Should morbidly obese folks pay more to fly?

caseyp1122

It's an interesting debate that I read the other day. With Airlines charging you to fly with 1 bag and in most cases charging you out of the wazoo for going over the weight limit for that one bag ($60-$100) someone brought up the point of why should they pay the same price to fly as someone who is obese/morbidly obese. The debate then made it's way into talking about Airlines charging more for heavier bags because on top of making the obvious profit they have to pay for so much fuel in order to transport so much weight, etc etc etc. These were just interesting points people were making. Some used good logic, others were just going off pure fallacies. What's your thought? Should obese and/or morbidly obese people pay more to fly?

deeharley

If they overflow the seat by a certain number of inches, they should have to buy two seats.

But I heard the baggage charges are less about the actual fuel/weight blah blah blah, than about the fact that they pay tax on tickets, but not on checked baggage.

bethvandenberg

I do believe that obese people have to buy two seats to fit so they're paying. My question is if the obese person buys two tickets do they get four carryons?

caseyp1122

If they overflow the seat by a certain number of inches, they should have to buy two seats.

But I heard the baggage charges are less about the actual fuel/weight blah blah blah, than about the fact that they pay tax on tickets, but not on checked baggage.

Yea, I think the person who used the fuel as a talking point brings up a good point. It seems like it would be cheaper fuel wise to fly a plane full of 180 pound men and women versus a plane full of 300 pound persons, even after the airline makes its over inflated profit

yesiamaduck

I always feel really bad saying this, but yes... I believe they should UNLESS it's caused by a medical condition

caseyp1122

I do believe that obese people have to buy two seats to fit so they're paying. My question is if the obese person buys two tickets do they get four carryons?

Interesting, I have not heard of this actually occurring. I feel like if an airline did this wouldn't they be facing lawsuits currently?

Addicted2carbs

But lets admit, they sure make those damn plane seats small

caseyp1122

But lets admit, they sure make those damn plane seats small

Absolutely agree. I'm 6'2 and my knees are always jammed into the seat in front of me

Health_Gal

The airlines are selling space. So if you a passenger takes up more space than can fit in one seat, they should have to pay more. But they should also be allowed the same luggage as 2 people.

SunshineKisses_2012

I used to be that person as I was blessed with hips and *kitten*. I never actually sat next to anyone but my son (and the window), so it never became an issue....HOWEVER, with that said, when I was in high school and running track and a LOT more toned, I had to sit next to someone that well over flowed the seat (both above and below the arm rest) and it was horrible. Moving was not an option it was just uncomfortable. I didn't say anything to her because, well, how do you? "Excuse me, will you remove your fat roll from my seat?" Aside from that, I know she was just as uncomfortable as I was, so there really wasn't any point in saying anything. It would have made her feel bad and I would have felt worse.

I do believe that if someone is obese enough to flow into the next seat by, say 3 inches or more, then yes, they should have to pay for a second seat, or they should be relocated to a row where there is an extra seat that is not being used for the duration of the flight. I personally like the second option rather than the first for financial reasons.

Figuringoutme

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

caseyp1122

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

thirtyandthriving

I do believe that obese people have to buy two seats to fit so they're paying. My question is if the obese person buys two tickets do they get four carryons?

Yes exactly. You should get bags for how ever many seats you purchase. The only high point to having to pay for my toddler to have her own seat. 2 seats 4 bags 4 carry-ons!!

veganbaum

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

What would their claim be?

Contrarian

It could be argued, then, that thin people should pay less, or that airfares should be tiered, according to weight.

caseyp1122

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

What would their claim be?

Seems discrimination is the hot topic to sue people on so I would assume that?

AshDHart

I have no problem being told I have to buy two seats if I can't fit into one. My only problem is that if I travel with another large person who would overflow their seat why we can't share the extra seat and purchase 3 tickets. If we can both fit in the space of 3 seats no need to make us purchase 4. Or if I am traveling with my very small child I could in theory overflow into their seat that they aren't even filling up. One airlines FAQ says you can't do it because the child has the right to their entire seat. I know when I traveled with young children they snuggled up tight anyway. They really didn't want or need their entire seat! :happy:

Now, if you want to make this based purely on weight then that is a different story. That really levels it out. If it's due to fuel charges then weigh everyone and charge based on weight. Everyone might start worrying about a large meal before flying!

yesiamaduck

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

Seems discrimination is the hot topic to sue people on so I would assume that?

Not really though, you have to pay more to send a parcel that weighs more, as long as the discrimination is justifiable then I don't think anything can be done. It's just too much hassle to put in place

AshDHart

It could be argued, then, that thin people should pay less, or that airfares should be tiered, according to weight.

Logic you haz some. :bigsmile:

veganbaum

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

What would their claim be?

Seems discrimination is the hot topic to sue people on so I would assume that?

But if the airlines are charging per seat, and a MORBIDLY obese person is charged for two because they take up two, seems like no claim. If we're talking just about the morbidly obese, if they overflow and someone has a seat next to them and can't fit - then what? The morbidly obese person is taking up two seats for the price of one while that second seat goes unsold. Even being next to an overweight person can be very, very uncomfortable in those small seats, but they still fit. If you can't fit in a seat with both arm rests down, seems like you should have to pay for the spot that could have gone to another customer. Doesn't seem like a claim. People might cry discrimination, but that doesn't mean it is - if they are using the product (seat), they should have to pay for it.

caseyp1122

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

What would their claim be?

Seems discrimination is the hot topic to sue people on so I would assume that?

But if the airlines are charging per seat, and a MORBIDLY obese person is charged for two because they take up two, seems like no claim. If we're talking just about the morbidly obese, if they overflow and someone has a seat next to them and can't fit - then what? The morbidly obese person is taking up two seats for the price of one while that second seat goes unsold. Even being next to an overweight person can be very, very uncomfortable in those small seats, but they still fit. If you can't fit in a seat with both arm rests down, seems like you should have to pay for the spot that could have gone to another customer. Doesn't seem like a claim. People might cry discrimination, but that doesn't mean it is - if they are using the product (seat), they should have to pay for it.

I hear ya man. I am in no way advocating either position, just playing devils advocate to provoke thought.

jb_2011

I took a flight today and noticed several HUGE people checking in. I was wondering the same thing, do they have to pay for two seats? Not sure.

tbhoover

The airlines are selling space. So if you a passenger takes up more space than can fit in one seat, they should have to pay more. But they should also be allowed the same luggage as 2 people.

I agree with this.

If a person takes up the space of 2 seats its not really fair to other passengers to be squished like that. With that being said I think if the flight isnt full and there are extra seats then no harm no foul and the larger person shouldnt have to pay for an extra seat that would otherwise be empty.

veganbaum

They will make you buy 2 tickets.

I have seen on the news multiple times that people have been kicked off the plane even kids.

Did they/are they facing litigation? I have heard of this happening and assumed someone would get sue happy.

What would their claim be?

Seems discrimination is the hot topic to sue people on so I would assume that?

But if the airlines are charging per seat, and a MORBIDLY obese person is charged for two because they take up two, seems like no claim. If we're talking just about the morbidly obese, if they overflow and someone has a seat next to them and can't fit - then what? The morbidly obese person is taking up two seats for the price of one while that second seat goes unsold. Even being next to an overweight person can be very, very uncomfortable in those small seats, but they still fit. If you can't fit in a seat with both arm rests down, seems like you should have to pay for the spot that could have gone to another customer. Doesn't seem like a claim. People might cry discrimination, but that doesn't mean it is - if they are using the product (seat), they should have to pay for it.

I hear ya man. I am in no way advocating either position, just playing devils advocate to provoke thought.

I understand you weren't advocating it. Just saying that just because people want to cry discrimination, and get sue happy, doesn't mean that they can. If there is no legal claim, thy can cry all they want, still won't give them the right to sue. You can't go to court unless there's at least a minimum to a claim met.

veganbaum

That quote's just way too long now, lol.