Should large people have to buy two airplane seats for themselves?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well that's completely ridiculous. Nobody is going to ask people to buy 2 seats because of their race.

Agreed. They should buy 2 seats because they won't fit in the seat.

[Alex+R 0]

Well that's completely ridiculous. Nobody is going to ask people to buy 2 seats because of their race.

Agreed. They should buy 2 seats because they won't fit in the seat.

Oh my gosh, you remind me more and more of Charles every day!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You asked the question - I'm sorry that you don't like the answer, but I can hardly be dishonest about it.

Political correctness about being 'fair' to obese people isn't going to solve the problem that the seats aren't designed for them.

[Alex+R 0]

You asked the question - I'm sorry that you don't like the answer, but I can hardly be dishonest about it.

Political correctness about being 'fair' to obese people isn't going to solve the problem that the seats aren't designed for them.

It was the style of your post, not what you said, that reminded me of Charles. Pretty soon you will be referring to things as "such"!

But I asked the question, and it's not that I "didn't like your answer," and I half-agree with you. I do think you have some prejudices that you aren't willing to admit, but I don't think someone in your airplane seat is your responsibility. I was expecting disagreement, so I don't understand why you think I didn't like your answer, just because I don't agree with your style.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wouldn't call it prejudice - the question was framed in terms of obesity to begin with. Obviously there is a wide latitude in obesity - but if we're talking about an obese person in a position where one seat isn't enough, then it stands to reason that they're going to be impacting on their neighbours. Ultimately its a safety issue as much as it is about 'inconvenience'.

[Scott & Lai 12]

You asked the question - I'm sorry that you don't like the answer, but I can hardly be dishonest about it.

Political correctness about being 'fair' to obese people isn't going to solve the problem that the seats aren't designed for them.

It was the style of your post, not what you said, that reminded me of Charles. Pretty soon you will be referring to things as "such"!

But I asked the question, and it's not that I "didn't like your answer," and I half-agree with you. I do think you have some prejudices that you aren't willing to admit, but I don't think someone in your airplane seat is your responsibility. I was expecting disagreement, so I don't understand why you think I didn't like your answer, just because I don't agree with your style.

Alex, are you a licensed psychiatrist? I'm wondering just how it is you assume erekose has prejudices she is unwillng to admit. The issue is not liking or disliking obese people, it is strictly a question of whether they will fit in the seat they purchased, and what to do if they don't. I just don't get the assumptions running through this thread that there must be unadmitted prejudices behind people's views.

[SqdnGuns 21]

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Whatever comments were made I would certainly attach a "present company excluded" disclaimer to it. Its not like everyone I know has a perfect physique - but (surprisingly) "when are you going to lose some weight" doesn't factor into conversations I have. Its simply irrelevant to me.

That said its hard not to focus on it as a negative when you're stuck in an enclosed space with someone. As I said at the outset people are generally not happy when they fly-long haul coach class, in fact I don't know anyone who is. Approaching the argument from the mind-set of being in that situation is of course a little different to approaching it from a detached perspective and a desire to be politically correct. One is honest, the other is not.

I am a "he" BTW

[no name 1]

I just don't get the assumptions running through this thread that there must be unadmitted prejudices behind people's views.

Once again, as the Southwest lady(?) said, it's cuz I'm black or fat or a woman. Anything BUT admitting she is too.darn.fat!

[Scott & Lai 12]

I am a "he" BTW

Sorry Could have sworn I'd read otherwise a while back...must have you confused with someone else

[Alex+R 0]

Hm, no, I'm not a psychiatrist and I'm not reading into fish's emotions. I'm just reading into his anti-fat jokes throughout the thread. That's it!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Hm, no, I'm not a psychiatrist and I'm not reading into fish's emotions. I'm just reading into his anti-fat jokes throughout the thread. That's it!

I believe I mentioned "Jabba the Hut" and "Beach Ball" in connection with one or two people who inconvenienced me on several transatlantic and domestic flights. Again as I said - they were arseholes for reasons other than being overweight - I don't generally consider myself shallow enough to judge on appearances, but lets review. When you have a 300lb guy sit next to you (he's in the middle seat, you're in the window) who is:

1) Pressing you against the window, and then asks me to move over because he hasn't got enough room.

2) Grumbles and complains when you say you need the bathroom - refuses to get up, and finally puts his seat aaalll the way back (thereby pissing off the people behind) so I can clamber around him while trying not to pull the hair of the lady in front.

What words would best describe such a person? I can hardly expect to be sympathetic to his 'feelings' when he has all but ignored mine... And I would also suggest that when a person has shown themselves to be a complete ####### - that person's exterior tends to factor into your assessment of their already rotten character.

So hardly "anti" fat. And hardly "throughout the thread".

Perhaps I can ask again - why did you start this poll if you didn't think people would respond to the obese part in the wording of your question? There's a fairly heavy implication that the people we're talking about are overweight and that this is the reason they would need 2 seats... That is what people have responded to. And where have we gotten? That 'yes' they should buy more than 1 seat - you seemed to agree with this, unless I remember incorrectly.

[jundp 191]

I believe I mentioned "Jabba the Hut" and "Beach Ball" in connection with one or two people who inconvenienced me on several transatlantic and domestic flights. Again as I said - they were arseholes for reasons other than being overweight - I don't generally consider myself shallow enough to judge on appearances, but lets review. When you have a 300lb guy sit next to you (he's in the middle seat, you're in the window) who is:

1) Pressing you against the window, and then asks me to move over because he hasn't got enough room.

2) Grumbles and complains when you say you need the bathroom - refuses to get up, and finally puts his seat aaalll the way back (thereby pissing off the people behind) so I can clamber around him while trying not to pull the hair of the lady in front.

What words would best describe such a person? I can hardly expect to be sympathetic to his 'feelings' when he has all but ignored mine... And I would also suggest that when a person has shown themselves to be a complete ####### - that person's exterior tends to factor into your assessment of their already rotten character.

OMG! That dude was on my last flight to Germany!

I think the fact that we all suffer transatlantic (or transpacific or trans...anyway) flights for our loved one says enough about our relationship to make us all immediately qualify for the approval of our petitions. But I digress.

I am certainly not tiny, I'm a happy size 8/10 and though I'm not huge, I am terribly uncomfortable in those airplane seats, and I'm sure that at times my bum leaks over.. A heavier person may have a hard time with the seat size, but I don't think they should be required to purchase two seats...unless they "spill over" into another person's seat. There's a big difference b/n a bum slightly going over the "line" of the seats, and the guy described above (who really, I think was on my flight too). If they take up more than their own seat, then get two. Plus, they're more comfortable (and so is everyone else).

[tmma 467]

Haven't read this whole thread-so if I am repeating stuff already said apologies.....

If a large person needs 2 seats to safely fly then YES they should pay extra. Not only is the airline losing revenue on the extra seat by not charging them, but typically airlines charge cargo shippers by the weight of the item ( there is only so much weight an aircraft can carry)....The heavier the " cargo" the more the shipper gets charged...therefore it should be the same for passengers....They are shipping themselves from A to B. It should also be remembered that passengers are referred to as " the load" and the weight of them and their luggage is figured into the operating costs of the flight in question.

It makes economic sense that the more space you take up and weight you add the more you pay.

It's not discrimination, it's economics IMO.

Edited July 1, 2007 by tmma

[Ban Hammer 13,283]

Hm, no, I'm not a psychiatrist and I'm not reading into fish's emotions. I'm just reading into his anti-fat jokes throughout the thread. That's it!

i think you're being overly sensitive