats accodingly as well?

Oo I think I mentioned this idea in the last thread, or at least somewhere else in life. With a fat row, normal-sized people could buy the seats too if they just wanted more room. I think this is the ideal solution.

Don't they already have this though - there are subclasses on economy on some airlines: Premium Economy, for instance.

They don't call it the *fat* row, of course.

United has a seating class above Economy, but under Business/First. It's called Economy Plus. I'm not kidding. The funny thing about that is I bet some people will take the "plus" part of it to mean "plus sized."

[Niels Bohr 72]

I think most fat ####### people prefer the 1st class anyway. In their mind, they are probably thinking "Oh God, I will die if I'm squeezed like jelly"

[HannahP 119]

Do I get a half-price ticket if I only take up half a seat?

Why not double up, and join the mile high club at the same time? A darkened cabin, and a strategically placed blanket...

I believe my husband would love to subscribe to your newsletter!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think most fat ####### people prefer the 1st class anyway. In their mind, they are probably thinking "Oh God, I will die if I'm squeezed like jelly"

I think *most* people would prefer first class, if it were a realistic option. I don't know about you - but economy class seating isn't exactly my idea of a fun time.

The Supreme Court I believe has already ruled that airlines are exempt from prosecution if you suffer a deep vein thrombosis on a long haul flight, and essentially shrugged off any connection between DVT (rare as it is) and cramped economy class seating.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I think most fat ####### people prefer the 1st class anyway. In their mind, they are probably thinking "Oh God, I will die if I'm squeezed like jelly"

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

that's gonna be a fun job - airline fat police

Edited April 16, 2009 by charles!

[Nessa 23]

if it bothers people, fly another airline. it's just united.

[DeadPoolX 9]

if it bothers people, fly another airline. it's just united.

Very true. Even more importantly, other airlines will make a point of passengers knowing they don't discriminate based on weight or overall size.

I've flown United before and it's not bad. I prefer Continental and Air Canada (sometimes West Jet as well). I like Air Canada the best, simply because each passenger gets their own interactive video screen. I like being able to choose what I watch.

[Craneman 2]

Have I become a meaner person? This time around I really don't think I have a problem with this.

I am shopping for plane tickets right now and having trouble finding an affordable one. That could be the motivation here.

Hm I wonder how they spot people... Honestly, I would be fine if everyone gets weighed at the check-in like the luggage does. Every single thing in the world if hauled on planes or ships gets charged by pound, why not people. I would not feel discriminated, it makes sense, each pound more is more expensive to transport. I wouldn't mind at all. And if I gain a lot of weight and it gets pricey, it would be quite the incentive for me to loose it, as I am stingy.

Yeah, but I can already see that going wrong - some people will starve themselves to get a cheaper ticket and then the airlines will be sued since they incouraged a harmful behaviour and on and on...plus muscles are more dense than fat, so a really muscular person with the same weight will have a smaller body frame than a person with lots of bodyfat.

I like the "fat people row" concept. I think they should offer regular seats for a regular price and larger seats for large people with an extra charge. With a disclaimer saying that if you book a regular seat and don't meet the requirements (needing a seatbelt extension or having to put up the armrest) you will have to "upgrade" to a larger seat and pay the fee for it.

So many things in the US seem to adjust to plus size people, why not adjust plane seats accodingly as well?

Oo I think I mentioned this idea in the last thread, or at least somewhere else in life. With a fat row, normal-sized people could buy the seats too if they just wanted more room. I think this is the ideal solution.

Don't they already have this though - there are subclasses on economy on some airlines: Premium Economy, for instance.

They don't call it the *fat* row, of course.

The seats are all the same size in "Coach" no matter how much you pay for the tickets.

Everyone on the plane cries when you see one of these people come on board, everyone, sees them, they struggle to get down the aisle between the seats.